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I’ve talked a lot about my Shark Duoclean on this blog because I love it so much.
It’s excellent at picking up dog hair. Plus, being cordless, it is really handy when I spot some hair or dirt. My dog, Xena, is dropping a huge amount of hair at the moment.
The one downside is that it needs more maintenance than my corded Miele Cat and Dog vacuum. Hair can quickly get caught up in it.
When that happens, the suction suffers, and it starts making a different noise than normal. Which means the motor is working much harder than it should.
Another big clue that something isn’t right is when the front light changes to red or starts flashing. This means that debris is stuck inside or that the front cover has come loose.
I want my Shark to last a very long time, so when I think something isn’t right, it’s time to give it a bit of TLC.
In this article, I will share my tips on how to properly clean the vacuum brush, ensuring optimal performance and longevity for your Shark vacuum.
Another thing you can do to improve suction is check and clean the filter. If, after cleaning the brush, your vacuum still isn’t picking up very well; then it’s probably the filter that needs attention. That’s easy to clean too, so do make sure to read to the end of this article to find out.
On the Shark Duoclean, there are actually two brushes, the one at the front is designed for sweeping up the small dust particles, and the rear brush deals with the bigger stuff.
If you’re unsure where to start or how to go about cleaning the vacuum brush, I’m here to walk you through the process.
So let’s dive right in!
How to clean your Shark Duoclean brushes
Regular maintenance, particularly focusing on the brush component, is key to keeping your Shark vacuum in tip-top shape. It’s actually very easy to do!
Step 1 - Remove the head from the stick
First, remove the head from the stick. Press the lever (on mine its pink) at the top of the brush head and pull it gently away.
Step 2 - Remove the front cover
Now, remove the front cover. Locate the small tabs on either side and use your fingers to press them down, and the front cover should lift away easily.
Step 3 - Lever Off the brush roll
For the next step, you’ll need to lever off the brush roll. To do this, find the release button on the side and press it while gently pulling the brush roll out of its housing. You should see a ‘Lift off’ tab.
While the roller is out, I like to give it a quick clean with my other vacuum cleaner.
Step 4 - Make sure the wheels move freely
After removing the brush roll, check the wheels to ensure they’re moving freely. This is essential for smooth performance. If they are really clogged up, you may be able to prise them out and clean them separately, but be careful!
Step 5 - Cut off the hairs from the brushes
Unfortunately, the rear brush roll cannot be removed.
You need to remove the hair that gets wrapped around it while in place.
On the plus side, there is a ridge on it that you can push your scissors along. Then you can pull the hair out more easily.
Step 6 - Remove Hair From The Comb
Next, remove any hair from the comb.
If you have a pet, then there will be loads of hair caught up in the front comb. As you can see in the picture, I have loads!
All you need to do is pull it off. Once that’s done, the front brush roll will move much more easily.
Step 7 - Reassemble
Finally, reassemble the vacuum head. Make sure the front brush roll is back in place and replace the front plastic cover.
Make sure all components are in place before using the vacuum again. If anything isn’t back in its proper position, the front lights will flash.
How often should you clean your Shark Duoclean?
I usually clean the brush head every month because I use it almost daily.
However, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
If the vacuum makes a different noise than normal, or it doesn’t pick up very well, that’s a sign it’s time for a clean.
Cleaning the brush regularly not only maintains the vacuum’s efficiency but also extends its lifespan. To keep track of cleaning frequency, I simply mark it on my calendar or set a monthly reminder on my phone.
How to clean the filter on your Shark Duoclean
When you have a clogged filter, you will find that your vacuum doesn’t pick up so well, and if you have a dog, it may also be a bit smelly. I wrote a whole post about that here - how to get pet smell out of your vacuum.
Here’s how to clean the filter:
- Empty the dust cup – This is the container that collects all the dirt and debris. Press the release button, and empty it into the trash.
- Take out the filter – Remove the top cover. Inside, you should find a foam filter, and inside that is the HEPA filter. This is the bit that removes the tiniest of dust particles from the air as you vacuum. Both these parts can be washed or replaced.
- Clean the filter – Give the foam filter and the HEPA filter a good wash under running water. Rinse it several times to get rid of any dirt and dust. Take your time doing this because a clean filter will drastically improve the suction and efficiency of your vacuum.
- Dry the filter – It’s essential to let the filter dry completely before placing it back into the vacuum. I recommend air-drying it for at least 24 hours.
- Clean and dry the rear filter. There is another filter at the rear that is easy to miss. Remove the cover, and you should find a small filter that you can remove and wash too.
If you find you need to clean the filter a lot, I recommend getting a couple of extra filter sets. So when the time comes to clean, simply switch them out.
So now you have a smooth-running vacuum. You should see a big difference in the suction, and it will sound a lot better too. Happy vacuuming!
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