One of the (many) things I love about Shark vacuum cleaners is that they are designed to be super-easy to use and even easier to maintain. But there are still cleaning rules and recommendations to follow, which is why it’s important to understand exactly how to clean a Shark vacuum cleaner to keep it in top form for years to come.
Taken care of properly, the best Shark vacuums should last anywhere between 5-8 years, and maybe even longer, depending on how often you use and care for them. And while many of the steps associated with this task are the same as cleaning any other vacuum cleaner, there are some quirks and intricacies specific to the Shark brand.
So, as Ideal Home’s Certified Expert in Vacuums, I’ve taken it upon myself to ask Shark the all-important questions and report back to you on exactly how to clean a Shark vacuum cleaner. All you have to do now is follow these steps.
1. Switch off your Shark vacuum
Regularly topping the charts as the best vacuum cleaners and the best cordless vacuum cleaners, it’s important to give Shark vacuums the proper care and attention to keep them in top form. However, before you do anything, you always turn your vacuum off. If a corded model won in the Shark corded vs cordless vacuum debate, you should also unplug the appliance.
It’s also worth taking stock of where you want to clean your Shark vacuum cleaner, as it’s best to move to a location where you can easily clean any spilt dust and where you can quickly and easily wash the filters. Personally, I always clean mine in the kitchen for ease.
2. Empty the dust bin
When you’ve turned your vacuum off, it’s then time to empty the dust bin. Thankfully, Shark’s bagless cleaning system means that any dust, dirt and debris vacuumed up from your floors goes into a dust bin. This can then be removed from the main body of your Shark model for emptying. And if you want a hack, there’s an easy way to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere.
‘Empty the dust cup each time you vacuum and periodically during cleaning, if debris reaches the MAX fill line,’ advise the experts at Shark. ‘Remove the dust cup using the release button(s), hold it over a bin and press the latch to empty the contents into the bin. Make sure you remove any debris build-up if needed.’
And while you could return the dust cup directly to the Shark vacuum, it’s worth taking a moment or two every so often to wipe out the dust cup so it looks good as new. This is something I do once every couple of weeks, and something Ideal Home’s Kitchens Appliances Editor (and regular vacuum tester), Molly Cleary, does too.
She told me, ‘I empty my Shark vacuum very regularly since it has a fairly small dust capacity, and do a deeper clean every month to keep it in good shape. To do this, I clean the inside of the dust cup by first wiping it with a paper towel and then a damp cloth.’ Just make sure it’s completely dry before you return it to its home.
3. Wash the filters
Whether you have one of the best vacuums for pet hair, have allergies, or just want to ensure that you’re cleaning your Shark vacuum cleaner as recommended, you also need to wash the filters regularly.
The vacuum cleaner’s filters do an important job, removing dust and allergens from the air sucked in by your vacuum. And if you don’t clean a shark vacuum cleaner filter regularly the filter can become blocked, which can result in poor suction over time and even cause your Shark vacuum to keep stopping.
But you’ll be happy to know that checking and cleaning the filters is a simple process. ‘Remove the filters, tap off any loose dirt, and hand-wash using just water,’ say the experts at Shark. ‘Allow the filters to dry completely for 24 hours before reinserting.’
If you do need to use your vacuum cleaner before that time is up, it’s well worth having a backup filter that you can use instead. These can be purchased from the Shark website, but you need to make sure that you choose the right filters for your particular model.
Shark Spare Filter Kit – IZ400/IZ420
If you have the Shark Stratos Vacuum Cleaner and find that cleaning the filters isn’t enough to keep them in tip-top condition, it’s worth buying some extra. Filters for alternative models can be found on the website.
4. Deal with any blockages
One of the things I wish I knew before buying a Shark vacuum is that this brand is just as susceptible to vacuum cleaner problems as any other. And vacuum cleaner blockages are no joke, as they can drastically reduce the cleaning power of your machine. That’s why you also need to check for any blockages when cleaning your Shark vacuum cleaner.
