Novah / Give suction a clear path
How to clean a vacuum cleaner. Help the helper.
Your vacuum spends its days collecting everyone else's mess. Occasionally, it needs a little attention itself. A clear airway and dry clean filters beat buying a stronger cleaner for an appliance that never needed one.
Go to the steps
Empty it. Clear hair. Wash only washable filters.
For the Dyson V8 example, switch off and disconnect from charging. Empty the bin, clear reachable blockages and remove wrapped hair from the dry brush. Remove the washable filters and rinse them in cold water without detergent. Leave them to air dry for at least 24 hours and until completely dry before refitting. Do not wash the motor, cyclone assembly or powered cleaner head.
The job, at a glance
The vacuum-care schedule that leaves time to dry
Worked example: Dyson V8 with its cone-shaped pre-filter and rear post-filter. Bagged vacuums and non-washable exhaust filters are a separate route; their filters are not made washable by looking dusty.
- Hands-on care
- 10–15 minOur estimate for emptying, hair removal and filter rinsing.
- Filter drying
- 24+ hoursDyson's minimum, and longer if any moisture remains.
- Filter cleaner
- Cold waterNo detergent, perfume or fabric softener.
Dyson V8: separate the wet and dry jobs
Lift the cone-shaped filter out from the top. Remove the rear filter by turning it anticlockwise. These removable filters get cold water. The cyclone unit, motor body and powered brush head stay dry. Match this two-filter layout before following the removal steps.
Buy only what is missing
No cleaner to buy for the filters.
Cold tap water is the cleaning medium for these washable V8 filters. A replacement filter is for a damaged or worn part, not the automatic shopping answer to a dusty one.
Optional
SINI Yleisliina microfiber cloth
One 30 × 30 cm cloth
Optional soft cloth for the bin and exterior. It is not a filter-washing product.
Retailer prices were checked on the dates shown and may change. These are shopping suggestions, not products sold by Novah. Check delivery and local store stock before buying.
01 / Before you start
Do this after vacuuming, not five minutes before.
The cleaning work is short. Drying the filters is the part you cannot rush.
Power and charging off
Switch off and disconnect the charger before opening the bin, removing filters or working on the brush. Keep fingers away from the trigger.
Dry airway inspection
Remove the wand and head at their release buttons. Look through the wand and accessible connections. Lift out visible debris without poking sharp objects into the body.
A full day for drying
Set aside at least 24 hours with the filters in an airy place. Leave the vacuum unused until the filters are completely dry.
02 / The steps
Follow the path the dust takes.
Do the bin and brush first. Move to the sink only with the removed washable filters.
Empty the bin below its maximum line.
Hold the switched-off vacuum over the bin. Use its red emptying control to open the base and release the dust. Remove fluff that has caught around the exposed shroud with a dry cloth, then close the base securely. Do not wait until dust is packed above the MAX line.
Guidance from: Dyson · V8 user maintenance manual (opens in a new tab)
Clear the wand and head connections.
Press the release buttons to separate wand and head. Look into both ends of the wand and lift out accessible plugs of fluff. Do not force tools into the motor or dismantle a sealed section. Repeated pulsing can be an airflow blockage, not a reason to spray cleaner inside.
Free the brush from wrapped hair.
With the powered head disconnected, use a coin to release its marked brush end cap and slide out the brush bar if your V8 head has that removable layout. Lift wrapped hair with your fingers; cut only the hair carefully with blunt-tip scissors. Keep the bristles and plastic clear of the blades. Wipe the brush dry and refit its end cap securely.
Keep the powered head and its electrical connections dry. Do not turn a motorised head into a sink-washing job.
Guidance from: Dyson · V8 user maintenance manual (opens in a new tab)
Remove and rinse the two washable filters.
Lift out the top cone filter and twist off the rear filter anticlockwise. Wash each in cold water only. Gently rinse and work water through the filter until the water runs clear. Do not put them in the dishwasher or washing machine, and do not add dish soap or scented products.
Guidance from: Dyson · V8 user maintenance manual (opens in a new tab)Dyson Finland · V8 filters, cold water and drying (opens in a new tab)
Shake out water and leave for at least 24 hours.
Gently squeeze the flexible pre-filter to remove water and shake water from the rear filter. Stand the rear filter upright with its open end upward on a clean surface. Air dry both for at least 24 hours. Keep them away from a radiator, tumble dryer, oven and direct heat.
Guidance from: Dyson · V8 user maintenance manual (opens in a new tab)
Refit only fully dry parts and check suction.
Check folds, rims and the inside for moisture. If any remain damp, wait longer. Refit the top filter and turn the rear filter clockwise into place. Reconnect the dry wand and head, close the bin and try the vacuum on a small ordinary dusty area. If it still pulses or overheats, stop and arrange service.
Things that do not improve suction.
A damp filter put back early
A timer alone does not prove dryness. Check the inside and folds too, and wait longer if needed.
Perfume in the filter
Dyson warns against fragrances or scented products on filters. They are not a freshness upgrade.
Washing a non-washable filter
A paper or non-washable exhaust filter needs its proper replacement part. Do not apply the V8 water routine to a different vacuum's filter.
03 / The finishing touch
The helper is ready to help again.
Aim for a clear air path, an empty bin and completely dry filters. Dyson recommends washing V8 filters at least monthly, with more frequent care when dust and use demand it.
- The bin is closed and below MAX.
- Hair and visible blockages are removed.
- Every washed filter has dried for at least 24 hours and is fully dry.
04 / Questions
Questions
Do I need to buy new filters every time?
No. The washable V8 filters are intended for repeated rinsing. Replace a damaged or worn filter with the correct part; do not substitute a visually similar filter that does not fit.
Can I dry them on a radiator?
No. Use normal air drying away from direct heat. At least 24 hours and complete dryness are both required before refitting.
Guidance from: Dyson · V8 user maintenance manual (opens in a new tab)
Does this work for a bagged Miele or Bosch?
The dry bin, airway and brush principles help, but the filter-washing route is specific. Bagged machines use their exact bag and exhaust-filter parts. Do not rinse a non-washable HEPA or paper filter.
What should I buy for a bad smell?
Start by emptying trapped debris and checking the brush and filters. Perfume is not the fix. A persistent burnt smell, overheating or a wet motor needs service, not a stronger cleaning spray.
Sources & material instructions
Novah
Leave the rest of the home to us.
Keep this guide for the small jobs between visits. If you would like help with everyday home cleaning in Helsinki, Espoo or Vantaa, tell us what your home needs. Specialist appliance servicing and textile restoration are separate tasks.
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