To clean a filter in a Shark vacuum, follow these steps:
- Turn off and unplug the vacuum: Before starting any maintenance, ensure that the vacuum is switched off and unplugged from the power source.
- Locate the filter: The filter in a Shark vacuum is usually located near the dust cup or the motor. Refer to the user manual or the manufacturer's instructions for the specific model to find the exact location.
- Remove the filter: Depending on the model, the filter may either be a foam filter, a felt filter, or both. Carefully remove the filter(s) from its housing.
- Shake off loose debris: Take the filter outside or over a garbage bin and gently tap or shake it to remove any loose debris or dust. This step will help to get rid of larger particles before proceeding.
- Wash with water: Rinse the filter under running water to remove any remaining dirt and debris. For foam filters, use only cold water, and for felt filters, lukewarm water is preferred. Avoid using any cleaning agents or soaps as they may damage the filter.
- Squeeze out excess water: Once the filter is thoroughly rinsed, gently squeeze the excess water out. Be careful not to twist or wring the filter too hard, as it may cause damage.
- Allow the filter to dry: Set the filter aside in a well-ventilated area and let it air dry completely. This process may take a few hours, but it's important to ensure that the filter is completely dry to prevent mold or mildew growth.
- Reinstall the filter: Once the filter is dry, reinsert it back into its housing. Ensure that it fits securely and is properly aligned.
- Maintain regular filter cleaning: It's recommended to clean the filter on a regular basis, ideally every one to three months, depending on usage. Regular maintenance will help maintain optimal performance and extend the life of your Shark vacuum.
Note: It's important to consult the user manual or the manufacturer's instructions specific to your Shark vacuum model for accurate and detailed instructions on filter cleaning, as different models may have variations in design and maintenance procedures.
Best Shark Vacuums of 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins, HairPro, Powered Lift-Away, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Navy
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THE MOST POWERFUL SHARK: The strongest suction and best hair pickup of any Shark vacuum..1416.0 watts
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DUOCLEAN POWERFINS HAIRPRO: Two brushroll system that grips & captures more dirt, debris & hair in every pass.
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GUARDS AGAINST BAD ODORS: Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against bad odors inside your vacuum for a fresher smelling home
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NO HAIR WRAP: Self-cleaning brushroll delivers powerful pet hair pickup without wrapping hair.
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POWERED LIFT-AWAY Lift away the pod for motorized cleaning under furniture, or detach the nozzle and clean above the floor
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ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger.)
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ANTI-WRAP DUST CUP: Removable dust cup with Anti-Wrap technology to eject all debris without ever touching the mess.
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LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED: Stratos Upright Vacuum, HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush, Odor Neutralizer Technology Cartridge, Crevice Tool & Upholstery Tool.
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HYPERVELOCITY + ACCELERATED SUCTION :A high-speed motor and streamlined air path deliver incredible suction power for the toughest messes.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, LED Headlights, Wide Upholstery Tool, Dusting Brush & Crevice Tool, White/Red, 12, 18, 14.
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LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
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ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
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ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
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LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
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WIDE UPHOLSTERY TOOL: The wide cleaning path helps remove pet hair, dust, and large debris from mattresses, couches, curtains, lampshades, and other delicate upholstered surfaces.
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DUSTING BRUSH: Dust and clean delicate surfaces, like fans, blinds, lampshades, and keyboards.
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CREVICE TOOL: Great for cleaning tight spaces, between couch cushions, and in hard-to-reach areas.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED: Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, Wide Upholstery Tool, Dusting Brush & Crevice Tool.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Shark ZU503AMZ Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with Self-Cleaning Brushroll, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Pet Crevice Tool, Perfect for Pets & Multi-Surface, Teal
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SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Engineered for more pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle nozzles)..Voltage:120 volts. Wattage : 1200 watts
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LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
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ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
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PERFECT FOR PETS: The Pet Crevice Tool removes pet hair from hard-to-reach spaces like corners, ceilings, and between couch cushions.
