Make Your Dyson V10/V11 Last for Years (DO NOT Washing the Filter)
VacRevive Workshop Policy — distilled from years of repairs and long-term testing on our own units.
TL;DR
1.Never wash the filter. Not once.
2.The rear HEPA element is paper-style media. When it gets wet then dries, pores tighten and airflow drops, which overheats and ages the motor.
3.Dry-clean only with a crevice tool (details below).
Keep airflow unrestricted, avoid Boost except briefly, and mind battery heat.
Why we never wash V10/V11 filters
The rear section of the V10/V11 combined filter uses paper-like HEPA media (microfibrous, pleated). Wetting that media:
1.Swells fibers → collapses pore structure while wet, then stiffens as it dries.
2.Reduces permeability (air can’t pass as freely), so the motor works “under load.”
3.Traps residual fine dust into a cemented layer that won’t release later.
Result: hotter motor, more pulsing, earlier failures. Washing the filter has no upside for longevity.
VacRevive policy: do not wash V10/V11 filters—ever.
The right way: dry-cleaning (quick & safe)
Do this every 1–2 weeks or whenever suction feels off.
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Tap-out Remove the filter, gently tap the housing to dislodge loose dust (bin open, outdoors if possible).
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Crevice-tool vacuum (the secret sauce)
Use a crevice tool to vacuum the filter’s exterior vents and foam ring.
Work slowly around the pleats to lift fine dust from the surface instead of driving it deeper.
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Cyclone & bin clean-up With the bin door open, tap the cyclone shroud to free packed fines. Empty before the MAX line to keep the cyclone breathing.
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Head & seals check
Clear hair from the brush bar and end-caps
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Inspect seals (filter seat, wand joints). Leaks tempt you to overuse Boost.
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- Liquid Damage is No,1 cause of Motor failure 1000s of customer come to us to fix their V10/ V11 motors, and 9 out 10 is due to they wash the filter and put in when it is not fully dryed and that is a instant death of their motors
Two-filter rotation (highly recommended)
Keep two genuine filters per machine. One stays on the vacuum; the other can air out after dry-cleaning. If a filter ever becomes musty or visibly saturated (e.g., someone ignored the “no liquids” rule), retire it—don’t try to “save” it with water.
Filter cost $10-15 , A motor cost $170. Do you own math.
You can buy high quality replacement V10/ V11 with below link
Don’t Boost through a clog
Boost/Max is for short bursts only. If suction is down, you likely have restriction (filter, cyclone, head, seals). Pushing Boost against poor airflow = heat + stress on motor and battery. Fix the restriction first; then, if needed, give a brief Boost.
Battery care that really extends life
1.Cool first, then charge. After long runs, let the unit sit a few minutes.
2.Store/charge in a cool, shaded spot (avoid hot garages/cars).
3.Run Eco/Med for 95% of jobs; Boost ages cells fastest.
Symptoms of stress (act early)
1.Pulsing/surging under trigger → airflow restriction (check filter, head, cyclone).
2.Hot handle smell → heat buildup from restricted flow.
3.Short run time → battery heat/age or constant Boost masking clogs.
Our workshop setup (copy this)
1.2× genuine filters per V10/V11 (rotate; never wash).
2.Dry-clean routine: tap-out + crevice-tool vacuum on filter, cyclone, and vents.
3.Head hygiene: de-hair brush bars; check end-caps and seals.
4.Eco/Med first, Boost briefly after airflow is confirmed clear.
FAQ
“But the internet says to wash monthly.”
VacRevive policy is longevity-first: do not wash. Wetting paper-style HEPA media degrades airflow and shortens motor life. Dry-cleaning maintains permeability and keeps temperatures down.
“My filter smells—what now?”
Odor usually means moisture or embedded fines. Replace the filter. Do not try to “reset” it with water.
“Can I clean builder’s dust?”
We don’t recommend it—ultrafine dust loads filters quickly and drives heat/pulsing. If it happens, expect to replace the filter sooner.
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Secondary: V11 HEPA paper filter, Dyson Boost overheating, Dyson filter dry clean crevice tool, V10 vacuum maintenance
Important note
This post reflects VacRevive’s workshop policy for longevity and departs from manufacturer maintenance advice. Using non-standard care methods can affect warranty; proceed according to your own risk tolerance.
