How To Clean Shop Vac Filters

How to clean a shop vac filter

My male parent gave me a piece of wisdom that opened my eyes to a fact. He said, "It's fairly ironic to clean an object designed to help you clean. Still, after you've cleaned that comb or toothbrush, information technology performs better than before."

With that thought in mind, when was the last fourth dimension you lot checked that shop vac filter and cleaned information technology?

As y'all use your store vacuum to make clean upwardly a surface, the filters inside blot dirt, grit, and other particles.

A buildup of these unwanted elements can lead to inefficiency, and that's why regular filter cleaning is vital for it to perform its best every time.

In this article, I'thou going to take you through a series of steps onhow to make clean a shop vac filter.

The Needed Materials and Tools

T rash bin or big container to store the dirt (preferably with a hat to protect from dust).
Two removable caps that will hold each end of the filter (you lot tin DIY wooden caps using MDF).
G iant nail or rod with a head for holding the filter and 2 caps during the cleaning process.
A p lastic lid with a hand-hole to protect yourself from dust clouds.
A hose for the air compressor
An air compressor (even a can of compressed air can work)
Safety Glasses
N95 mask or P100 respirator (to protect lungs from dust particles)

The Shop-Vac Filter Cleaning Process

Please annotation that the steps here do non involve washing the filter with water and volition work all-time for standard cartridge filters with a cylindrical shape.

Since these filters use newspaper elements, washing them with water can destroy information technology. So check with the manufacturer if you tin can wash information technology if that is your preferred method.

It is also applicable to HEPA filters that take the same cylindrical shape, just that would depend on the make, so e'er check the transmission if information technology is washable or non.

Disclaimer: I may earn a commission when you purchase an particular through the links below, but at no additional costs to you lot.

Step 1: Unplug the Power Cord

The start stride is unplugging your shop vac's power cord. While cleaning this filter is crucial, nosotros don't want you to become into any accidents (like electrocution) that may cause injuries.

Therefore, remember to unplug the power cord before doing anything else.

Pace two: Disassemble Your Shop-Vac to Remove the Filter

The all-time thing about shop vacs is that they're not complicated machines. Yous tin disassemble them easily to access the inner parts, where the filter is located.

If yous're not sure nigh the process to dismantle your machine, refer to the store vac's manual.

Remember to be gentle; you don't want to intermission parts that may cost y'all to supersede. Remove the filter carefully and place it in a large enough container.

Step 3: Tap the Filter Against the Bottom of the Trash Can

It's ever preferable to clean your filter outdoors. Specially if it has gone a long time without cleaning, the process may produce a lot of dust that may country on other items if you lot practise it indoors.

Also, put on safety spectacles to forestall clay and debris particles from getting into your eyes. Wear a mask every bit protection from dust clouds that will grade as you tap the filter in the container.

With the filter within, embrace the trash receptacle with the hand-holed plastic lid. Even if yous're conducting this process outdoors, you may not want droppings particles to spread all over the identify.

You lot desire them in one place for easy disposal. The lid helps contain any unwanted particles inside the trash can, and the hole on the encompass allows you lot to hold the filter while still in the vessel.

Tap the filter on the can's sides and bottom until a significant amount of particles drib off from its folds. Repeat this action several times while turning it round and round. Do this until most of the particles that clog the filter's crannies and nooks fall off.

The unwanted debris will settle at the bottom of the can. Dump the particles and tap the trash tin to remove any dust that might exist clinging onto the sides.

Pace four: Comprehend Both Ends of the Filter Using the Removable Caps

If your filter does not have permanent caps at its two ends, the 2 removable caps will do the play tricks. The purpose of the cap is the protect the inner parts of the filter from the debris that come up off the outer part.

These caps should have a hole that will allow the giant blast to laissez passer through the filter from one end to the other.

A better alternative would be using a rod with a protruding head every bit it is smoother and safer to use since the other terminate isn't pointed.

The caput of the boom or rod helps secure the filter and caps in place for the next step.

Step five: Blow the Filter Using an Air Compressor or Compressor Can

With your filter closed at both ends with the cap, and a giant nail passing from one end to some other, y'all can perform this pace.

Connect your air compressor equipment to the hose and hold the filter using the nail or rod.

To prevent it from falling off, allow the nail head side be at the lesser and hold the filter from the other side.