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SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
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UPHOLSTERY TOOL: Picks up pet hair and debris from curtains, lampshades, and other delicate fabrics, as well as shelves, tables, and walls.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED: Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, Upholstery Tool, Pet Crevice Tool, & Owner’s Guide.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Large Dust Cup Capacity, LED Headlights, Upholstery Tool, Perfect Pet Power Brush & Crevice Tool, Bordeaux
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2-IN-1 POWERED LIFT-AWAY TECHNOLOGY: Allows you to lift the pod away to deep-clean hard-to-reach areas, like under furniture, while the powered brushroll keeps spinning.
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ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
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ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger.)
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LARGE-CAPACITY DUST CUP: 0.88-quart capacity for longer cleaning sessions. Easily remove dust cup to empty debris in seconds.
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LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
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MULTI-SURFACE CLEANING: Fingertip controls allow you to easily switch from Hard Floor to Carpet mode.
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PERFECT FOR PETS: Includes a self-cleaning Pet Power Brush, designed to remove pet hair and ground-in dirt from carpeted stairs and upholstery.
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UPHOLSTERY TOOL: Picks up pet hair and debris from curtains, lampshades, and other delicate fabrics, as well as shelves, tables, and walls.
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CREVICE TOOL: Access corners, baseboards, tight spaces, and ceilings for versatile cleaning.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED: Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum, Upholstery Tool, Pet Power Brush & Crevice Tool.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Shark HZ602 Ultralight Pet Pro Corded Stick Vacuum with PowerFins & Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Perfect for Pets, Converts to Hand Vacuum, Pet Power Brush, Crevice & Upholstery Tools, Comet Red
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POWERFINS: Provide continuous cleaning contact, digging deep into carpets and directly engaging floors.
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NO HAIR WRAP: Pick up more hair with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle brushrolls).
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ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT: Powerful suction in a hand vacuum that weighs less than 3 lbs.
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SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
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REMOVABLE DUST CUP: Removable, easy-to-empty dust cup.
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LED HEADLIGHTS: Headlights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris and pet hair around your home.
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LOW-PROFILE DESIGN: Allows you to easily reach under furniture.
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ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: For excellent maneuverability around furniture.
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PRECISION HANDHELD VACUUM: Tapered design for cleaning tight spaces.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED: HZ602 Corded Stick Vacuum, Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool, Pet Power Brush, and Onboard Storage Clip.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Shark LA702 Rotator Pet Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Wine Purple, 0.8 Qt. Dust Cup
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DUOCLEAN POWERFINS HAIRPRO: The two-brushroll system digs deep into carpets, directly engages hard floors, and picks up dirt, debris, and hair in every pass.
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NO HAIR WRAP: The self-cleaning brushroll delivers powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
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GUARDS AGAINST BAD ODORS: Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against bad odors inside your vacuum for a fresher-smelling home (vs. Shark LA702 without Odor Neutralizer Technology).
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LIFT-AWAY: Just step on the pedal to lift away the pod to clean stairs, furniture, and everywhere else in your home.
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NO VACUUM EMITS CLEANER AIR: Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology with a HEPA filter traps 99.97% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner, keeping them out of the air you breathe. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles 0.3 microns and larger.)
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LED HEADLIGHTS: Powerful lights on the nozzle reveal hidden debris around your home.
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ADVANCED SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
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SPECIALIZED CLEANING TOOLS (LA702): The Crevice Tool cleans in tight spaces, while the Upholstery Tool picks up pet hair, dust, and large debris from mattresses, couches, and more. The Anti-Allergen Dust Brush removes fine dust and allergen particles from delicate surfaces.
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What's Included: Shark Pet Lift-Away Vacuum, Crevice Tool, Upholstery tool, & Anti-allergen dust brush.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Shark ZU102 Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum with PowerFins HairPro & Odor Neutralizer Technology, Charcoal, 2.9 L Dust Cup
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POWERFINS HAIRPRO: Actively grips & captures stubborn long hair, short hair, and pet hair, on carpets & floors.
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SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: For powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
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ODOR NEUTRALIZER TECHNOLOGY: Guards against bad odors inside your vacuum for a fresher-smelling home. (vs. Shark ZU102 without Odor Neutralizer Technology.)
