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Mum’s simple hack for cleaning Dyson filters will change your life

Why is my vacuum turning on and off?

When it comes to household cleaning, vacuum cleaners do a lot of the heavy lifting. But if you’ve never cleaned your vacuum’s filters, it might not be working at its best level – as many people found when one woman took to social media to share the importance of cleaning Dyson filters.

“If your vacuum sounds like this… the solution might be as simple as cleaning the filter,” said Kait (@acleanbee), who regularly shares cleaning tips with her Instagram followers. 

Although it’s your vacuum’s job to do all the cleaning in your home, it turns out your vacuum, specifically the filter, needs some TLC every now and again, too. 

Why you need to clean a Dyson filter

The Kait is referring to is the Dyson vacuum turning on and off quickly while trying to vacuum. 

This happens when the particles collected in your vacuum build up in the filter, blocking the airflow. 

The Dyson website states, “The filter captures microscopic dust, which can accumulate and affect performance.”

This video has been liked over 9,000 times – with many of her fans saying they thought their vacuum was broken. 

“We were about to throw our Dyson OUT! Cleaned the top filter, and boom, works like new,” one person wrote.

Another added: “This is so helpful. My Dyson has been doing this a lot lately! Thank you for sharing!”

“I had the same problem. I don’t know why, but I decided to wash that filter, and it worked fine. Been doing it ever since,” revealed another. 

How often should you clean a Dyson filter?

According to information on the Dyson website, you should clean your filters at least once a month.

Help maintain suction by washing the filter at least once a month, or more frequently if used heavily,” Dyson states.

The two filters that need to be cleaned in a dyson vacuum
The Dyson filter after cleaning (Credit: Instagram/@acleanbee)

How to clean Dyson filters in your vacuum cleaner

While the filters may look different depending on the Dyson vacuum cleaner model you have, you’ll typically be able to use these steps to clean them.

1. Take out the Dyson filters

Remove filter A from the top of the vacuum and twist off the second filter at the back of your Dyson machine.

2. Eliminate excess dust

Lightly tap the filters to dislodge any loose dust or debris.

3. Clean the top filter

Remove the long purple filter from the top of your machine. Hold it under running water, gently squeezing it until it clears. Squeeze and twist the filter to remove excess water.

4. Clean the back filter 

Another filter can be found at the back of the vacuum. Remove and run under cold water, repeating until the water runs clear. Shake the filter vigorously until no water remains.

5. Allow filters to dry for 24+ hours

Place the filters in a well-ventilated, warm space for at least 24 hours to ensure they are completely dry. To prevent motor damage, the filters must be thoroughly dry before reinserting them into the machine.

6. Reattach the filters

Push the first filter back into the top of the machine. Screw the second filter clockwise onto the back of your Dyson machine.

If you need more assistance, step-by-step instructions with images can be found on the Dyson website.

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