Need to clean your Shark WV200UK’s HEPA filter? Here’s how to remove and clean the filter without damaging it.
The Shark WV200UK has a HEPA filter to prevent dust and dirt from escaping into the air when vacuuming. It’s important to keep the filter clean, as any clogging could reduce the vacuum’s suction and performance.
In this article, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to removing and cleaning the Shark WV200UK’s filter. We’ve also included pictures to make it easy to see how to perform each step.
1. Empty The Shark WV200UK
Before you can remove the filter, you’ll need to empty the Shark vacuum.
We’ve written a full guide to emptying the Shark WV200UK, but the process is straightforward:
- Hold the vacuum over a bin so that the dust cup will hinge down into the bin.
- Press the bin opening slider to allow dirt, dust, and other debris to fall into the bin.
- Gently clean the dust bristles on the dust cup with a soft, dry cloth.
Don’t close the vacuum’s dust cup once you’ve emptied it. Leave it hinged down, as the cup needs to be in this position to remove the filter.
2. Slide Out The Filter
With the dust cup open, use the tab pictured above to slide the filter housing forward. You should then be able to remove the housing from the vacuum.
Once the housing has been removed, use the metal handle to pull out the filter.
As you can see from the image above, the HEPA filter should now be completely removed from both the filter housing and the vacuum.
3. Tap Off Dirt and Debris
If the filter only has a light covering of dirt and dust, you may be able to clean it by tapping it over a bin.
We recommend tapping off the filter into an outdoor bin to avoid dust and other allergens escaping into the home. If you suffer from allergies, make sure you ask someone else in the household to do this.
4. (Optional) Wash With Warm Water
For heavier clogging, you’ll need to wash the filter. Run it under a lukewarm tap and use your hands to remove any dirt that’s caught on the filter’s surface.
It’s important to only use lukewarm water when rinsing the filter. Using hot water or cleaning products could cause permanent damage to the filter.
When you wash the filter with water, it’s vital that you allow at least 24 hours for it to fully dry before re-inserting it in the filter housing.
If you replace the filter before it’s dry, the housing becomes the perfect environment for mould to grow. There’s also a risk of water entering the vacuum’s motor, which can cause permanent damage.
Tip: You can also wash the filter housing with warm water. Don’t use hot water, a dishwasher, or cleaning products for any components of the Shark WV200UK though.
5. Replace The Filter
The final step is to reinsert the filter back into the filter housing, so that the metal handle is still visible. You can then slide the filter back into its proper position.
Congratulations, you’ve just cleaned your Shark WV200UK’s filter! It’s now ready to use again – hopefully with its suction strength and performance restored to normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Clean The WV200UK Filter?
We recommend cleaning filters at least once per month. This should maintain your vacuum’s suction without being too time-consuming. However, if you notice your vacuum’s suction power dropping, you may need to clean the filters more regularly.
Can You Buy Replacement Filters?
Yes, Shark sells replacement filters for the WV200UK. You should replace the filter if it’s been damaged or is too heavily soiled to clean.
Summary
The Shark WV200UK’s is straightforward to remove and clean. Here’s a recap of the process:
- Empty the vacuum and leave the hinged dust cup open.
- Slide out the filter housing.
- Pull out the filter from inside the housing using the metal handle.
- Tap off loose dirt and debris into a bin.
- (Optional) Rinse the filter in lukewarm water. You should only handwash the filter and never use any detergents or cleaning products.
- If you’ve rinsed it, allow the filter at least 24 hours to dry fully before you reinsert it into the housing.
- Replace the filter into the housing and slide the housing back onto the vacuum.
Do you have any questions about how to clean the filter on a Shark WV200UK? Please let us know in the comments section.