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ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner, keeping them out of the air you breathe. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles 0.3 microns and larger.)
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3XL CAPACITY: For long cleaning sessions with fewer interruptions to empty the dust cup.
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EXTENDABLE HOSE: The hose extends for up to 12 feet of total reach, so you can access hard-to-clean areas above the floor like stairs, furniture, and more.
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SWIVEL STEERING: Swivel Steering lets you easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
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CLEANS CARPETS AND HARD FLOORS: Removes dust and debris and pulls embedded long, short, and pet hair from both carpets and floors.
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WARRANTY: 5-year limited warranty.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED: ZU102 Upright Vacuum, Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool, Odor Neutralization Technology Cartridge.
How to extend the lifespan of a filter in a Shark vacuum?
To extend the lifespan of a filter in a Shark vacuum, you can follow these steps:
- Regularly clean the filter: Depending on the frequency of use and the type of debris being vacuumed, the filter can become clogged with dust and dirt. Check the filter regularly and clean it as needed. Most Shark vacuum filters are washable, so follow the manufacturer's instructions for removing and rinsing the filter under water. Allow it to air dry completely before reinstalling.
- Use a pre-filter or filter cleaning brush: Some Shark vacuum models come with a pre-filter or include a filter cleaning brush. These tools can help remove larger particles and debris from the filter, making it easier to clean and increasing its lifespan. If your vacuum doesn't come with one, you can use a soft brush or toothbrush to gently remove debris from the filter before cleaning it.
- Avoid vacuuming wet or damp substances: Most Shark vacuum filters are not designed to handle wet or damp debris. Ensure that the substances you are vacuuming are dry to prevent moisture from damaging the filter.
- Empty the dust cup regularly: A full dust cup can cause the filter to work harder and become clogged. Empty the dust cup after each use or whenever it reaches the recommended capacity to prevent excessive debris buildup in the filter.
- Periodically replace the filter: Despite regular cleaning and maintenance, filters will eventually wear out and lose efficiency. Check the manufacturer's recommendations on when to replace the filter and be sure to do so when required.
By following these tips, you can help prolong the life of your Shark vacuum filter and maintain optimal performance.
What is the best way to clean a Shark vacuum filter?
To clean a Shark vacuum filter, you can follow these steps:
- Turn off and unplug the vacuum: Ensure the vacuum is powered off and unplugged from the electrical outlet to avoid any accidents.
- Remove the filter: Depending on the Shark vacuum model, filters are usually located either on top or in the dust cup area. You may need to twist or pull a latch to remove the filter from its compartment.
- Shake off loose debris: Take the filter outside or over a trash can and gently tap or shake it to remove loose dirt and debris.
- Rinse under water: Rinse the filter under running water to remove stubborn dirt. Use cool water and avoid using hot water as it may damage the filter. If there is excessive buildup, you can use a soft brush to gently scrub the filter while rinsing it.
- Do not use soap: Avoid using soap or detergent to clean the filter, as it can leave residue that may impact suction or create an unpleasant odor.
- Dry the filter: After rinsing, squeeze out any excess water from the filter, but avoid twisting or wringing it. Set the filter aside to air dry completely. Make sure it is completely dry before reinstalling it as a wet filter can damage the vacuum or reduce its suction power.
- Reinstall the filter: Once dry, place the clean and dry filter back into its compartment, ensuring it is securely in place for proper vacuum operation.
It is generally recommended to clean the filter every 2-3 months, or more frequently if you have pets or vacuum frequently in high-traffic areas. Always refer to the user manual specific to your Shark vacuum for detailed instructions on cleaning and maintenance.
What is the function of a post-motor filter in a Shark vacuum?
The function of a post-motor filter in a Shark vacuum is to capture fine particles, dust, and allergens that may pass through the vacuum's motor. It helps to ensure that the air expelled by the vacuum is clean and free from any microscopic debris. The post-motor filter plays an important role in maintaining the overall air quality in the room after vacuuming.
