If the filters in your Shark cordless vacuum are covered in dust, they can seriously restrict the airflow through the machine and reduce its suction.
The good news is that cleaning washable Shark filters is a straightforward maintenance job. Removing the accumulated dust allows air to flow through the vacuum properly again and can make a noticeable difference to its performance.
In this guide I'll show you how to clean the pre-motor foam and felt filters and the post-motor filter, along with one extremely important rule: never put a wet filter back into your vacuum.
How Often Should You Clean Shark Vacuum Filters?
How quickly your filters become dirty depends on how often you vacuum, the amount of dust in your home, whether you have pets and the particular Shark model you own.
Rather than waiting until the vacuum loses suction, it's worth checking the filters regularly. If they're visibly covered in fine dust, it's time to clean them.
Always check the instructions for your particular Shark model for its recommended filter-cleaning schedule.
Can Dirty Shark Filters Cause Loss of Suction?
Yes. This is one of the first things worth checking when a Shark vacuum isn't picking up as well as it used to.
The pre-motor filters sit in the airflow before the motor. As fine dust accumulates, it creates an increasingly restrictive barrier that makes it harder for air to pass through the vacuum.
That can result in poor suction even when there isn't a blockage in the floor head, wand or other airways.
Which Shark Vacuums Does This Apply To?
The vacuum demonstrated in my video is a Shark IZ251 cordless vacuum, but the same basic cleaning principles apply to many Shark cordless models.
Many Shark upright vacuums also use a combination of washable foam, felt and post-motor filters, although their locations and exact designs differ.
Always check that the filters fitted to your particular model are washable before putting them in water.
Remove the Filters From Your Shark Vacuum
Switch the vacuum off and remove the battery where appropriate before removing the filters.
Depending on the model, you will normally find a combination of foam and felt pre-motor filters together with a separate post-motor filter.
If you're unsure where your filters are located, check the instructions for your specific Shark model before attempting to remove them.
How to Clean the Shark Post-Motor Filter
The post-motor filter helps prevent fine particles that have travelled through the vacuum from being exhausted back into the room.
If your filter has pleated material, start by gently removing as much loose surface dust as possible over a bin. Lightly tapping the filter can help dislodge accumulated dry dust before washing.
If the filter is specified as washable for your model, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove the remaining dirt.
Continue rinsing until you're satisfied that the trapped dust has been removed and the water coming away from the filter is clear.
How to Clean Shark Foam and Felt Filters
The foam and felt pre-motor filters are usually particularly easy to clean.
Remove them from the vacuum and rinse washable filters thoroughly in water. Gently squeeze the foam filter to release the dust trapped within it and continue rinsing until the water runs clear.
Don't worry if an older filter doesn't return to its original bright colour. The important thing is removing the accumulated dust that can restrict airflow through the vacuum.
Let Shark Filters Dry for at Least 24 Hours
This is the most important part of the entire job.
Once you've washed the filters, leave them somewhere warm and well ventilated to dry for at least 24 hours, or longer if necessary.
They must be completely dry before they go back into the vacuum cleaner.
Don't judge this purely by whether the outside feels dry. Foam and other filter materials can retain moisture internally, so if you're in any doubt, give them longer.
Why Can't You Put a Wet Filter Back in a Shark Vacuum?
The pre-motor filters are positioned directly in the airflow leading towards the vacuum motor.
If you reinstall them while they're still damp and switch the vacuum on, air passing through the filter can carry moisture towards electrical components and the motor.
Never run your Shark vacuum with freshly washed filters that haven't completely dried.
Need to Use Your Shark While the Filters Are Drying?
One convenient option is keeping a second set of filters. You can fit the dry spare set while the freshly washed filters are left to dry properly rather than being tempted to reinstall them too soon.
If your existing filters are damaged, worn out or you simply want a spare set, you can browse our replacement Shark vacuum filters here.
Shark Still Has Poor Suction After Cleaning the Filters?
If you've thoroughly cleaned the filters, allowed them to dry completely and your Shark still has weak suction, the next step is to look for an airflow restriction elsewhere in the machine.
Check the floor head, wand, hose, dust-bin inlet and other airways for blockages. Hair and debris around the brush roll can also affect cleaning performance even when the vacuum itself still has suction.
But if your filters were heavily coated in fine dust, cleaning them is one of the simplest things you can do to help restore proper airflow.
Cleaning Shark Filters: The Important Bits
- Check your filters regularly rather than waiting for the suction to drop.
- Make sure the filters on your particular Shark model are washable before using water.
- Remove as much accumulated dust as possible.
- Rinse washable filters thoroughly until the water runs clear.
- Leave washed filters to dry for at least 24 hours and until completely dry.
- Never reinstall a damp filter.
Regular filter maintenance helps keep air moving freely through your Shark and prevents a thick layer of dust from sitting directly in the airflow to the motor.
If yours have reached the point where cleaning isn't enough, or you'd like a spare set while the originals are drying, take a look at our Shark replacement filter range.