Most vacuum makers recommend changing the filter every 3 to 6 months. Change it sooner if you vacuum every day, have pets, or have someone in the house with allergies, and any time suction drops or the vacuum starts to smell. Washable filters need rinsing on the schedule in your manual (monthly is common), and they still wear out. Replace one once it stays discolored after washing or starts to fray.
Updated October 2026. This answer first ran in our FAQ. We've added the signs to look for, filter types and the filters we make.
Vacuum filters catch the fine dust that gets past the bag or bin, so it doesn't end up back in the air you breathe. They also keep debris away from the motor, which helps the vacuum last longer.
Your vacuum probably has more than one filter
Most newer vacuums use more than one filter, and they don't all wear out at the same rate. The pre-motor filter sits between the dirt and the motor. It's often foam or felt, and it's often washable. The post-motor or exhaust filter cleans the air on its way out of the vacuum. On vacuums that have a high-efficiency filter, it's usually this one. Many bagless vacuums also have a filter inside or under the dust cup. Your owner's manual shows where each one is.
Signs it's time to change the filter
- Suction is weaker even with an empty bin or a fresh bag.
- The vacuum smells dusty or musty while it runs.
- The filter is grey and caked, or it stays discolored after you wash it.
- The motor sounds strained, or the vacuum shuts itself off to protect the motor when airflow is blocked.
- The filter is torn, frayed or warped and no longer seals in its housing.
Washable or disposable
Disposable filters, including most pleated and high-efficiency filters, get replaced on the 3 to 6 month schedule. Don't wash a filter unless your manual says it's washable, because water can ruin pleated paper media.
Washable foam and felt filters get rinsed in cool water, squeezed out and left to dry completely, for at least 24 hours, before they go back in. A damp filter can grow mildew, and that's where a musty vacuum smell often starts. Replace a washable filter when rinsing no longer gets it clean or it starts to break apart.
How to change a vacuum filter
Unplug the vacuum and find the filter using your manual. Lift it out and tap loose dust into a trash bag, outdoors if you can. Put in the new or freshly dried filter the same way the old one came out, and check that it sits flat with no gaps around the edge. Don't run the vacuum with a filter missing, even for a minute, because the dust goes straight into the motor.
Vacuum filters we make
- Dirt Devil F3 filter, part 3-250435-001 (2-pack), for the M082500, M082505, M082550, SD40005 and the other models listed on the product page. More in Dirt Devil parts.
- Kenmore EF2 filter, parts 86880 and 40320. More in Kenmore parts.
- Bissell round washable filter, parts 2031183, 32064 and 32065. More in Bissell parts.
- Black & Decker Air Swivel pre-filter, part BDASV102. More in Black & Decker parts.
- Hoover C2401 and Royal RY4000 bag and filter, parts 2KE2105000 and 2KE2110000. More in Hoover parts.
- Eye-Vac Professional exhaust and pre-motor filters, parts EV-EF and EV-PMF. More in Eye-Vac parts.
- WORX WX030L filter and holder, part WA6077.
Every filter is an aftermarket part made by Think Crucial, designed and engineered in the USA. U.S. shipping is free, and orders placed by 2pm ET ship the same business day. The full range is in vacuum filters. If you know the part number on your old filter, you can also look it up in our part number index.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a pleated vacuum filter?
Only if your manual says it's washable. Many high-efficiency filters use pleated paper media that water damages. Those get replaced, not rinsed.
What happens if I never change my vacuum filter?
Airflow drops, so the vacuum picks up less. Dust gets blown back into the room, and the motor works harder and runs hotter, which shortens its life.
Do I need to change every filter at the same time?
No. Check each one when you check the others, and replace whichever is worn. Pre-motor filters usually get dirty fastest because they see the most dust.