How To Clean A Dyson Filter [Steps Explained]

There's nothing better than breathing fresh, clean air and filters reduce the number of pollutants we inhale. Dyson is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and air purifiers. However, filters need cleaning too. If that's your concern, let's go over the details.

There's always the fear of messing up when it's your first time cleaning a product. But, Dyson filters aren't tough to clean. Here's the procedure you will need to follow:

Turn off and unplug the machine.
Remove the filter from its container.
Rinse it under cold water.
Let the filter dry.
Place it back into position or replace it with a new one.

A brief overview of the steps won't cut it for some people. It's always good to get a good idea of what you need to do before doing it. We will go over a detailed step-by-step. In addition, we'll cover other concerns about this topic. To learn more, keep reading.

Cleaning A Dyson Filter

Filters can be delicate. So, you need to know how to handle them to ensure they work after cleaning. However, it's not tough to clean a Dyson filter. They should hold up well if you take the correct precautions. Let's go over the process.

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1. Turn Off and Unplug the Machine

You can start the process by turning the machine off and unplugging it. Assuming your vacuum isn't running 24/7, it should already be in this spot. Air purifiers are a different case.

If it's running, turn it off. Otherwise, the air purifier will only recirculate the pollutants in the air. The last thing you want is to spread dust around your room quickly.

2. Remove the Filter From Its Container

This step depends on the model of the Dyson product you own. One of their vacuums is filterless. More specifically, their Cinetic Big Ball vacuum operates without a filter. So, if you own this model, refer to their user manual for cleanings.

You'll also need to refer to the user manual for other vacuum cleaners and air purifiers. They each have their way of releasing the filter. Some will have latches near the top that you need to press. Others will have notches on the sides near the bottom.

Dyson offers two types of vacuums, cordless and standard. You can usually release the filter on a cordless vacuum with a simple turn. The conventional vacuums will have a button to free the chamber and a latch to expose the filter.

Sometimes, we throw away our user manuals without realizing it. You can visit Dyson's support page to download a copy if that happens.

3. Rinse It Under Cold Water

Once the filter is out of the casing, tap it lightly on a bin or sink. This way, you can remove loose dust and other particles.

Then, make your way to the nearest sink. Rinse the filter under cold water. Depending on how long you've held off on cleaning it, murky water will appear.

Keep rinsing the filter until the water runs clear. You may be thinking about using detergents. But, Dyson recommends against it. Water should be enough to clean the filter.

4. Let The Filter Dry

The next step would be to let the filter dry entirely. It's an essential step that you shouldn't take lightly. In some cases, it can even fry a vacuum.

One customer support representative suggests it can damage the motor in vacuums. And, since this is part of user error, it voids the machine's warranty. You can assume it would do the same with an air purifier.

Regardless, using a Dyson vacuum or air purifier with a wet filter will not work. The water will inhibit airflow. So, allow it to dry in a warm area for 24 hours.

You can place the filter near a radiator or in an airing cupboard. Sunlight also helps with drying times.

5. Place It Back Into Position Or Replace It

Finally, once the filter dries, you can put it back into position. Re-assemble the holding chamber. However, before you put it back, inspect the condition.

If it looks worn out, consider replacing it with a new one. Dyson uses HEPA filters. So, they can theoretically catch 99.97% of dust and other pollutants. The effectiveness is mainly an advantage, but it can also be a disadvantage.

Since it traps more pollutants than a standard filter, it will clog frequently. Over time, they can become less effective. So, it's recommendable to replace them every so often.

Here's a YouTube video showing how you can replace the filter for one model of Dyson air purifier:

We'll also include examples of cleaning cordless vacuum filters and standard ones:

Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

How Often Should You Change Your Dyson Filters?

Changing filters is a tricky topic. People live all over the place. So, some of you might live in heavily dusty environments. Others might need to bust out the vacuum and air purifier less frequently.

Dyson recommends swapping out your air purifier filter for a new one every year. That is based on 12 hours of use a day. You may need to swap it out sooner. It depends on several factors. For example, pets shed a lot of fur.

A pet's fur makes its way into the filter, clogging it more often. Another factor to consider is the frequency of use. Though, this one matters more for vacuums. If you use your vacuum often, you may need to replace the filter more often.

How Often Should You Wash Dyson Filters?

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The factors that determine the lifespan of a Dyson filter also decide how often you should wash them. Since vacuums collect a lot of dirt, clean them monthly.

Air purifiers are a different case. They passively filter the air you breathe. So, if you want to maintain the effectiveness, rinse them under cold water every three months.

This way, you can remove contaminants that will eventually clog the machine. Of course, you could wait until the app or LED screen shows it needs a filter cleaning.

What Happens If You Don't Clean Or Change The Filter?

Sometimes, we hold off on cleaning for another time. And, we could also forget about the cleaning completely. Therefore, the vacuum or air purifier is operating on a dirty filter.

You may think it's not a problem because it can continue working. However, that's not the case. Dirty air filters do more harm than you think.

In vacuum cleaners, they will reduce the suction power. So, it will clean your floors and other surfaces less effectively. You'll also notice a change in the noises it makes. It will get noticeably louder.

The reason is that it's working harder to let air pass through it. In the worst case, it can burn out the motor.

Dirty Air Purifier Filters - What's The Problem?

Be wary of air purifiers that run with a dirty filter. It's less concerning with vacuums because you're not running them for long periods. Once you finish cleaning, it goes back into storage.

In comparison, air purifiers can run as long as 12 hours or more. Of course, that depends on the person using it. Regardless, failure to replace or clean the filter can cause issues with the machine and your general air quality.

The filter will continue to remove pollutants from the air. But, it will eventually clog. So, air will have trouble passing. As a result, the fans will work hard to push the air through the filter. And this may increase your electricity costs.

Decrease In Air Quality

The longer you wait to change the filter, the more likely it will stop filtering the contaminants. It may even start recirculating it. Dyson claims it can let unpleasant odors back into the room.

If you don't want to ruin your vacuum or air purifier, wash and change the filter routinely.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Dyson HEPA Filter?

As we mentioned earlier, Dyson has various models of air purifiers. Each one uses the same type of filter. But, they have different designs.

Some models use two filters instead of one. Replacing these will cost $79.99. Dyson Pure Cool Link TP01, TP02, and Cool Me use a mid-sized HEPA filter. It costs $69.99 to replace it.

Click here to see this Dyson filter on Amazon.

The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool air purifiers use a slightly larger filter. They cost $69.99 to replace.

Vacuums

Dyson vacuum filters will cost a little less to replace. Of course, you'll need to refer to your user manual to see what works with your machine. It can cost around $10-$40 to replace filter parts.

Click here to see this Dyson V10 filter on Amazon.

Click here to see this Dyson V11 filter on Amazon.

In Closing

As you can see, cleaning the filter isn't as confusing as it seems. The hard part is figuring out how to release it from its holding chamber. Although, the user's manual will help you with that issue. From there, the other steps are a piece of cake.

We hope you found the information above helpful! Before you go, do you have other Dyson concerns? Do you need help replacing the battery? To learn more, check out:

How To Replace A Dyson Battery [Inc. V6, V7, V8 And V10]

Do you need help finding the model number of your Dyson tower fan? We can help. For more information, check out:

How To Find The Model Number On A Dyson Tower Fan?