How To Clean My Dyson Ball Vacuum

Has your Dyson vacuum started to smell funky? Is there a sudden loss of suction? Before you rush out and buy a replacement, your Dyson might just need a good clean. So, you may want to ask yourself — when was the last time you cleaned your vacuum?

Don't worry, we're all guilty of letting this household chore slip. But it's important to remember that a Dyson vacuum is an investment. So, it's in your best interests to maintain it.

Cleaning your Dyson regularly is essential for maximum operating efficiency. It may also extend the lifespan of your vacuum.

How to Clean a Dyson Vacuum

Cleaning your Dyson vacuum is a simple task when you know what you're doing. You can follow our step-by-step guide every one or two months — perhaps more if you vacuum or deep clean regularly.

1. Unplug Your Dyson

Before you start taking apart and cleaning your Dyson, make sure it's unplugged from the power outlet. This is going to make your job a lot safer. It also lowers your risk of suffering an electric shock.

2. Empty and Scrub the Dust Canister

A good place to start is with the dust canister since all Dyson vacuums are bagless. After all your cleaning, it's likely to be at least half full. So, you'll want to empty the dust and dirt first.

The dust canister is normally underneath the cyclones. On a lot of models, such as the Dyson V6, there's a red "bin release" button next to the base.

You'll want to press this to release the dust canister from the main vacuum. It might be in a different place depending on the model, but it shouldn't be far away. Check your manual if you're not sure where it is.

Press the button on the dust canister to release the base and empty debris into the trash. Be sure to shake it vigorously to get out as much dirt as possible.

Then you may want to take a damp cloth for cleaning the inside of the dust canister. Microfiber is a good material to use as it's positively charged.

This means it can easily capture dust and dirt particles, holding them tight so they don't smear back onto the dust canister ⁽¹⁾.

Dyson recommends not using any detergent to wash out the dust canister — chemicals may make the material sticky. It's also stated in some user manuals not to wash any part of cyclones of your Dyson vacuum with water.

So, if there is dirt stuck in the cyclones, you may want to try a compressed air device. This way, you aren't using any damaging liquids, but you can blast away debris for maximum suction.

Always make sure to dry the dust canister. Leaving excess moisture and dampness in there might cause mold to grow ⁽²⁾.

3. Remove and Wash the Filters

The filter of your Dyson vacuum cleaner has an important role to play in keeping your home clean. It traps dust, pollen, bacteria, and dirt particles from the air.

This means that over time, it's necessary to clean out the filters. A lot of Dyson filters are located near the cyclone. You'll want to lift it out and remove it for cleaning. They're often colored purple so you can spot them.

Some Dyson upright vacuums will have more than one filter. This might include another one in the "ball" or back of the machine.

Take your filter and run it under the water from the faucet. It's best not to use any detergent or chemicals to wash the filter. Cold water will be enough to clear it of any dust or debris.

You can gently squeeze the water out and keep repeating this process until the water runs clear. You'll know when it's clean just by looking at it.

Before you can insert the filter back into the vacuum, though, it's necessary to let it dry fully. It can be damaged in a tumble dryer. So, you can just leave it in a warm area of your home for around 24 hours.

Some Dyson manuals say the filter should be washed every three months. However, if you use your vacuum a lot and on heavily soiled floors, more frequent cleans might be needed.

4. Untangle the Brush Bar

It's the brush bar that collects all the hair, debris, and dirt from your floors and carpet. After a while, this builds up and gets tangled around it, reducing cleaning efficiency. So, grab a pair of scissors and a flat head screwdriver for this step.

You'll need to remove the soleplate on some Dyson vacuums in order to clean the brush bar. Various models require a flat head screwdriver to take out the screws first.

There will be other models where you can simply use a coin to unscrew it. For example, this is the case for the Dyson DC39 Animal vacuum. Then you simply pull out the brush.

You can also manually remove large debris from the brush. Next, use the scissors to cut out hair and anything else twisted around it.

A damp microfiber cloth may be useful for cleaning out the compartment of the brush bar. Just make sure it's completely dry before inserting the brush back in and fixing on the soleplate again.

5. Unclog the Hose

Over time, your hose can become clogged and this can affect suction power. While you're cleaning your Dyson, disconnect the hose. There's sometimes a button to detach it from the wand.

Visually check inside the hose to see if there's any debris. You can also use a mop handle and push it through to clear the hose.

It's best not to use any harsh chemicals on the vacuum hose. This might cause irreversible damage. Instead, you can make your own household cleaner with vinegar. to kill germs and bacteria lurking inside.

Fill up your kitchen sink with warm water and add one cup of vinegar. Take your hose and submerge it in the mixture. Then you can use the water from the faucet to flush it out. It may be easier to do this by holding your hose in a U shape.

Let it dry before reconnecting to your vacuum. This may take around 24 hours — you don't want to take any risks.

6. Wipe Down the Vacuum

Don't forget to wipe down the outer portions of your Dyson vacuum. Again, a damp microfiber cloth is all you need for this one — avoid oversaturating your machine.

You might want to consider sanitizing the soleplate and wheels of your vacuum. Trailing over dirty floors and carpets may mean they harbor grime too.

A mixture of diluted vinegar also works for this task. Just remember to let your vacuum dry fully before you use it again

Start Vacuuming

Cleaning your Dyson is an important task you should complete at least once a month. This can improve your cleaning sessions, as well as help your vacuum last longer.

Always ensure your vacuum is unplugged before you begin. Start with the dust canister and a damp microfiber cloth before moving onto the filters.

Then you can tackle the brush bar and make sure it's tangle-free. Don't forget to clean out the hose too. Finally, ensure everything is dry before using your vacuum again.

Do you have any tips for cleaning a Dyson? Let us know in the comments — we'd love to hear them!