What you need to know about vacuum cleaner filters

vacuum cleaner filters

What types of vacuum cleaner filters are there? What is each type of vacuum cleaner filter for? Is it necessary to change the filters of the vacuum cleaner? How to clean the filters of the vacuum cleaner ? What is a HEPA filter?

Since bagless vacuum cleaners began to be marketed, there are more and more types and shapes of filters in vacuum cleaners. However, the manufacturers do not give many explanations, and if they do, the truth is that they are not very good. But it can be easy: the different filters have the mission of ensuring that the air that passes through the device is perfectly clean and household dirt is isolated in a tank.

• What types of vacuum cleaner filters are there?
• Plastic cyclonic filters . They are normally cylindrical and with holes that are responsible for a first filtering of dirt. They stop hair, lint and large bodies from the vacuum to protect the subsequent filters . They don't usually break.
• Foam filters, or foam filters . They stop large dust particles. They exist in almost all types of vacuum, both bagless and bagged . There are various qualities depending on the size of the particles they stop or the thickness of the filter. They wear out over time ( it is recommended to change them a year at most to be effective ) and lose the ability to retain dirt.
• HEPA filters . English acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air . Basically, this filter is usually the one that collects the smallest dust particles, without quickly obstructing the airflow. This filter is important in bagless vacuum cleaners because mites, pollen and particles that cause allergies remain in it. This filter is the most fragile and the one that is subject to the greatest wear. If the use of the appliance is medium/high, it is advisable to change it every 6 months at most. Keep in mind that if this filter wears out (and YES, it does wear out) the particles it has to block return to the air in the home.
• Mesh filters . They protect the HEPA filter to prolong its duration. They are nylon tights that are placed in front or around. It's rare that it needs to be replaced unless it ends up in the trash by mistake.

• Can the vacuum cleaner filters be cleaned ?
• Foam, nylon or plastic filters do not present problems to clean with water and some NON-ABRASIVE soapy detergent , although, with time and cleaning, they lose effectiveness in their function.
• Cleaning HEPA filters is very different. Although many manufacturers recommend washing them with water, once wet they become caked and reduce the air flow rate . It is preferable to vacuum them with another vacuum cleaner or blow them with the help of a compressor.