How To Clean Shark Vacuum?

Shark vacuums are well-known in the market, and for good reasons. These vacuum cleaners will work incredibly well, so long as you clean them regularly.

You should clean your Shark vacuum at least once a year or more frequently if you’re a heavy user. Focus your efforts on cleaning the dust canister, filters, brush roll, and hose to maximize the vacuum’s performance. Also, be sure to give the vacuum exterior a wipe-down to keep the appliance looking its best.

This guide will walk you through the different Shark vacuum components you should clean regularly and the methods you can use.

How Do I Clean My Shark Vacuum?

It’s crucial to give your Shark vacuum a thorough cleaning every once in a while. That kind of deep clean ensures that all of its parts work as efficiently as possible, giving you the best cleaning experience you could hope for.

It’s very beneficial to approach your Shark vacuum deep cleaning in an organized way. Doing so ensures that you clean all the most crucial parts and don’t miss anything. 

Read: Shark Vacuum Won’t Turn On

Here are the different Shark vacuum components to clean, in no particular order:

#1 Dust Canister

As your Shark vacuum sucks in all the dirt, dust, and other debris, it’ll deposit everything into a dust canister. This is the final resting place of all that dust, so it’ll get full pretty quickly if you’re cleaning a filthy area.

Unfortunately, a dust canister that’s full of dirt will reduce optimal airflow, causing your Shark vacuum to quickly lose its suction power. That’s why the dust canister is undoubtedly one of the most important parts for you to clean regularly.

To clean the dust canister on your Shark vacuum, start by removing it from the appliance. Then, empty all the dust inside into your garbage bin or a plastic bag that you can tie up. You must seal the bag immediately, as a lot of the fine dust will spread in the air that you breathe into your lungs.

Once you’ve emptied the dust canister, you can also wash it to remove any leftover dust. Again, warm soapy water and a sponge are good enough to get that canister looking brand new.

After washing it, leave it to air dry for at least 24 hours. Don’t reattach it to your Shark vacuum just yet, because you want any moisture it has to evaporate naturally.

Read: Shark Vacuum Suction Problems

#2 Filters

All Shark vacuum models rely on one or more filters inside the appliance. Vacuum filters come in many different forms, like standard felt filters and High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

Regardless of their type, they have one specific purpose: to remove impurities from the air that passes through the vacuum, ensuring that they don’t clog critical components like the motor.

After several times using the vacuum, these filters quickly saturate with dirt and dust. As that saturation worsens, the filters will start to restrict airflow through them. That’s why you must clean your Shark vacuum filters regularly and replace them when they become worn out.

To clean your Shark vacuum filters, first, locate and identify them. Then, you can refer to the user manual to find the filters unique to your vacuum model.

Then, remove those filters and tap them gently over a trash can to remove large pieces of dirt. You shouldn’t wash filters made of felt, as that could damage them. Instead, focus on brushing off as much dirt from their surface as possible.

However, foam filters and HEPA filters are safe to wash. Just use warm soapy water to clean them thoroughly. Then, let those filters air dry for at least 24 hours so all the moisture can evaporate.

Read: Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting

#3 Brush Roll

If your Shark vacuum model has a brush roll, you must clean that part thoroughly as well. This is the part that comes into direct contact with the floor, so you can bet that it’s very dirty. After all, it traps plenty of hair and dust as it brushes against your floor or carpet.

Depending on how long it has been since the last clean, it’s likely that there’s a thick layer of dirt wrapping around the brush roll. Unfortunately, untangling that layer is next to impossible to do, but thankfully there’s a simple hack to help remove it.

Take a pair of scissors and cut through the thick layer around the brush roll. Be careful not to accidentally cut through the bristles on the roll as you do that. Once you’ve cut all the way through, you can start pulling dirt and hair out, piece by piece.

With the large layer gone, you can use a brush to remove any leftover dirt and soak the brush in water. Then, as usual, let the brush roll air dry for at least 24 hours before using it in your vacuum again.

Read: Why Shark Vacuum Brush Roll Indicator Light Is Not On

#4 Hose

The next part to pay attention to is your Shark vacuum’s hose. When the vacuum picks up dust, that dust will move through the hose on its way to the canister. Unfortunately, dust can get stuck inside along the way and gradually cause a buildup.

As that build-up becomes more severe, airflow through the hose and the vacuum’s overall suction power will become weaker. That’s why cleaning the hose is a good idea, even if you don’t think there’s anything stuck inside.

Thankfully, the cleaning process is very straightforward. Start by detaching the hose at both ends and taking it out to your garden or bathroom. Next, use a hose to spray water in one end of the vacuum hose at a time and flush out anything stuck inside.

Repeat the process from both ends of the vacuum hose to ensure that you dislodge any trapped dirt or debris inside. Then, let the hose air dry at least until the next day.

Read: 4 Reasons Why Shark Vacuum Is Making Noise

#5 Final Exterior Wipe-Down

After cleaning all parts mentioned above and letting them dry thoroughly, it’s time to reassemble your Shark vacuum. But wait, there’s one more part to clean!

Be sure to give your Shark vacuum an excellent exterior wipe-down to remove any dust or stains on the outside of the appliance. 

Doing so will ensure that your Shark vacuum looks as good as it can as you push it around to clean your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some other frequently asked questions (FAQs) you might have about cleaning your Shark vacuum.

How Often Should You Clean A Shark Vacuum?

You should give your Shark vacuum a thorough cleaning at least once a year. However, you must clean it more frequently if you use the appliance heavily. With that said, the dust canister is an exception. You should empty and clean that part weekly to maximize your vacuum’s airflow and suction.

What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Shark Vacuum Often?

When you don’t clean your Shark vacuum regularly enough, dust will accumulate inside the dust canister. Besides, buildups and blockages can also occur in parts like filters and hoses. All of that dust will restrict airflow through your Shark vacuum, causing it to lose suction power.

How Do You Clean The Hose On A Shark Vacuum?

Cleaning the hose on a Shark vacuum is very straightforward. First, detach it at both ends and take it outside. Then, use a garden hose or something similar to flush out all dirt inside the hose. To be thorough, be sure to repeat the process at both ends of the hose.

Can You Wash The Canister On A Shark Vacuum?

Yes, you can wash your Shark vacuum canister with warm water and soap. However, you must give it at least 24 hours to air dry before reattaching it to your vacuum. That way, all moisture will evaporate before you reuse the canister.

Can You Rinse A Shark HEPA Filter?

Yes, you can rinse a Shark HEPA filter, as long as you give it enough time to dry. 24 hours is the rule of thumb to ensure that all moisture has dried up and air can flow through the HEPA filter without any problems.