Dyson vacuum cleaners will keep your home looking spotless. But to make sure that yours performs at its best for longer, it’s important to keep it properly maintained. Plus, it’ll save you from having to fork out for a new one anytime soon!

In this guide, we'll walk you through cleaning your Dyson step by step. There are a few different Dyson vacuums out there, but luckily, our top tips apply to most of their models.

What do you need to clean a Dyson vacuum cleaner?

Before you start disassembling your Dyson, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a few cleaning tools to hand. And grab your Dyson’s user manual too, especially if you’ve never taken it apart before. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Soft microfibre cloth

• Cleaning sponge

• Broomstick (or something similar)

• Bucket of water

• Mild cleaning detergent

• Pair of scissors

How to clean a Dyson vacuum: step-by-step

Want to know how to clean your Dyson? Here are the six main steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Unplug your Dyson vacuum from the wall (corded) or turn it off (cordless).

2. Detach the dust bin, empty it, and give it a good scrub.

3. Remove the vacuum filters and wash with cold or warm water only.

4. Take off the brush bar and use scissors to cut out tangled hair or debris.

5. Disconnect the hose and unclog it with a cloth or water.

6. Wipe down the outside of your Dyson.

1. Unplug your Dyson vacuum cleaner

Yes, it sounds obvious. But make sure you unplug your Dyson from the wall before you start cleaning it (if it’s a corded model). Or if it’s a Dyson cordless vacuum, just switch it off. This can help you to avoid getting a nasty shock, especially as you’ll need water to clean some of the parts.

2. Remove and clean the dust bin

One of the reasons why Dyson vacuums are so popular is because they’re bagless. This means that you don’t have to buy and replace disposable bags — saving you money in the long run. Plus, it makes it easier to see when the vac is full and needs emptying.

Here’s how to remove, empty, and clean your Dyson’s dust bin:

1. Remove the dust bin from your vacuum by pressing the red button near the top of the handle.

2. Hold the canister over a bin outside and press the red button again to release the hatch at the bottom. The contents will then fall out, but you might need to give it a good shake too!

3. Use a damp cloth or sponge to remove any stubborn debris still stuck inside of the dust bin. Cold or warm water is fine, and you can add a little bit of dish detergent too (just make sure to rinse it off after).

4. Shake off any excess water and leave the dust bin to dry completely before reattaching it to the vacuum.

3. Remove and wash the filter(s)

If you want to know how to clean a Dyson filter, you might have to look at your vacuum’s manual first. This is because the number of filters and where they are can vary depending on the Dyson model you’ve got.

These steps should work with most Dyson vacs though:

1. Find and press down on the filter release button or tab on your Dyson vacuum. This is usually next to the dust bin.

2. Lightly tap your filter(s) on the side of your sink or bin. This’ll remove any loose dust and debris.

3. Hold your filter(s) under a running tap with cold or warm water only. This will rinse out any remaining dirt. You can also use your fingers to gently rub the filter and loosen more stubborn bits of debris.

4. Once the water runs crystal clear, gently squeeze the moisture out of the filter. Don’t wring or twist the filter, as this can damage it.

5. Let your filter(s) air dry completely before putting them back into your vacuum. This can take up to 24 hours.

4. Clean the brush bar

Your Dyson’s brush bar really bears the brunt when it comes to cleaning your carpets and floors. It’ll collect loads of hair, dirt, and debris over time. Especially if you have pets or live with someone with long hair! If you don’t clean it, it’ll be nowhere near as effective as when it was brand new.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly clean the brush bar:

1. Unlock the fasteners holding the brush bar and take it off your vacuum. Check your manual first though, as this process can differ between Dyson models.

2. Using scissors or your fingers, gently remove hair and debris from the brush bar. It’s a good idea to do this over a bin.

3. Give the brush bar a good wash under running water. You can also use a clean brush to remove any leftover bits of dust.

4. Use a clean cloth to remove moisture from the brush bar and leave it to air dry standing upright. Make sure it’s completely dry before you put it back on.

5. Unblock the hose

Depending on the Dyson you have, the amount of dust and dirt that gets caught in its hose might surprise you. That's why it's important to also give this a good clean every once in a while.

Here's how to clean the hose on your Dyson vacuum:

1. Press the release button to detach the hose from your vacuum.

2. Get your cloth and use a broomstick (or something similar) to push it down one end of the hose.

3. Push it all the way through until it pops out the other end. This will help loosen and remove any big bits of debris or dirt stuck inside.

4. Fill a bucket with cold or warm water and add a small amount of cleaning solution if you want to.

5. Submerge the hose in the bucket of water for about 5 to 10 minutes. This'll help remove any remaining dirt and bacteria.

6. Rinse the hose with clean water and then give it a good wipe.

7. Hang the hose up to air dry completely before you reattach it to your vacuum.

6. Wipe down the outside

You’ve removed and cleaned all the fiddly bits on your Dyson. So, you might as well give the exterior a once over too, right? Dyson’s suck up lots of dust and debris, but they can collect quite a bit on the outside. You can just use a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth to wipe away the dust for a quick freshen up.

FAQs

How often should I clean my Dyson vacuum cleaner?

It depends on how often you use it. If you vacuum quite a lot (or have pets), then you’ll need to clean your Dyson regularly to stop any build-up of dust and hair. It’s generally a good idea to clean your Dyson vacuum once every couple of months if you can.

But you’ll always need to empty the dust bin before it reaches the ‘max’ level. And Dyson themselves recommend washing the filters in their vacuums at least once a month for the best suction power.

Can I wash the filters in my Dyson vacuum cleaner?

Yes, you absolutely can. But for Dyson filter cleaning, don’t use any detergent or wash them in a dishwasher or washing machine. If you do, the filter’s membrane might break down or tear. That’s why Dyson tell you to rinse their vacuum filters in cold or warm water only. You’ll then need to air dry them for 24 hours until they’re completely free of moisture.

Can I take my Dyson vacuum apart for a deeper clean?

Dyson vacuum cleaners are built to be taken apart — letting you give them a good, thorough clean. With their modular style, you can easily remove the bins and filters on most Dyson vacuums to get at every single piece.

Any more questions?

Now that you know how to get your Dyson back to its best, why not learn a bit more about these quality vacs? Our deep clean your home with a Dyson guide has some great tips about different attachments that’ll suck up dust from any surface! Or check out our best vacuum cleaners article if you’re thinking about an upgrade.