Most of the time you’ll notice when a blockage happens, as the suction will reduce, a warning light will turn on, your Shark vacuum may sound different as you use it, or you vacuum may even start emitting a strange odour.
The Shark experts advise, ‘If you have an upright vacuum, first remove the handle and check if there is any suction once turned on – if not, there may be an obstruction in the handle or hose. If this section is clear, or if you have a stick vacuum, look through the wand to ensure nothing has become lodged in the pipe. You can also shine a torch into the hose. Finally, check the arm of the floorhead – where you connect the wand – for blockages.’
Then, you can follow the steps to unclog a vacuum hose. Sometimes a light shake or tap may be enough to dislodge whatever’s inside, but you may need to use long tool – like a stick or thin cleaning brush – to give it that extra welly it needs.
5. Clean the brush rolls
If you regularly vacuum pet hair or you’re just a human who sheds just as much, it’s also essential to clean the brush rolls when cleaning your Shark vacuum. And depending on the model you have chosen, your Shark vacuum cleaner may have either one brush-roll or two brush-rolls in the floorhead.
For floorheads with one brush-roll, the experts at Shark advise, ‘Detach the floorhead from your vacuum and remove any debris from the bristles. Some models have a removable section of the base for access to the brush-roll. Carefully use scissors within the brush-roll groove to cut away any string, hair, or debris wrapped around the brush-roll.’
However, Shark DuoClean vacuums – as you can probably tell by the name – have two brush-rolls, including a bristle brush-roll and a soft front roller. So, these require a slightly different cleaning approach.
‘To clean the bristle brush-roll, remove the cover using the guide in your instruction booklet. Remove any debris and clear away any dirt or blockages,’ say the experts at Shark. ‘To clean the soft front roller, simply tap off any loose debris, use a dry towel to wipe the brush-roll clean and remove any debris caught in the teeth behind the brush-roll. Hand wash if needed, using only water, and let it air dry completely for at least 24 hours before reinserting.’
6. Check the sensors
While the above steps should be enough to keep your Shark vacuum cleaner in tip-top condition, there is an extra step that I’d always encourage Shark vacuum owners to complete before storing their appliance away. So, don’t forget the sensors built into the machine – a quick wipe with a damp cloth will keep dust from covering these, so they continue to alert you to any issues with your Shark vacuum.
It’s a quick tip that Ideal Home’s Molly Cleary also makes sure to follow when she’s cleaning her Shark Vacuum. ‘Since I have the new range of Shark vacuum, I make sure to clean the sensors in the vacuum head, so that all of the technology inside keeps working as it should,’ she explains.
‘If the brush-roll indicator light is solid green when your vacuum is turned on, the motorised brush-rolls are on and working as they should,’ explain the experts at Shark. ‘If they are solid red, there is a jam in the brush-roll and/or soft roller area, so you will need to turn off your vacuum and remove the blockages.
She adds, ‘If the light is flashing red, the motorised floorhead is overheating. In this instance, you should turn off your vacuum and wait for it to cool down before continuing with your cleaning.’
FAQs
How often should you clean a Shark vacuum cleaner?
You should do a basic check and clean of your Shark vacuum after each use. This might be as simple as emptying the dust cup, checking the rollers for debris that’s stopping them moving, and using a torch to check the hose, airways and wand for blockages.
Once a month, you may want to do a deeper clean, wiping out the dust cup with a damp cloth, removing and washing the rollers, and wiping down the exterior of your Shark vacuum to keep it looking good and to ensure the sensors are clear.
How often should you replace vacuum brush roller?
Ultimately, this depends on how often you use your vacuum cleaner and the type of debris you’re sucking up. If you regularly use your vacuum to clean large, tough debris, you may find that the bristles on the vacuum brush roller don’t last as long and therefore will need to be replaced more regularly.
The worst-case scenario is that you’ll need to replace them every couple of months. The best-case scenario is that they’ll last for years before needing to be replaced.
So, that’s everything you need to know about cleaning your Shark vacuum cleaner! But if cleaning doesn’t seem to solve any issues you’re having with your appliance, this may be a sure sign that it’s time to replace your vacuum.
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