There has been a gain in demand of Robot vacuums in recent years, as they can provide a hassle-free way to keep your floors clean.
One brand of robot vacuum that has gained a lot of popularity is the Shark vacuum. Now, Shark vacuums are for their powerful suction and ability to clean both carpets and hard floors.
One important part of owning a Shark vacuum is knowing how to clean the filter. This is because the filter is responsible for trapping dirt, dust, and other debris.
If you do not clean & take care of the filter regularly, it can become clogged and cause the vacuum to lose suction.
Here, in this guide we will tell you how to clean the filter on your Shark robot vacuum. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Should You Clean Your Shark Robot Vacuum Filter?
Before we get into the steps on how to clean your filter, it is important to understand why this maintenance task is so important.
Maintaining a vacuum cleaner filter is important, particularly if it is a robot vacuum. You have a lot of parts to thoroughly clean in this situation. Consider wheels, varied (side) brushes, and sensors.
As we mentioned, the filter on your Shark vacuum is responsible for trapping dirt, dust, and other debris.
With constant use, these materials can build up and cause the filter to become clogged. When this happens, the vacuum will lose suction and will not be able to clean as effectively.
When you start taking care of a Shark robot vacuum filter, you can avoid the following issues:
- Bad odor
- Dust emissions
- Less accurate obstacle detection
- Scratches on the floor
- Reduction in suction power
Read: 10 Best Robot Vacuums
Tools Required For Cleaning Shark Robot Vacuum
These are the following tools that you will need to clean your Shark Robot Vacuum:
- Gloves & mask
- Microfiber cloth
- Warm and cold water
- Small scissors and rippers
- Drying rack
- Soft-bristled brush
- Trash can
How to Empty Shark Robot Vacuum Cleaner?
Before we tell you how you can clean a Shark Robot Vacuum filter, let us tell you how to empty the vacuum first.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to empty the Shark Robot Vacuum cleaner:
- Remove the dust container from the vacuum by clicking on the two buttons at the front toward each other.
- Hold the dust container erect; otherwise, dust might fall off on you.
- Now click open the cover sitting on top of the dust container.
- Empty the dust container in a trashcan.
- Lastly, check if there is any dust between the rim and the filter, and dust it out.
How to Clean Shark Robot Vacuum Filter — A Step-By-Step Guide
Now that you know why it is so important to clean your Shark vacuum filter, let’s get into the steps on how to do it.
1. Clean Both Filters
The two filters on Shark cordless vacuums are different. One is called the pre-motor filter and is located at the front of the motor. This filter includes felt and foam and is used to trap large debris.
The other filter, called the post-motor filter, is located after the motor. This filter is made of mesh and is responsible for trapping smaller debris.
Both of these filters need to be cleaned on a regular basis. To do this and get rid of the dust inside, simply use a sponge or brush to gently remove the debris. You can also rinse the filters with water to remove any remaining dirt.
2. Wash the Filters
Once you have removed all of the debris from the filters, it is time to wash them.
To do this, simply place the filters in a bowl of lukewarm water and add a drop of mild dish soap. Gently agitate the filters before letting them soak for about 15 minutes.
After the time is up, remove the filters from the bowl and rinse them with clean water. Make sure to remove all of the soap before placing the filters back in the vacuum.
Drying the filters is important as well, so be sure to use a towel or let them air dry completely before reinserting.
3. Remove The Hair
Every home has hair, whether from a pet or a person. However, hair strands quickly stick inside the vacuum, which will make things difficult when it comes to cleaning.
Furthermore, if hair gets trapped in the vacuum’s roll, wheels, or brushes, it will eventually damage the machine.
That is why you should always check the vacuum for hair before starting the cleaning process. To do this, use the comb included with your shark vacuum and gently remove any strands caught.
4. Clean the Debris Canister
The debris canister is where all the dirt and debris from your vacuum gets collected. Over time, this canister can become full and cause the vacuum to lose suction.
To make sure this does not occur, it is important to clean the debris canister on a regular basis.
To do this, you only need to remove the canister from the vacuum and empty it into the trash. Be sure to rinse the canister with water before putting it back in the vacuum.
5. Replace Your Filters
Even if you clean your filters on a regular basis, they will eventually need to be replaced. It’s recommended to replace the pre-motor filter every 6 months and the post-motor filter every 12 months.
When it is time to replace the filters, simply remove the old ones and insert the new ones. You should check the manufacturer’s instructions also to ensure you are inserting the filters correctly.
How to Clean Brushes, Wheels and Sensors of a Shark Robot Vacuum Cleaner?
Cleaning Shark Robot Vacuum Cleaner is much more than cleaning just filters. Here’s a guide on how you can clean other parts as well:
Cleaning Brushes
The cleaning brushes in a vacuum cleaner are prone to get tangled by hair. Not dealing with stuck pets and human hair can create a hurdle for the suction to work properly.
So a Shark Robot Vacuum Cleaner ideally has more than one type of brush. For example, you might find a large motorized floor brush towards the underside and two more side brushes on both sides of the vacuum.
To clean these, you just have to click them out, dust them off and then wipe them with a clean fiber cloth.
Cleaning & Replacing Wheels
To move around and clean a space properly, Robot Vacuums are equipped with wheels. Ideally, you will find a swivel wheel in the front and two large rubber wheels at the side of the vacuum.
You can remove them easily, and once you do, you can dust and wipe them with a cloth. Now, you can attach the wheels back to the vacuum by snapping the caster into the housing.
Cleaning the Sensors & charging Pad
A Shark Robot Vaccum move around with the help of its sensors, so it is important to ensure they are clean.
For this, you can simply turn the vacuum around and wipe the sensor area with a cloth.
Also, make sure to keep the metal charging contacts and the Shark robot’s dock clean by using a cloth
How to Remove and Replace Shark Robot Vacuum Battery?
How Often Should You Clean Shark Robot Vacuum and Filters?
Cleaning and maintenance of your Shark Vacuum cleaner and filters are necessary for its smooth functioning.
The bins or dust cups should be emptied after every use or at least when it gets half full. This ensures the suction works properly.
You should clean the outer housing with a fiber cloth every day to remove dust. And you should check the hoses and roller for tangled hair, breaks, or clogs monthly and ensure they are clean.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning and maintaining your Shark vacuum filter is important if you want your vacuum to work properly.
By following the steps that we have shared above, you can keep your vacuum running like new and avoid any issues in the future.
FAQ’s
How do I make my Vacuum filter smell better?
You can use baking soda to clean the Vacuum filter: this will help in getting rid of any bed smell or bacteria. You can also sprinkle the filter with essential oil to make it smell better.
Can I use Vinegar to clean my Robot Vacuum filter?
As long as it is a foam filter, you can use vinegar to clean it. If the Vacuum has a HEPA filter or cartridge, then do not clean it using vinegar.
How long does a Shark Vaccum filter lasts?
As per the owner’s manual, a Shark Vaccum filter lasts for up to 2 years.
Shefali Jain is a Content Editor & Writer at National Planning Cycles.
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes.