How to Clean Dyson V11 and V15 Vacuum Filters
Remove, wash, and dry the one-piece filter unit on a Dyson V11 or V15 cordless vacuum to restore suction and protect the motor.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Cold tap water faucet
- ✓ Dry microfiber towel
- ✓ Drying rack or flat tray
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Clean room-temperature water
- ✓ Replacement Dyson filter (optional spare)
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Ensure the vacuum is removed from the charger and powered off before twisting off the filter.
- • Never use detergents, soaps, dishwashers, or washing machines; chemical residue damages the HEPA membrane.
- • Never place the wet filter into the vacuum or use a hairdryer/radiator to speed drying, which warps plastic seals.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (7 Steps)
Remove the Filter Unit
Grasp the purple or blue filter cap at the rear of the machine. Rotate it counter-clockwise about a quarter turn until the alignment dots disengage, then pull it straight back off the motor housing.
- • Filter assembly is completely detached from the rear handle.
- • Internal metal mesh of the motor housing is exposed and intact.
- • Pulling straight back without twisting first, risking snapped plastic locking tabs.
Tap Out Loose Dust
Hold the filter over a trash can with the open plastic base pointing downward. Firmly tap the hard plastic rim against your palm or the bin edge to dislodge packed dry debris.
- • Puffs of fine gray powder fall into the bin.
- • Pleated paper folds show less loose surface buildup.
- • Tapping the delicate pleated mesh directly against hard metal or sharp edges.
Rinse Under Cold Running Water
Place the filter under cold running tap water with the open end facing up, filling the central cavity. Rotate the unit while running water over the exterior pleated paper to flush out trapped dirt.
- • Water pools in the center core and flows outward through the pleats.
- • Runoff water transitions from murky gray/brown to clearer flow.
- • Using hot water, which can melt internal adhesive bonds and shrink plastic rings.
Agitate and Squeeze the Foam Core
Fill the filter cavity halfway with cold water, cup both open ends with your hands, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Gently massage the inner foam layer with your fingers to release deep-seated grime, then pour out dirty water.
- • Water dumped from inside the cylinder is clear and free of discolored sediment.
- • Internal foam returns to its original light color without dark streaks.
- • Wringing or twisting the filter like a washcloth, which breaks the rigid internal skeleton.
Expel Excess Water
Turn the filter open-end down and shake it firmly downward over the sink 5 to 10 times to fling out standing water. Wipe down the hard exterior plastic rim with a dry microfiber cloth.
- • No heavy water streams or large drops fling off during vigorous downward shakes.
- • External plastic rim is free of pooled water droplets.
- • Leaving heavy water saturated in the dense base, quadrupling the required drying time.
Air-Dry Horizontally for 24 Hours
Place the filter on its side or with the wide open end facing down on a drying rack in a well-ventilated, warm room. Leave undisturbed for a minimum of 24 full hours until completely bone dry inside and out.
- • Pleated paper feels crisp, light, and completely dry to the touch.
- • No condensation or damp darkness visible in the inner foam layer.
- • Placing the filter near radiators, open flames, or using a hairdryer, which warps the airtight seals.
Reinstall the Dry Filter
Align the open end of the filter onto the rear of the vacuum motor body. Push it flush and rotate clockwise roughly a quarter turn until the alignment marks line up and it clicks securely into place.
- • Filter sits flush against the main body with no gap along the seam.
- • Icons on the filter cap line up precisely with the lock mark on the machine handle.
- • Failing to turn until the lock point engages, leaving the filter loose.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Dyson — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Drying rack? A clean, dry dish towel placed on a flat counter in a well-ventilated room