Dirty filters are one of the most common causes of poor suction in a Shark vacuum cleaner. Leave them long enough and they can also start to smell, restrict the airflow through the machine and put unnecessary strain on the motor.
In this guide I'll show you how to clean the filters on a Shark DuoClean Lift-Away upright vacuum, including the foam and felt pre-motor filters, the pleated exhaust filter and another filter inside the dust bin that many owners completely forget about.
The exact filter design and location varies between Shark models, but the same basic maintenance principles apply to many Shark upright and Lift-Away vacuum cleaners.
Why Are Clean Shark Filters So Important?
Your Shark relies on a constant flow of air through the vacuum.
If you have a heavily clogged filter sitting directly in the airflow, the motor has to try to pull air through a layer of compacted dust.
It's a bit like trying to breathe with your hand covering your mouth. The more restricted the airflow becomes, the worse the vacuum performs.
Dirty filters can contribute to:
- Loss of suction
- Poor pickup from the floor head
- Unpleasant smells from the vacuum
- Reduced airflow through the machine
- Extra heat and strain on the motor
So before assuming that a Shark with poor suction has developed a major fault, its filters are one of the first things worth checking.
Which Filters Does a Shark Lift-Away Have?
Most Shark Lift-Away uprights use several stages of filtration.
Depending on the exact model, you'll commonly find:
- A foam pre-motor filter
- A felt filter beneath it
- A pleated post-motor or exhaust filter
- A filter or mesh screen within the dust-bin/cyclone assembly
Filter shapes and locations vary between models, so always check the instructions for your particular Shark if you're unsure whether a filter is washable.
1. Remove the Foam and Felt Filters
Start by switching off and unplugging the vacuum.
Remove the dust bin to access the foam and felt pre-motor filters. On many Shark Lift-Away models these sit directly underneath the dust-bin assembly.
Lift both filters out and take a look at them.
If they're covered in grey dust, they're restricting the airflow before it reaches the motor.
2. Wash the Shark Foam Filter
If your particular filter is specified as washable, rinse the foam filter thoroughly under lukewarm water.
Work the water through the foam and gently squeeze it repeatedly to release the trapped dust.
Continue until the water runs clear and you're satisfied that the dust has been removed from inside the filter rather than simply from its surface.
3. Clean the Felt Filter
The felt filter sitting beneath the foam filter also collects fine dust and needs attention.
Clean it according to the instructions for your particular model, removing as much accumulated dust as possible without damaging the material.
Don't assume a filter needs to return to its original bright colour to be clean. The important thing is removing the loose and embedded dust that's restricting airflow.
4. Leave the Filters to Dry Completely
This part is extremely important.
Never put a wet or damp filter back into your Shark vacuum.
After cleaning, leave washable filters somewhere dry and well ventilated for at least 24 hours or until completely dry throughout.
Thick foam can still contain moisture internally even when the outside feels dry, so if you're unsure, leave it longer.
If you need to use the vacuum while the filters are drying, keeping a second set of filters can be useful. You can alternate the sets rather than being tempted to reinstall a damp filter.
5. Don't Forget the Exhaust Filter
There's another filter that can easily be overlooked because it isn't sitting directly underneath the dust bin.
Depending on your Shark model, the post-motor or exhaust filter is normally positioned towards the front of the vacuum.
Its job is to help capture fine particles before the air leaving the vacuum is returned to the room.
Over time, this filter can become packed with very fine dust.
6. Remove Loose Dust Before Washing a Pleated Filter
If your Shark has a washable pleated exhaust filter, I prefer to remove as much dry dust as possible before introducing water.
Take the filter outside or over a bin and gently tap out the loose dust. A soft brush can also help remove material from between the pleats.
This prevents a large amount of dry dust immediately turning into wet sludge when the filter is rinsed.
If the manufacturer's instructions for your particular filter state that it can be washed, rinse it thoroughly and make sure dirt is removed from between the pleats.
Again, leave it to dry completely before refitting it to the vacuum.
The Shark Filter Everyone Forgets About
Even after cleaning the normal foam, felt and exhaust filters, there's another area worth checking.
Inside the Shark dust-bin and cyclone assembly you'll normally find a mesh or filter surface that helps separate dirt from the airflow.
This area can gradually become coated with fine dust.
Because it isn't a removable foam filter, it's very easy to forget that it exists – but if it becomes heavily clogged, it can create another restriction in the airflow before it reaches the motor.
How to Clean the Filter Inside a Shark Dust Bin
I generally clean this area dry rather than soaking it.
You can use:
- A dry toothbrush
- A soft cleaning brush
- A dry microfibre cloth
Carefully loosen and remove the layer of dust from the mesh or filter surface.
The exact cyclone and dust-bin construction varies considerably between Shark models, so avoid pouring water into areas that aren't specifically designed to be washed.
My Shark Still Has Poor Suction After Cleaning the Filters
If you've thoroughly cleaned the filters and allowed them to dry completely but the vacuum still has poor suction, don't immediately assume that the motor has failed.
The next thing I'd investigate is the airflow path for a blockage.
Check areas including:
- The floor-head airway
- The lower hose
- The main wand
- The flexible hose
- The inlet into the dust bin
- The cyclone and dust-bin assembly
A Shark can have perfectly clean filters and still lose most of its suction if something is blocking the airflow elsewhere in the machine.
How Often Should You Clean Shark Vacuum Filters?
There's no single interval that suits every household. A vacuum used daily in a home with pets is going to collect considerably more dust and hair than one used occasionally in a small home.
Rather than waiting for the vacuum to lose suction, inspect the filters regularly. If they're visibly coated in dust, it's time to clean them.
Also check them if you notice:
- Reduced suction
- The vacuum becoming unusually hot
- A dusty or unpleasant smell
- Poor pickup despite an empty dust bin
Shark Filter Cleaning Checklist
When you're servicing your Shark DuoClean or Lift-Away, remember all the filtration stages rather than cleaning only the obvious foam filter:
- Check and clean the foam pre-motor filter.
- Check the felt filter underneath it.
- Inspect the post-motor/exhaust filter.
- Remove accumulated dust from the filter or mesh inside the dust-bin assembly.
- Make sure every washable filter is completely dry before refitting.
Keeping all of these areas clean helps maintain unrestricted airflow through the vacuum and can make a noticeable difference to the suction of a Shark that hasn't had its filters maintained for a while.