Vacuum cleaner HEPA filters

[Coldicote]

I treated myself to a new bagless vacuum cleaner (a well known make) with a so-called HEPA filter - one of those cylider shaped parts that fit inside with concertina-type folds all round it. The instructions say hold the filter over the dustbin and brush it clean. Has anyone found that this works or have any better ideas for cleaning the filter? I find it one of the most messy jobs imaginable and regret buying it. The dust gets deeply embedded into the folds and each fold needs to be scraped out separately. Is it just me or do others find the same problem?

[lafrancaise]

Hi coldicote
I have one the same and I've found by knocking it against a wall (I use a low wall in the garden) the dust falls away from it. I remove the hairs etc that are wrapped round it before this of course. OK the plastic gets a bit dented but it gets rid of the dust!

[Coldicote]

Thanks lafrancaise. You do rather confirm my thoughts that these things are not as wonderful as they are made out to be. Wish now that I had bought a vac. with a bag.

[tezestwing]

Hi Coldicote our cleaner came with a spare filter we put this in the cleaner then after we have emptied contents of the full bag into the bin we vacuum it clean then do same thing next time hth Tez

[lafrancaise]

Hi there again
The reason i got a vacuum without bags was because I got sick of the bags splitting and dust inside the cleaner. You can't win!!

[Coldicote]

Thank you both for your comments. Quite right, "You can't win". I just hope manufacturers sometimes pick up on these pages. If anyone knows of a good vac that doesn't have difficult-to-clean filters, or bags that don't split, I'd be glad of a recommendation. In the meantime I have a good excuse for not using mine any more than absolutely necessary!