You know how much I love my Shark vacuum cleaner. And, given letters I have received from my readers, I know that thousands of you now love your Sharkies too. Your comments make me smile because I see that you all are feeling embarrassed or amazed when vacuuming: Where on earth did all of this dirt and debris come from? I can't believe what's been lurking in our carpets! In all of the miles I've put on my Shark over the years, it's never failed once. I will say that, while the manufacturer boasts that the Shark never loses suction, I have learned that is predicated on regularly cleaning the canister, filters and rotating brush. It's right there in the owner's manual, which most people don't think to read until they have a problem. You need to clean your Shark monthly to maintain its efficiency. SIGNS YOUR SHARK NEEDS A BATH: You will know to clean your Shark if you experience loss of suction, dirt left behind, odd sounds (like the Shark is gasping for air) or an unpleasant odor.

Here are ways to clean your Shark: ROTATE THE BRUSH: First, unplug the vacuum. Lay it down on the floor so you can see the rotating brush. You may want to place a bag or towel underneath to catch the debris and dirt you're about to release. More than likely you will see strings, hair and other material wrapped around the brush. You can use a pair of scissors to cut through whatever is wound around the brush. Then, pull or tug the brush until it releases and clean any remaining dirt off the brush. CANISTER: Let's assume you empty the dirt collection canister on a regular basis. However, once a month you also need to deep clean it with soap and water. Open the canister from both ends (if your model has that feature). I do this in a sink filled with warm, soapy water. Use a long-handled bottle brush to get into all of the crevices. The canister has no electrical connections, so submersing it in water is not a problem. Once cleaned and rinsed, open both ends and set it outdoors to air dry.

FILTERS: Once the canister is removed, you will see a set of filters made of either foam or rubber and additional filters made of felt. Remove the filters carefully, taking note of their order so you can replace them properly. If you don't clean these filters regularly, be prepared to have a dirty situation on your hands. I take all of them to the sink filled with warm water and Dawn liquid soap for a soapy thorough bath. vacuum cleaner simplicityBe especially careful to not damage the felt. daewoo electronics vacuum cleanerPlease note: The manufacturer does not recommend washing the felt filters. hoover vacuum cleaners service centerI wash them because I don't like dirty felt, but do this at your own risk.

The filters may or may not look brand-new after cleaning. As long as they are not torn, broken or otherwise damaged, they'll be just fine. The filters must be completely dry before returning to the vacuum — otherwise, prepare for mildew and mold, which is the last thing you want growing inside a vacuum. You can set your filters outdoors to air dry. Use your common sense to determine when the parts are dry. Once everything is clean and dry, reattach the filters and canister. Your Shark will be so happy that it will thank you by doing an even more exceptional cleaning job the next time you vacuum. By the way, I have not experienced this yet, but the filters will eventually wear out. And when they do, you can easily replace them. Just make sure you purchase the correct filters for your particular model. Or you can go ahead and buy them now to have on hand for when the time comes. My Shark model of choice remains the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright. It comes with a separate attachment for hardwood floors — awesome!

— and contains a lift-away feature to easily vacuum stairs. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at [email protected], or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. , a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. Upright & Canister Vacuums Dirt, dust, and pet hair beware! Our Shark® Upright & Canister vacuums are lightweight, maneuverable, and has No Loss of Suction capability to give you powerful, long-lasting cleaning capacity without the hassle and cost of replacing bags and filters. Plus, these vacuums are priced to blow the competition away! Shark® Rocket® Complete with DuoClean™ Technology Shark® Rocket® Complete TruePet® with DuoClean™ Technology Shark® Rocket® DeluxePro Upright Shark® Rotator® Powered Lift-Away® True Pet™ Shark® Rotator® Powered Lift-Away® Deluxe

Shark® Rotator® Powered Lift-Away® Canister Vacuum Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed™ Shark® Rotator® Professional Lift-Away® Shark® Rotator® Professional with XL Reach Shark® Rotator® Slim-Light Lift-Away® Vacuum Shark® Rocket® Professional Performance Plus Shark® Powered Lift-Away™ DLX Shark® Navigator® Powered Lift-Away™ Shark® Navigator® Lift-Away® Professional Special Edition Shark® Navigator® Lift-Away® Pro Shark® Lift-Around® Portable Vac Shark® Lift-Around® Portable Vac Lift-Away portable pod for easy above floor cleaning Premium design, including LED headlights and soft grip handles Highly rated for quality, features and value The Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away is a powerful never loses suction upright vacuum that features a unique detachable and portable canister that lifts away for effortless cleaning in and around the home. The extra large capacity dust cup and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology traps over 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum.

Enhanced swivel steering provides the ultimate control to get in and around obstacles, furniture, ultra-quiet technology allows for operation anywhere, anytime. The powerful motorized brush roll can be turned on or off, providing superior performance on both carpets and bare floors. Includes a premium pet power brush, dusting brush, crevice tool, canister caddy, straight suction nozzle and a wide upholstery tool. An extra long 30 ft. long power cord provides maximum range for cleaning large spaces quickly and easily. Features 3 vacuums in 1, powerful upright, lift-away pod for portable cleaning and a convenient canister vacuum Extra-large capacity dust cup and anti-allergen complete seal traps over 99.99% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum Enhanced swivel steering provides the ultimate control to get in and around obstacles, furniture Ultra quiet technology feature allows for operation anywhere, anytime Premium rotator power nozzle comes with headlights and a brush roll shutoff, providing superior performance on both carpets and bare floors