Frankly, vacuuming is not a task that anybody wants to be doing regularly. But it is a necessary house chore. While at it, homeowners need to know how to keep a vacuum cleaner in top-notch condition. And that involves knowing how to clean a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

As people use their vacuum day-to-day, the filter tends to accumulate some dirt. If a lot of dirt accumulates, the filter might clog, and the vacuum's suction power becomes weaker. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's time for a new purchase. Instead, a simple clean-up can do.

With that said, this post will cover how to clean vacuum HEPA filters.

What Is a HEPA Filter?

For starters, HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. But what exactly is a HEPA filter? Simply put, this is a type of filter that's capable of trapping very tiny particles. Vacuums that don't have this type of filter will just recirculate the small particles into the air.

Vacuums that have a HEPA filtration system are ideal for reducing dander, dust, as well as common allergens that occur in homes. They work best for people that suffer from some respiratory conditions, or those who have allergies.

There also exist true or absolute HEPA filters. Such filters have undergone numerous tests to make sure they meet specific standards. Their filtration system can trap up to 99.97 percent of tiny particles of about 0.3 microns. The filtration performance of such vacuums is usually indicated in the product's description.

How Does a HEPA Filter Work in a Vacuum Cleaner?

To understand how HEPA filters work in vacuums, individuals need to understand the basic operation of a vacuum. Technically, a vacuum works through suction. The suction power pulls the contaminants that get loosened by the vacuum's rotating brush from upholstery or carpets.

The air then gets into the vacuum's bag or a collection chamber then gets recirculated into the house. Now, if the vacuum doesn't have a HEPA filtration system, tiny particles and allergens will get recirculated into the room.

Conventional vacuums are meant to collect large dust particles or large contaminants, including pet hair. That means tiny particles will be blown back into the room during the air filtering process. With a HEPA filter, however, this is not the case.

Such systems are designed to filter tiny, micron-sized particles. A true or absolute HEPA filter will trap 99.97 percent of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size. And that's how this filtration system works in vacuum cleaners.

How to Clean a Vacuum HEPA Filter?

Those who have a robotic vacuum such as Dreame, they must learn how to clean the HEPA filter without damaging it. Here's how to go about it.
First, one has to determine whether the filter is washable or not (usually indicated on the label). Why's that? Well, most HEPA filters are made of fibers, and using water might damage the fibers which are responsible for trapping the tiny particles.

With that out of the way, here's how to go about the cleaning.

First, get the vacuum outside and make sure that all the tools are in place. The tools one gets should coincide with the type of filter a vacuum has (washable or non-washable).

Here's how to clean a washable vacuum filter.

1. Unscrew the vacuum cleaner to expose the filter
2. Remove the filter from the vacuum
3. Dip the filter in water that has a mild detergent, then wash it until it is clean
4. Rinse it properly
5. Leave the filter to dry completely. Why's that? A damp filter cannot operate effectively

Here are the basic steps on how to clean a vacuum with a non-washable filter.

1. Remove the vacuum cleaner outside or place it in your preferred washing location
2. Unscrew the vacuum to expose the filter section
3. Remove the filter from the vacuum
4. Get a brush and remove the excess dust and fluff from the outside part of the filter
5. Take a thorough look to make sure that the filter is completely clean

Remember, the inside part of the filter will not require cleaning because it's usually clean. The cleaning needs to be done whenever one notices the filter is dirty. A vacuum with a clean HEPA filter will perform tremendously.

How Often Should You Clean the Vacuum HEPA Filter?

Now, cleaning a HEPA filter depends on the brand and model of the vacuum a person uses. Overall, people need to ensure that the filter is always clean.

The frequency of cleaning depends on how and when someone uses their vacuum.

If a person uses a vacuum daily, then it's recommended to clean the HEPA filter weekly.

If an individual uses the vacuum less often such as weekly, then the HEPA filter needs proper cleaning monthly.

However, manufacturers advise people who use their vacuums less frequently to clean the HEPA filters after every three to six months.

Conclusion

A vacuum cleaner is an essential piece of home equipment. Therefore, it requires proper care. Particularly, if it uses HEPA filtration. A vacuum HEPA filter needs cleaning from time to time based on the frequency of usage. Overall, a clean HEPA filter makes sure the vacuum is in top-notch working condition.