The giant boom (or rod) holds the filter in place and as well allows it to spin equally air blows into the grooves. This high-speed air helps to remove any remaining dirt particles that did non come up off during tapping.

To achieve even amend results, spin information technology moderately to allow the compressed air to become into the folds' hidden layers.

Keep in mind that this activity causes a dust deject. Therefore, stand upwind to avert blowing the dust directly onto your face. Better nevertheless, wear a mask to protect your lungs.

If you observe stubborn clay particles within the grooves, utilize a stick (with a blunt edge) to rake them out and blow air again to remove them altogether.

Step 6: Reinstall the Filter

In one case you're satisfied with steps 1 to 5, reinstall the filter. You can now expect that your machine will perform better than before, especially if clay was the main cause of inefficiency.

Don't wait for months or years before cleaning the filter once again. Do it regularly, and your shop vac volition cheers past performing efficiently.

As y'all've seen, cleaning a shop-vac isn't complicated and doesn't take a lot of time. If you detect trouble following the above steps, scout thisvideoand learn.

How to Clean Other Types of Shop Vac Filters?

Not all shop vacs utilize the same cylindrical filter, then this section will focus on how to launder the other types. Realize that these filters should be paw-washed, don't use a machine. Also, avoid using detergents – tap h2o will be sufficient for the task.

Foam sleeve: These filters are institute in wet/dry store vacs to filter out damp particles. Shake it in an up and down motion to dislodge debris if that doesn't work rinse from the inside, going out it under running water for a few minutes. Leave the filter to dry earlier reattaching it to the vacuum. Attaching a moisture filter may crusade mold and mildew to form.
Reusable dry filters: The best way to clean this blazon of filter is to wash information technology under running water to remove trapped dirt. Ensure that the filter is dry out prior to attaching it to the vacuum.
HEPA Filter: The steps to cleaning a HEPA filter is the same as the steps outlined above, but one difference is yous tin rinse the outer part with running water. Please brand sure that it completely dries earlier placing it back in the shop vac. Some merchants recommend using a filter flosser to make the rinsing part more efficient, only it costs extra money, so it'due south up to you if y'all want to incur that extra expense.

How Often Should You Change a Shop Vac Filter?

There are times when changing a shop vac filter is the nearly appropriate decision. During these situations, cleaning tin can't restore the automobile's optimal performance, and a new filter is required. How can you know yous need to supersede this element? Here are signs you should expect out for:

The suction ability of the store vacuum is still low fifty-fifty afterwards cleaning the filter.
The appliance leaves a trail of dust behind you lot after you lot've cleaned a surface.
There is "blowing smoke" from the vacuum.

The rule of the pollex is paying attention to your store vac'south suction. If the performance doesn't improve even after a thorough clean, it's time to change the filter.

Can You Use a Shop Vac Without a Filter?

It's not appropriate to use your shop vac without a filter. Doing so makes debris enter the motor and impeller of the vacuum, causing damage and shortening the appliance's life.

Additionally, even if you can employ a store vac without a filter, the motorcar will accident fine dust back into the air, something that defeats the purpose of using a vacuum.

In unproblematic words, a shop-vac can work without a filter, simply information technology won't as well as information technology should. You lot are likely to make the place messier than it was.

How Do You Go on a Shop Vac Filter from Clogging?

shop vac filter close up

Shop-vac filters that clog every now and and so tin can be a minor inconvenience when it comes to the time that information technology takes from disassembly to cleaning.

For people who use their shop vacuums to clean fine stuff like sawdust, it can be a nightmare every bit debris like this quickly clogs up the filter.

One way of prolonging the intervals of filter cleanups is by using a pre-separator.

A pre-separator directs most of the dirt and debris into another location, ensuring they don't accomplish where they're non wanted. The lesser the contaminants in the filters, the fewer the chances of clogging, and the ameliorate the suction ability.

There are several types bachelor:

1. A w ashable cloth bag that covers the whole filter and adds a layer to protect fine particles from clogging it at a rapid pace.

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2. A cyclone dust collector that collects a percent of the debris before it reaches the shop vacuum. There are industrial grade versions of this that accept more capacity like this Onieda Palatial Grit Deputy Kit. The latter choice is more expensive merely could be worth information technology if y'all put your shop vac through a lot of abuse.

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3. DIY pre-separator using a bucket and hoses if you lot're a Exercise-It-Yourselfer who likes to build stuff. Check this video to larn how to make one yourself.