I'll skip the guilt trip over how long it's been since you last cleaned your Dyson stick vacuum — not just emptying the dust bin, but actually cleaned it.
Admittedly, unless you're a loud and proud over-cleaner, it's an annoying, dirty job that often gets the old "that's a problem for future me" treatment. But you'd probably be more motivated if you remembered that keeping up with maintenance is the best way to make an appliance last longer. A cordless Dyson vacuum may not make an appearance in the r/buyitforlife subreddit, but Dyson itself says that a cordless stick vacuum can last up to five years, depending on how well you take care of it.
I'm currently on year three with my Dyson V12 Detect Slim with zero functional problems (just some chipped paint).
Now for the good news: Dyson vacuums are quite easy to clean.
There are only a few pieces to keep track of that impact suction efficiency and motor longevity, and everything clicks apart without any tools or mental Tetris. The dust bin needs to be dumped more often than a self-emptying robot vacuum would, of course, but the other tasks can stick to a chill monthly basis.
Here's my step-by-step guide on how to clean your Dyson stick vacuum. Step 1: Put on some gloves and suck it up. It's gonna be gross, but it's gonna be worth it.
How to clean a Dyson filter
Loss of suction is a common gripe among Dyson vacuum owners. If your Dyson is spitting debris back out or leaving fur behind, the filter may be clogged.
Dyson stick vacuums are outfitted with HEPA filters that catch airborne particles like dust, pet dander, bacteria, and mold, diverting odor and allergens from seeping into your awareness as you clean. But Dyson filters aren't immortal, and all of the grossness that they've captured doesn't just evaporate. Dust and hair build up over time (especially if you have pets) and eventually, the filter begins to suffocate. A full filter directly inhibits a vacuum's airflow and undermines suction power.
To clean a Dyson stick vacuum filter, locate the colorful end of the handheld part (it's probably purple or turquoise) and twist it off. I'm appalled by how dirty my Dyson's filter is every time I unscrew it, and I even wash it as regularly as you're supposed to. First, get as many of the bigger chunks off as you can — I physically pull clumps of cat hair off and tap it on the side of the trash can to shake out any loose dust. Then, rinse the filter under cool running water and lightly scrub the mesh with your fingers/
After washing, Dyson filters should be left out to dry for at least 24 hours, but ideally two days. A wet filter could impact the battery (as people on Reddit have found out the hard way), and we don't want moisture to get any ideas and start growing mold. I would spiral over not vacuuming for that long if I didn't have a robot vacuum to swoop in, but having a backup filter on hand is another solution.
How to clean Dyson cleaning heads
The cleaning head on your Dyson makes direct contact with the dirty floor, so naturally, the cleaning heads get pretty dirty themselves. Both of Dyson's main cleaning heads, the Motorbar and Fluffy Optic laser head, are designed to be taken apart to clean. The brush rolls inside both can be removed via the unlocking mechanism on one end of the head. Flip them over, and let's get to work.
Hair spooled at either end of the brush roll is inevitable, even if the brush roll does a good job of preventing tangling across the middle. (I find that it's mostly my own long hair, not cat hair.) The hair gets wound pretty tightly and can be too thick of a bundle to rip out by hand. The best way to clean wrapped hair out of a Dyson brush roll is to keep an old pair of small, sharp eyebrow scissors on hand and literally cut it out.
Disassembling the cleaning head is also how you'll remove any stuck items that accidentally get sucked up. Cordless Dyson vacuums with a screen might specify the issue with an "Airways blocked" error, but otherwise, you can often hear that something's a little off with the airflow. My cats tear up brown packing paper from the mail like it's their job, which I'm constantly pulling out from my Dyson's cleaning head.
For Dyson V12 Detect Slim, V15 Detect, Gen5Outsize, or Gen5Detect owners, the soft microfiber-ish brush inside the laser head has similar washing requirements to the filter. When the clear plastic casing on the cleaning head starts to not be transparent and the once-golden yellow stripes on the brushroll now have a gray tint, it's time for a bath. Unlock the fluffy brush roll from the side of the cleaning head and slide it off the end. While that's out, wipe down the inside of the plastic casing.
Scrub the brush roll with soap and water until its normal bright Dyson colors are restored. That'll need to be left out to dry for at least 24 hours, too.
Don't forget to deep clean the dust bin
Every once in a while, your Dyson stick vacuum's dust bin needs to be cleaned past simply emptying it when it's full. After dumping all of the debris out, grab a wet rag or paper towel and wipe out the inside of the dust bin.
Why does my Dyson stink?
Again, a dirty filter or brush roll is probably the culprit of a smelly Dyson vacuum. If your Dyson smells like dog, for example, remember that all of your dog's shedding and dander are literally living in your Dyson's dust bin and filter for weeks. When the filter is too full to capture any more odors, the smell can't help but puff back out every time you run your vacuum.
Be careful to not push your Dyson stick vacuum over any liquid. The bristles of the Motorhead or soft terrycloth-like material of the laser head will still wipe that up, ultimately festering into a mildewy smell reminiscent of soggy towels. Past soap and water, hypochlorous acid spray is a pet-safe disinfectant that's great at neutralizing pet and moisture-related odors.
