If you've just bought your first Shark Lift-Away vacuum cleaner, some of the buttons and different ways of using it can be surprisingly confusing.
What exactly does Lift-Away mean? Which setting should you use on carpets and hard floors? How do you remove and empty the dust bin? And which bits of the vacuum need regular maintenance?
In this beginner's guide I'll take you through the basics of using a Shark Lift-Away. Shark has produced lots of different models, so your buttons and floor head may look slightly different from the machine I'm demonstrating, but the general principles are very similar.
If you're completely new to Shark, I'd recommend watching the video above alongside this guide. Some of the release buttons and clips are much easier to understand when you can actually see where they are on the vacuum.
What Does Lift-Away Mean on a Shark Vacuum?
The Lift-Away feature allows you to separate the main vacuum pod from the floor-head assembly.
Instead of having to move the complete upright vacuum everywhere, you can lift away the main section and use the hose and wand much more freely.
This is particularly useful for:
- Cleaning stairs
- Getting underneath furniture and beds
- Cleaning upholstery
- Vacuuming awkward areas
- Cleaning inside a car
How to Use Shark Lift-Away Mode
First, locate the Lift-Away release on your vacuum.
This is where the video above is particularly useful because Shark has put the release in different places on different models.
On some machines there's a Lift-Away button towards the rear of the vacuum. Others have a large release button towards the top, while some designs use a release near the floor-head assembly.
Once released, the main vacuum pod lifts away from the floor head.
Using Lift-Away to Clean Under Furniture
One way of using Lift-Away is to remove the weight of the main vacuum body while leaving the wand connected to the floor head.
This makes the floor-head and wand assembly much easier to manoeuvre and can be particularly useful when you're trying to reach underneath beds, sofas and other furniture.
You're still using the normal powered floor head, but you no longer have the bulky upright body attached to it.
Using a Shark Lift-Away on Stairs
This is probably my favourite use for the Lift-Away feature.
Press the handle release and remove the handle from the main wand. You're then left with the vacuum pod, flexible hose and handle.
Instead of trying to balance or carry an entire upright vacuum on the stairs, you can keep the smaller pod close to you and clean each step using the hose and an appropriate attachment.
The exact release button is shown in the video above if you're struggling to identify it on your machine.
Can You Use a Shark Lift-Away to Clean a Car?
Yes. Lift-Away mode is also extremely useful for vacuuming the inside of a car.
Remove the pod from the upright assembly and use the flexible hose with the appropriate cleaning tool.
This means you don't need to drag the complete upright vacuum around the vehicle, and the smaller pod can be positioned somewhere convenient while you clean the seats, carpets and footwells.
How to Remove the Wand From a Shark Vacuum
There's also a wand release that allows you to separate the long rigid tube from the floor head.
Apart from making the vacuum more versatile, knowing how to do this is useful if you ever have a blockage.
Removing the wand gives you access to the airway entering the floor head so you can look for anything that's become trapped inside.
Again, button positions vary between Shark models, so use the video above to see how the different sections separate.
How to Put a Shark Lift-Away Back Together
Reassembly is basically the reverse of taking it apart.
- Connect the wand back into the floor head.
- Reconnect the hose/handle to the top of the wand.
- Place the Lift-Away pod back onto the main assembly.
The sections should click securely into position. You shouldn't need to force them together.
Which Shark Setting Should You Use on Carpet?
Many Shark Lift-Away models have different floor settings controlled from the handle.
For carpet cleaning, the powered brush roll normally operates at its normal or higher speed so it can agitate the carpet fibres and help lift embedded dirt.
The exact markings vary between models, so check the controls on your particular Shark.
Which Shark Setting Should You Use on Hard Floors?
When cleaning hard floors, the brush-roll behaviour may change.
Depending on the Shark model, selecting the hard-floor setting may either slow the powered brush roll down or stop a particular brush from rotating.
That's normal.
You don't necessarily want an aggressive, fast-moving brush throwing larger debris such as crumbs or cat litter across a hard floor. The hard-floor setting is designed to allow debris to enter the floor head more effectively.
Models fitted with different Shark floor-head designs, including DuoClean, may behave slightly differently, but the principle is the same: use the setting designed for the surface you're cleaning.
How to Empty a Shark Lift-Away Vacuum
Once you've finished vacuuming, you'll need to remove the dust cup.
The release position differs between models. On the machine demonstrated in the video, the release is towards the rear of the handle on the bin. Other Sharks may have a button clearly marked Dust Cup Release.
Take the dust cup to your bin before opening it.
Release the bottom flap to empty the majority of the dirt.
Many Shark bins can also be opened from the top, which is worth doing because hair and debris can remain trapped higher up inside the dust cup.
Don't Forget the Mesh Inside the Shark Dust Bin
While the bin is empty, take a look inside.
You'll see a mesh or filter section within the dust-bin assembly. Hair and fine dust can accumulate around this area.
If it becomes heavily clogged, it creates another restriction in the vacuum's airflow and can contribute to poor suction.
Keep this area clear whenever you empty and maintain the vacuum.
Keep Hair Off the Shark Brush Rolls
Like any powered vacuum floor head, Shark brush rolls can gradually become wrapped with hair, thread and carpet fibres.
Check them regularly and remove anything that's becoming tightly wrapped around the rollers, particularly around the ends.
This isn't just cosmetic. Excessive resistance around a powered brush roll puts unnecessary strain on the floor-head mechanism.
Clean Your Shark Filters Regularly
If there's one piece of maintenance I'd particularly recommend with a Shark vacuum, it's keeping the filters clean.
The filters sit directly in the vacuum's airflow. As they become loaded with fine dust, it becomes increasingly difficult for air to pass through them.
That can result in:
- Reduced suction
- Poor cleaning performance
- The vacuum becoming hotter
- Unnecessary strain on the motor
Check the filters regularly and clean washable filters according to the instructions for your particular Shark model. Always allow washable filters to dry completely before putting them back into the vacuum.
Shark Lift-Away Beginner's Checklist
If you're completely new to a Shark Lift-Away, these are the main things worth remembering:
- Lift-Away removes the main pod from the upright assembly.
- Use it to make cleaning stairs, furniture and cars considerably easier.
- The wand can also be removed to access awkward areas and check for blockages.
- Use the appropriate carpet or hard-floor setting for the surface you're cleaning.
- Empty both areas of the dust cup and keep the internal mesh clear.
- Remove hair from the powered brush rolls regularly.
- Keep the filters clean to maintain good airflow and suction.
Once you understand what the different release buttons do, a Shark Lift-Away is actually very straightforward to use. If you're unsure where a particular button or clip is located, use the video at the top of this guide – seeing the machine being separated and put back together is much easier than trying to describe every release catch in words.