How to clean a Dyson vacuum head – for cordless and upright models

Our Dyson vacuums take care of a lot of the mess we throw at it. So naturally, this dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate, and our vacuum cleaner heads are the first to suffer.

Although Dyson makes some of the best vacuum cleaners, they still demand maintenance like any other. If anything, after investing in a high-end appliance, it makes sense to keep it in its best condition.

I've recently had to take my entire Dyson vacuum apart and give it a deep clean, so I fortunately know the steps involved. I use the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, which shares similar vacuum heads to many of Dyson's best cordless vacuums like the V15 Detect and Gen5detect. I'd put this task off for a while, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it actually is.

Read on for how to clean your Dyson vacuum head, or learn how to clean your vacuum cleaner for the full work.

FluffyOptic cleaner head

The newer cordless Dysons, like the V15 Detect and Gen5detect, use a FluffyOptic cleaner head that lights up what's on the floor. For this reason, it's important to not get the electrical components wet.

Remove the FluffyOptic head from the wand/vacuum by pressing the red button to release it. Then, remove the brush roll using the release mechanism on the side (different heads do this differently; it may be a latch to pull up, or a thin slot to turn with a coin).

'Make sure to gently wash the soft roller with warm water and mild detergent. Avoid soaking it, and ensure it’s completely dry before reassembling,' confirms Andy Shu, founder of Zapfixers, as this is exactly what Dyson recommends.

Cleaning the brush roll is the straightforward part, it's getting into the underside of the vacuum head that's tricky. When I cleaned mine it was caked in makeup, so I wrapped rolls of tissue paper around the brushroll holder with enough force to wipe it loose. This method, along with using an old toothbrush for the more accessible areas, worked pretty well, but I imagine a drain snake (or any long brush).

Then, simply wipe down the exterior of the vacuum head with a dry cloth and reassemble it all once everything is completely dry.

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This set of cleaning brushes includes different sizes, ideal for getting into the tighter corners of a vacuum head.

Motorized Anti-Tangle heads

Cordless
Similarly to the FluffyOptic head, avoid getting water in the main component. Release the cleaner head using the red button, then remove the anti-tangle brush roll using the release mechanism on the side (for mine, this was a thin slot that I twisted open with a coin).

Then, the brush roll is easy to clean, just rinse gently under the tap and wipe away any debris, making sure to carefully avoid applying too much force on the anti-tangle combs.

The interior of the vacuum head has thin ridges that are a little tricky to clean between, but a soft brush will do the trick. This part contains the motorized components, so avoid using anything wet.

Corded
If yours is a corded, upright model, the anti-tangle head will come out differently. 'Open the bottom plate to access the brush bar,' advises Andy. If hair is wrapped around the brush roll, you can 'use scissors or a blade to cut away hair and debris,' as Lina DaSilva, founder at Toronto Shine Cleaning, explains.

Then, clean the brush roll gently under a tap and wipe away any debris. For any areas that are accessible within the vacuum cleaner head, avoid using anything damp. A dry, lint-free cloth or soft brush will remove any stuck-on dirt and grime.

For more access, you can take upright vacuum heads apart using a screwdriver, but be careful of removing what you can't reassemble. Check with your user manual's guidance.

Once you've given your Dyson vacuum head a clean, it's a good idea to check for blockages in the air pathways and suction channel as debris can easily get stuck. Then, consider cleaning your vacuum filter, as this should be done regularly to preserve the lifespan of your vacuum cleaner.