November 5, 2020
How to Quickly Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner
Cleaning a vacuum cleaner seems more complicated than it actually is. A couple tools and 15 minutes and you’ll have a clean and like new vacuum cleaner. Try this simple step-by-step and you’ll most likely notice that your vacuum works better and runs more smoothly. Do this little routine monthly and you’ll be extending the life of your vacuum cleaner.
Note: Always follow the instructions that come with your vacuum cleaner, this blog post is merely a guide. Pictured and used in this post and in my home are my Miele vacuum cleaners – I wholeheartedly recommend them. I love using a bagged vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration – it makes a huge difference! If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaners, head to this post for my favorites at all price points and brands.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:
- garbage bag
- old scissors or seam ripper
- cotton pads
- rubbing alcohol
- cleaning cloths – I use microfiber cleaning cloths for this
Step 1: Empty the canister in a garbage bag or remove and dispose of vacuum cleaner bag.
Step 2: Take everything apart that can be taken apart to ensure you get everything cleaned properly.
Step 3: Use a scissors or seam ripper to carefully cut hair/string/yarn/whatever is tangled up in the beater bar of your vacuum cleaner.
Step 4: Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton pad and then rub that on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner to disinfect it. This will dry instantly and disinfect your vacuum. If this sounds a little extreme, it’s important to disinfect the bottom of the vacuum cleaner because that travels all over your house and is most likely the dirtiest part of the vacuum cleaner (next to what’s inside the canister or bag).
Step 5: If you can wash or wipe out a canister, wash or wipe it. Make sure it’s completely dry before you return it to the vacuum cleaner. Take the time to wipe and clean the seals as well.
Step 6: Completely wipe down the entire vacuum cleaner with a damp microfiber cloth. You add a little spritz of your favorite all-purpose cleaner to the cloth to give it a little extra cleaning oomph if you’d like.
Step 7: Change or clean any filters following the manufacturer’s directions. If your filter is one that can be washed out, but make sure that it’s completely dry before returning it to your machine. Mold can grow in the machine and you don’t want that.
Step 8: Over the top tip – If you have any scuff marks from your woodwork, you can quickly remove scuff marks with rubbing alcohol on your microfiber cloth. This is great if for any reason you want your vacuum cleaner to look like new – great idea for a garage sale spruce up. You can apply this tip other places too – have a paint scuff on your car door (not a scratch or dent, a scuff), put a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and you’ll see the scuff disappear.
When was the last time you cleaned your vacuum cleaner? Ready to give your vacuum cleaner a deep cleaning?
Diane Says
Well sure, when I bought my new Shark, the instructions read to clean the filters monthly so heck I clean the whole thing w/ cleanser and water. I’ll use rubbing alcohol from now on, though.I never thought of that!!
Theresa Montaldo Says
So, I’ll give everyone a quick laugh. As a police officer I drove for a living. We have a beautiful Ruby red Expedition Max. I backed it right into the propane tank. All that’s left is a little smudge on the trim, just like the trim on the dead pig (my canister vac). Next time hubby leaves “Ruby” at home with me I’m gonna try the rubbing alcohol trick on the trim! Then the booboo will go away! Of course, I’ll test a little area first.
Cortnee Sidle Says
I’ve never thought to clean our vacuum. I for sure will start cleaning it now! Thank you!
Bernie J Says
Since bags aren’t cheap, clean a bagged vac when you change a full bag. I deep clean my Dyson about 4 times a year, on a sunny day, so the freshly rinsed out filters and canister/cyclone thing can be set outdoors to get “solar sanitized” .
Sherrie Says
I have a Dyson, it’s a older one and doesn’t seem to pick up anymore. Maybe I need to do a filter check and a really good cleaning. thank you for this good information
Bren Crain Says
1. THANK YOU for all of the help you provide that we all need to keep our homes clean and safe. YOU ROCK!
2. Regarding this article, your numbering is off beginning with #4, but FANTASTIC DIY. Thank you so much!
3. I would click on your “It’s the Little Things” messages if you included what they are about. As it is, I don’t have time to go out and check every time to see if it applies to my needs. 😀
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThanks for the heads-up on the typo, it’s fixed. As for the It’s the Little Things posts, most people say they are their favorite posts and definitely worth the click 🙂 The email service that delivers the posts pulls a snippet – I’ll see if I can adjust the info so a reader can see if it interests them.
Ana Says
How do you clean the brush attachments of the Miele? Thanks!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI wash it with warm, soapy water and air dry!
Jeanice Says
So excited to get started on this, especially, because I have a dog and a cat living in the home, and vacuum smells like them when I use it, yuck, makes me not want to use the vacuum cleaner, this will definitely be off great help, thank you for taking care of us and our homes.