Ever wondered where is dirt stored in a stick vacuum? Let’s talk about that.
With technology always developing, creatives are always finding new solutions to problems which used to bother us.
These vary in usefulness and importance, but one which has become particularly prevalent is the move from corded vacuums which need a constant connection to a power source, to cordless stick vacuums which do not have this limitation.
While cordless stick vacuums do have some drawbacks like having to recharge them regularly and a battery which can start to degrade in quality after extended use, there is a reason why they are becoming more and more popular.
However, there are some more basic questions which tend to have more complex answers than it may seem.
It is often that the answers to these questions will vary depending on the type of vacuum which is being used. However, there are also some questions which have deceptively simple answers as well.
The question this article is aiming to answer is that of where the dirt is stored in these bagless stick vacuums.
With these vacuum cleaners often having such sleek lightweight designs, it is a common worry for those used to traditional vacuum cleaners to wonder how well the vacuum is able to store the dirt it is vacuuming and where it stays.
There are also a few questions related to this like if this dirt gets filtered and how much of a capacity these vacuum cleaners have.
This article will answer all of these questions and give you the knowledge you need to know how stick vacuum cleaners store their dirt. For the answers you need, keep reading!
What Are Stick Vacuums
Stick vacuums tend to be much more convenient and lightweight in design which makes them much easier to use for extended periods of time without getting tired.
They tend to not use bags which can be clunky to empty and sometimes are disposable which lead to the extra cost of having to buy new bags.
One of the best features of stick vacuums is how much easier they are to maneuver, especially when it comes to more awkward or raised surfaces like stairs or couches. They are also better at getting in awkward crevices.
With a stick vacuum you do not have to worry about being held back by a cable or potentially getting stuck on surfaces and having to untangle yourself.
Generally speaking, if you are using a stick vacuum with a high-quality battery, you will have a much less limited and frustrated experience than you would have with a bagged traditional vacuum.
This is why companies like Dyson have made it, so they are now only making new bagless cordless stick vacuums as they seem to be what will soon become standard.
With this new technology becoming the standard, most people are welcoming this once rare technology being more accessible.
As previously mentioned, they make the process of vacuuming significantly more simple and painless.
However, with new technology starting to replace the older variety, it is understandable that people may have reservations or concerns about the new variety.
People have had many reservations and questions about some of the more obvious factors with the cordless stick vacuums like how long the battery life lasts, how long it will be until they need replacing, can batteries be replaced, and are there any issues with the charging.
How Do Stick Vacuums Store Dirt?
Most bagless stick vacuum cleaners come designed with a usually clear canister which is where the dirt will be stored once it has been sucked up.
The dirt will come up from the head of the vacuum cleaner, move through the wand, and then into the canister which is usually located just underneath the motor.
The size of these canisters can vary greatly depending on the size and weight of your vacuum, so this is sometimes a compromise you will have to make between lightweight and capacity.
Once your vacuum’s canister has reached its capacity you will have to empty the canister to be able to continue cleaning.
Before reaching the canister, depending on the type of vacuum you are using, the dirt may go through a filtration system which will separate the different sizes of particles to make emptying the device and keeping your atmosphere clean as simple as possible.
Most of these canisters are designed clear, while looking at the dirt inside your vacuum is not the most aesthetically pleasing, it does serve a function.
If you can see how much dirt is inside your vacuum it will encourage you to empty out the dirt once you have finished vacuuming.
It will also help you notice when your vacuum canister is getting close to filling while you are vacuuming. This will make vacuuming more efficient and let you plan how often you need to empty the canister.
How Much Dirt Can Stick Vacuums Hold?
Of course this relies on the different model of vacuum you are looking for.
There are more miniature stick vacuum cleaners which have a below average capacity, however there are more heavy-duty stick vacuum cleaners which will have an above average capacity to make it, so you have to empty it less often.
Excluding these obvious outliers, most stick vacuum cleaners have a dirt capacity between 0.1 and 0.5 gallons which means they should be able to do at least 1 or 2 cleans without emptying but of course this relies on the size of your living area and how much you need to clean up per session.
Once your dirt canister is beginning to reach capacity, depending on the model you are working with, you may experience a slightly worse performance, so it is best to empty it as soon as possible once this begins to happen.
While traditional vacuum cleaners tend to have a higher dirt capacity, and you will therefore have to empty them less often, they are still significantly less efficient and effective at cleaning.
So while you may save some time emptying the canister, this time will be made up for with how simple the cleaning process becomes.
How Do You Empty The Dirt Out Of A Stick Vacuum?
This stage, like the previous, will depend on the model you are working with, however, the process is usually quite simple.
The way to remove the dirt canister will usually be indicated somewhere on its surface with you either having to press a certain button to release it, or have to twist and unlock the device to get it to release.
When you are releasing and emptying these canisters, you want to make sure to do this as close to your trash can as possible.
This will save you from potentially spreading your dirt back around your house, and will also make sure you can easily tip out the dirt without accidentally inhaling any.
This dirt is full of pollutants and is incredibly harmful if you inhale too much so make sure to be careful when doing this process.
As you can see from this guide, instead of using a bag, stick vacuum cleaners use a canister which can easily be emptied once it is full.
For more specific instructions, we have a guide for emptying Dyson vacuums and Shark vacuums.