How to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner Brush

We’ve all been there – hair, strings, and other debris getting tangled in your vacuum cleaner’s beater brush, turning it into a less efficient cleaning machine. The good news is that modern vacuum cleaner manufacturers have got your back. They’ve made it super easy to clean that trapped hair off the brush.

Today, I’m walking you through the process of removing hair from a Shark powerhead vacuum cleaner, but the principles apply to many other vacuum models too. It’s all about accessing the brush and cutting the hair at certain points.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve even lined up some videos showcasing how different vacuum cleaners tackle this issue. By the end of this guide, you’ll be a pro at keeping your vacuum cleaner’s roller brush hair-free and ready for action. Say goodbye to tangled brushes!

Tip

Hair getting trapped in the brush of your vacuum is a chore to deal with. If you want to lower the chances of hair getting trapped, then use a carpet rake like this one here (Amazon Link Ad) to comb the carpet of the hair and either pick it up or suck it up with the hose of the vacuum.

Video

Here is a video showing how it’s done…

Locate The Release Levers

Many vacuum cleaners will have a lever or screws to unscrew to release the brush. I know Dyson likes to use the large plastic screws that a coin can fit into. They will sometimes be on the bottom where you suck up debris on the vacuum cleaner. The Screws are usually yellow or gray and don’t need much force to remove.

On this shark vacuum, it was made easy; there are two levers to push on each side.

Remove Brush

When you have removed the parts that hold the brush into place it is time to extract the brush. On some older model vacuum cleaners and even some newer ones, you’ll have a belt that powers it. Some extra screws might need to be removed to set the belt free and thus set the brush free.

If your vacuum does have a belt-driven brush I find it easier to lift the side that doesn’t have the belt up first and then lift the side with the belt up. Once up you can easily remove the belt from the motor’s shaft and clean the brush. If the brush is looking worn out or missing bristles then it might be a good time to replace it. You can find vacuum cleaner beater brushes here (Amazon Link Ad).

Cut The Hair

Here is where many vacuum makers get smart. If you look at the picture below, you’ll see a slot on the roller brush. This slot is for cutting the hair-free. It’s usually deep enough to put scissors through, or you can use a knife. Just be careful when cutting and always cut away from yourself.

You will have 2 grooves or slots on the roller brush that you can use to cut the hair-free. It’s best to cut at both slots to make getting the hair off easier.

Other Vacuums

Here are some videos of other Vacuum Cleaners and how they get the hair free from the beater brush.

Author

LEE

Hello, I'm Lee from "ThemVacuums.com"! Launched in 2016, my site addresses the online information gap about "robot vacuums" and "vacuum cleaners," areas where I have hands-on experience. Got questions about a post or topic? Feel free to comment or contact me (contact)!

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