Yes, You Really Do Need to Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner—Here's How

After Every Use: Clean the Brushes and Bristles

After each use, check all the brushes and bristles to ensure there’s no trapped debris or hair stuck to them. If there’s any hair or loose strings wrapped around a brush, don’t pull it: Use a pair of scissors to cut it out instead. Next, spray the brushes with a disinfectant spray to sanitize.

After Every Few Uses: Empty the Vacuum Cannister

According to the Vacuum Experts, rather than allowing your vacuum’s canister to fill up all the way, try emptying it out every single time you use it. At the very least, “empty the vacuum once it reaches half to two-thirds of the way full as a matter of habit,” a Vacuum Experts blog post recommends.

This way you’ll be tossing out any potential germs or bacteria before they have time to take hold in your vacuum. By emptying the canister you’ll also be helping boost your vacuum’s performance.

About Once a Month: Check and Soak the Filters

Though cleaning vacuum filters needs to be a big part of your yearly routine, they should also be checked a bit more often, as in every month. Check your vacuum’s manual to see where each filter is located and how to detach it properly. Then, if it’s washable, just remove it, shake it, and rinse it under cool running water. Lay it out to let it fully dry.

Every 12 to 18 Months: Disassemble Your Vacuum to Deep Clean

While you need to clean the individual parts more often, the Vacuum Experts say it’s also a good rule of thumb to take apart the entire vacuum and scrub it down—about once a year. To do so, you’ll need a few things: hot water, dish soap, a cleaning brush, and a can of compressed air.

Start by taking apart all the parts; soak the canister or any other washable parts like attachments. Give them all a good scrub and let them completely dry before putting them back together. Then use the can of compressed air to expel any dust or debris hidden in the nooks and crannies of the vacuum. Don’t forget to wipe down the external parts with a cleaning wipe, too.

Every Decade: Replace Your Vacuum

Unsurprisingly, a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that the older the vacuum, the more pollutants it emitted. That means if you’ve got a hand-me-down vacuum from your great-aunt, it’s probably time to toss it.

According to Consumer Reports, vacuums last a median of eight years. However, if you follow the guidelines above and take care of your vacuum you should be able to stretch its use to the 10-year mark. Otherwise, you could just be dragging 10-year-old dirt all over your house. Maybe it's time to splurge on that cordless vacuum cleaner you've been eyeing. Or, consider whether a robot vacuum would work better for your space.