How to Clean Dyson V8 Vacuum Filters
Learn how to remove, wash with cold water, thoroughly air-dry, and reinstall both the pre-motor and post-motor filters on a Dyson V8 cordless vacuum.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Sink with cold running water
- ✓ Clean dry towel or drying rack
- ✓ Microfiber cloth
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Cold tap water
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Ensure the vacuum is disconnected from the charger and powered off before removing filters.
- • Do not use detergents, soaps, dishwashers, or washing machines on the filters.
- • Never reinstall damp or wet filters to avoid severe motor damage and electrical hazards.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Disconnect Vacuum and Remove Pre-Filter
Ensure the vacuum is unplugged from the charger and the trigger is released. Grasp the top purple circular knob of the central pre-filter and pull straight up out of the cyclone assembly.
- • Long conical purple-topped filter is completely separated from the central cyclone body.
- • Vacuum handle and cyclone cavity are empty and visible.
- • Pulling at an angle or yanking aggressively instead of pulling straight up.
Remove Post-Motor HEPA Filter
Grip the purple rear filter cap located at the back of the vacuum handle. Rotate it counter-clockwise approximately a quarter turn until the alignment dots separate, then pull straight off.
- • Cylindrical rear filter is detached from the back of the handle.
- • Exposed rear motor housing shows clean locking notches.
- • Trying to pull the rear cap off directly without twisting to unlock.
Wash and Squeeze the Pre-Filter
Hold the long pre-filter under cold running tap water, letting water run over the outside fabric. Squeeze the filter body gently with both hands, repeating under running water until the runoff turns completely clear.
- • Water draining from the fabric filter tip is crystal clear with no gray tint.
- • Fabric surface is evenly soaked and free of visible dust caking.
- • Using hot water or soap, which deteriorates the filter media.
- • Wringing or twisting the filter aggressively, tearing the inner mesh.
Wash and Tap the Post-Motor Filter
Run cold water into the open end of the rear cylindrical filter while rotating it to wet all pleats. Fill the cavity, cover the open end with your palm, shake gently, then tap the plastic rim firmly against the sink side to dislodge embedded dust before a final rinse.
- • White pleated HEPA paper shows no dark soot or dirt stripes.
- • Rinse water draining from the open end is entirely clear.
- • Scrubbing the delicate pleated paper with brushes or abrasive pads.
- • Banging the filter too hard, cracking the plastic rim.
Air-Dry Both Filters for 24 Hours
Shake excess water out of both filters. Place the pre-filter horizontally and stand the post-motor filter wide-side down on a clean towel in a warm, well-ventilated area for a minimum of 24 hours.
- • Filters are placed upright/flat on a towel in a dry, airy room.
- • After 24 hours, fabric and paper feel completely dry, crisp, and room-temperature with no damp scent.
- • Using a hairdryer, radiator, tumble dryer, or open flame to speed up drying.
- • Reinstalling after only 4-6 hours when internal layers are still damp.
Reinstall Both Dry Filters
Slide the long pre-filter back into the central cyclone housing, pressing down firmly until fully seated. Align the dot on the rear post-motor filter with the unlock icon on the handle, push inward, and twist clockwise until the locked dots align.
- • Pre-filter purple knob sits flush with the top of the cyclone cone.
- • Rear filter locked icon aligns perfectly with the locator dot on the handle body.
- • Leaving the pre-filter partially raised, preventing a proper vacuum seal.
- • Cross-threading the rear cap lugs.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Dyson — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Drying rack? A layered dry cotton or microfiber towel placed on a flat counter