It's time to clean the filter when there’s less suction, the vacuum stops picking up all visible dirt and debris, or the airflow becomes restricted. Most of the time, the filter only needs to be tapped clean. However, if it’s particularly dirty, you can run water through it until the water runs clear.Do not use soap. Let the filter completely air-dry before you reinstall it in the vacuum. Do not use forced air or apply heat to dry the filter.