How to Clean a Bagless Vacuum Cleaner and Keep It Allergy-Free

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

As with all appliances, maintenance is an integral part of owning a bagless vacuum cleaner. In this article, we’re here to show you how to clean a bagless vacuum cleaner so you can use it without any troubles.

There are many benefits to a bagless vacuum, including not having to replace the bag each time the vacuum needs a clean. Below are some ways to regularly maintain your bagless vacuum cleaner and to improve its longevity.

The Basics

Before we get into any nitty-gritty detail, let’s run over the basics of cleaning your bagless vacuum.

Emptying the Bin

Remove the dust bin after each cleaning session. Most vacuums will come with a maximum fill line for the bin, but it’s best not to let dirt or debris get close to this line in the first place.

If it does start to get full, you’ll notice that the vacuum’s suction power might have reduced. In fact, if you notice that the vacuum has become blocked, first switch it off and unplug it at the electrical socket. You can then tease any blockages in the vacuum tube using tweezers or a small, thin stick. Undo the hose and examine the entrance to the vacuum to inspect for further debris or dust that could be clogged inside.

Sometimes, you might not be able to reach or see in the hose, even when using tools. For these occasions, we recommend using a compressed air can. These are typically used to clean parts of a computer that you can’t access but still require a clean. You can use a can of compressed air to reach those nooks and crannies that are a little more tricky to clean.

Pro-Tip: Make sure the hose is dry before you begin this process.

Cleaning the Filters

To clean your machine, you’ll need to remove the filter and wash it with warm soapy water. Begin by removing the filter from the vacuum, and tap it against a hard surface to remove any stubborn dust and debris that might be clinging to the filter. You don’t need cloth during this step.

Fortunately, many vacuum cleaner filters are washable, so you can easily clean the filter and remove dust using just warm water. Check the manual for tips on how to clean the filter before diving straight in. But, in most cases, you’ll need to soak the filter in warm water and then leave it to air dry before you place it back into the vacuum.

Brush Heads Look Worn

Regularly using your vacuum cleaner is bound to lead to worn brush heads that are filled with hair and threads. If your vacuum’s brush heads become jammed, cut any threads that you can visibly see with scissors. This is a better action than pulling the hair because doing so can lead to debris getting more trapped in the vacuum’s brush heads. But be careful that you don’t cut the bristles.

Fortunately, some vacuums have brush heads that feature indents where you can guide the scissors without cutting the bristles. Once you’ve done this step and the brush head doesn’t have any electrical elements, clean the brush head in the water to rinse any stuck-on dust and remaining hair. Ensure that it is thoroughly dry before you add it back to your vacuum cleaner.

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A Smelly Aroma

Sometimes your bagless vacuum can create a smelly aroma in the air after you’ve used it. If this happens, it’s time to clean the inside of the vacuum, so it smells fresh and doesn’t extract pieces of dirt into the air while you’re cleaning.

Give the vacuum house a wipe to remove any excess dust that’s stuck onto the housing. Once you’ve done this, it’s time to check the inside of the vacuum cleaner. Check if there aren’t any big particles inside of the canister. If so, empty them into your kitchen waste. Take some water and mix it with soap in your sink. Pour this mixture into the vacuum (making sure that it’s not connected to a plug at this point). Use a cloth to wipe around the inside of the machine and remove any stubborn dust that is lingering on the surface. Then pour the water down the sink and allow the bagless vacuum to dry before you place the bin back onto the vacuum and use it again.

FAQ

To settle some doubts, we’ve answered a few commonly asked questions below.

How often should you clean your vacuum cleaner?

It’s important to keep on top of cleaning your bagless vacuum to avoid issues. Rather than waiting for the canister to fill up, clean the bin and filter regularly. Get into a habit of removing the bin after each cleaning session. Or every other time you clean your home. At the very least, you should empty the dust bin when it’s halfway. Doing so at this point allows you to throw away any build-up of germs and bacteria that would otherwise be sitting inside of your vacuum and then released into your home each time you clean.

How often should you clean the filter?

You shouldn’t need to clean your filter after every use. But aim to soak it in soapy water at least once a month. This process is simple, and the filter will be thoroughly dry overnight and sooner if you allow it to dry near an open window.

How often should you deep clean the vacuum?

Aim to clean the hose and interior of the vacuum cleaner at least once a year (or more often if you notice that it’s lost its suction power or you can see a build-up of debris inside of the canister). Generally speaking, every 12 months is a good amount of time for improving the longevity of your vacuum while keeping it in tip-top condition.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Vacuum

So what’s the big deal with maintenance? Well, a dirty and poor-quality appliance won’t do a good job of cleaning. For example, filters separate dust and air. And over time, dust can tap onto the filter, which can make it more difficult to do its job. In fact, this is why you can see bagless vacuums leaving bits of dust around the room. Clean the filter, and it won’t do that.

Another important reason is to keep its sucking power at its best. When dust and debris become clogged in the machine, it won’t be a powerful tool anymore. It becomes less efficient as you need to spend more time cleaning your floors to go over the areas that the vacuum missed.

The Benefits of a Bagless Unit

There are many benefits to choosing a bagless vacuum cleaner over one with a bag. Let’s take a look at the top reasons to choose a bagless machine.

No Baggage

The best part of a bagless unit is that you don’t need to spend time and money on replacements. You don’t have the hassle of changing the bags frequently. Not only is this task tedious, but you can often spill dust particles onto the floor during the process, resulting in you having to clean up the mess. Fortunately, there’s none of that with a bagless unit.

Canisters Are Easy to Empty

The canisters of a bagless machine are easy to empty because you need to release them from the vacuum and snap the lid back on once it’s empty. However, you might need to be careful with not spreading allergies when emptying the canister into the kitchen main. If you suffer from allergies, search for HEPA filters, which reduce the spread.

A Friendly Reminder

If you’re completely confident with how to clean a bagless vacuum cleaner, please share your maintenance tips and favourite cleaners or vac in the comments below. These devices are an investment, so you should learn how to take care of one properly.