Do you want to learn how to clean your Dyson V7 filter? Let’s talk about that.
The Dyson V7 series may not be made up of the most powerful vacuums in the V-range, but they’re still magnificent cleaning tools, especially if you take good care of them with some regular filter maintenance.
No good can come of clogged vacuum filters.
The blockage will inhibit the suction of the hoover, thereby diminishing its cleaning capabilities; the air it throws back out into your space will be contaminated with particulate matter (not great for allergies); and the motor has to work double-time, reducing service life.
Not to worry though — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compose this step-by-step guide to reviving the filters in a V7 Dyson vacuum!
What Do I Need To Clean My Dyson V7 Filter?
You’ll be happy to hear that you need very little to give your V7 filters a once over, so no need to make any additional purchases. As long as you have the following, you’re ready to get started:
- The clogged filters
- Cold running water
- A warm, airy spot the filters can rest while drying
Here’s how it goes down.
Cleaning A Dyson V7 Filter: A Step-By-Step Guide
Cleaning V7 filters is a very easy process, but it can be a little confusing if you’ve never done it before, which is why we’ve broken it down into digestible chunks below.
Powering Down Your Dyson Vacuum
Your first port of call should be to make sure your vacuum is switched off.
Disconnect it from the charger, and keep your hands well away from the activation trigger while moving through the following steps.
It is also wise to remove the battery for this process.
Finding & Removing The Filters
You may have noticed that we’ve been saying filters, plural, rather than filter. We’re not just losing our marbles; V7 (and V8) models have a dual filtration system.
The pre filter cleans the air on the way in, and the post filter takes care of anything that slips through the cracks, leaving you to enjoy clean air as well as clean floors.
It does, however, mean that you have to extract both filters from your V7 to do a thorough job. Thankfully, they’re easy to find!
The pre filter is hidden in the top of the cyclone/bin. You can identify it by a little knob sticking up. Simply grab it and pull to release it from the vacuum.
To recover the post filter, you have to turn the cylindrical end of the enclosure above the handle counterclockwise while pulling away from the unit. It should come right out.
Washing The Filters
As we touched upon earlier, all you need is cold running water to clean these filters, but before you rinse, give both filters a few taps on the side of your sink to try and knock some debris loose.
When you’re ready, take the pre filter and give it a thorough rinse. For the best results, allow water to pass through the middle and through the walls of the filter.
Once every so often, give it another tap on the edge of your sink to dislodge more debris. Rinse and tap until the water drains clear, wring out the soft central section, then set the filter aside.
Next, take the post filter, rinse it, tapping it against the sink edge now and again, just as you did with the pre filter. Once the water drains clear, you can set it aside.
Drying The Filters
The key to an efficient drying process is to find a nice warm spot that gets plenty of air.
Dyson recommends waiting 24 hours for the filters to air dry completely. Then, you’ve got the go-ahead to reassemble your vacuum.
Reassembly
Returning your now clean filters to the vacuum unit is a pretty intuitive process, but let’s quickly run over it now just to cover all bases.
- The pre filter – which is the squeezy one – slides right back into the top of the cyclone/bin.
- The post filter – the plasticky cylindrical one – can be replaced by inverting the method you used to remove it. Instead of turning it counterclockwise and pulling away from the unit, place it against the connective zone, then turn clockwise until the two pairs of dots on the enclosure line up.
When Should I Change My Dyson V7 Filter?
For most, changing the filters in their Dyson V7 vacuum is an annual thing, but if you vacuum frequently, have a bunch of pets, or have a much larger area to cover, switching them out every 3 months or so will ensure your machine stays in tip-top condition.
In terms of what replacements you should buy, we love this set from Leadaybetter that arrives with two of each filter.
We highly recommend always keeping a backup to hand to avoid waiting periods for new filters, so this set is just the ticket.
Why Do I Have To Change My Dyson V7 Filter?
Changing filters may seem like a hassle, but it’s the most essential bit of vacuum maintenance there is.
When you let your filters sit idle, accumulating debris and gunk, they limit airflow, which reduces suction, and the air that does pass through your vacuum remains contaminated.
What’s more, the suction motor has to work harder, cutting its lifespan short.
It’s in your best interest to fork out for the replacement filters every so often, as they’re not very expensive at all, but your Dyson V7 is!
Can I Use Hot Water And Soap On My Dyson V7 Filter?
You’d be forgiven for thinking a good wash with hot water and soap would do your V7 filters the world of good, but that’s not at all the case.
Dyson are very clear that you should only ever use cold water.
This is likely because hot water and soap will fast-track the degradation of the filter materials and limit their performance.
Other Filters
If you own a different model of Dyson vacuums, don’t worry, we also have guides on how to clean filters for the Dyson V6, the Dyson V8 and the Dyson V10 models.
Final Thoughts
That’s all there is to it! Follow these steps to the word, and your V7 will be revitalized and ready to tackle anything your floors can throw at it!
Something we didn’t mention that you may also want to work into your maintenance routine is a quick integrity check.
Before washing, just give your filters a quick visual inspection. If you see any cracks or tears, you can forgo the wash and order some new ones right away.