Meile vacuum cleaners are high-end machines made with German engineering and exhaustive testing for quality control. The vacuums regularly earn the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval and win awards for design and performance.
When you spend hundreds of dollars on a vacuum, you expect it to last longer than a less expensive machine. If you clean and maintain it properly, it will. These vacuums can last 20 years or more with proper cleaning and maintenance.
How do you know when to clean it? Do you need special cleaning products or equipment?
We'll answer these questions below so you'll know how to clean Miele vacuum components and protect your investment.
How to Clean Miele Vacuum Cleaners
Miele sells bagged, bagless, stick, and robot vacuums.
How to clean Miele vacuum parts like the roller brush is the same process on bagged and bagless models. The notable difference between the manual vacuum types is how to clean the dust compartment and filters.
How to Clean Miele Vacuum Heads
Two parts of the vacuum cleaner head need regular cleaning to keep the vacuum working well: the roller and the brush.
Always unplug your Miele vacuum for safety before cleaning.
Cleaning the Roller Brush
To clean the brush, remove the vacuum hose from the head to make it easier. If your model has two plastic screws holding the casing in place, remove those screws to access the roller bar.
Carefully turn the roller brush with your fingers to remove any hair or debris wrapped around the bar.
Cleaning the Roller
Some floorheads have a roller you can remove by inserting a coin into the side and pressing in to release the bearing. You can remove the roller and clean any hair or debris before replacing it.
You can clean other vacuum heads and attachments the same way. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any dirt on the plastic housing.
Cleaning the Miele Bagged Vacuum
Miele bagged vacuums have bags and filters that need to be replaced to keep the machine clean and in proper working order.
The first and most important step in cleaning your bagged vacuum is to change the dust bag before it gets overfilled.
Most Miele vacuums let you know when you need to change the bag. A small indicator on the front of the canister turns orange or red, depending on the model.
Most people need to change the vacuum cleaner bag every two months.
How to Change a Miele Vacuum Cleaner Bag
Miele uses AirClean dust bags in its vacuums. This brand is one of the simplest to remove and install. When you open the dust compartment lid, the bag seals to keep the dirt inside.
Each bag comes with a built-in plastic clip that slides into the corresponding holder at the top of the dust compartment. Pull the ring at the top to remove the bag.
If the inside of the dust compartment is dirty, use a dry cloth to wipe it out. Never use a spray or damp cloth inside the machine.
Slide the plastic clip of the new dust bag into place and push it down until it clicks. That's it! Close the dust compartment door, and the bag is ready to use.
Miele Bagged Vacuum Filters
Miele bagged vacuums have two filters inside the dust compartment that need to be cleaned or changed as necessary.
Miele AirClean bags come with each filter in the package for convenience. Multi-packs of bags often have four of each filter.
The machine protection filter sits behind the dust bag. You should replace this filter with a new one every time you open a new package of bags or every fourth bag.
Remove the dust bag to see the plastic casing on top of the filter. Pull the loop to open the door and remove the filter.
The filter can appear gray and discolored after only a few uses, but this doesn't mean it needs to be replaced. If it's dirty, shake it off outside or over your garbage can and replace it on the regular schedule.
Miele vacuums also contain an exhaust filter that varies by model. Check your user manual to see which exhaust filter your vacuum uses.
AirClean
Pull the plastic loop on the filter door to open it. Remove the filter and replace it with a new one. Close the door, and the vacuum is ready to use.
Replace this filter each time you open a new package of dust bags or every four bags.
AirClean Plus 50
If your vacuum's exhaust filter is blue, this is the filter it uses. You only need to change this filter once a year.
Active AirClean 50 and HEPA AirClean 50
The Active AirClean 50 filters are black, and the HEPA filters are white. Both filters use a TimeStrip indicator light to let you know the filters need to be replaced.
When the light comes on, slide the exhaust filter out and slide a new one in its place. The average user needs to change this filter about once a year.
Cleaning Miele Bagless Vacuums
Miele bagless vacuums have a dust compartment instead of bags and a fine dust filter you'll need to clean.
The container has a MAX line you can see at a glance on the outside of the vacuum. Empty it before the dirt and debris reach that line.
Dust Container
Pull the handle on top of the container to remove it. Hold it over the garbage can and push the yellow button at the bottom to open it.
Every three or four months, remove the pre-filter and rinse it. Pull the handle on the back of the dust container to remove this filter.
If dirt or hair stick to the conical filter, run it under plain water to clean it. You can also rinse the dust container with water. Allow these parts to dry for 24 hours before replacing them.
The Fine Dust Filter
Remove the dust container to access the fine dust filter. The container is a tall cylinder with an opening that shows the pleated filter inside.
Your Miele vacuum will tell you when this filter needs cleaning. The Comfort Clean button on top of the vacuum will light up yellow when the filter is dirty. Turn the vacuum on, push the button, and the machine cleans the filter for you.
The cleaning process takes about 20 seconds. You'll hear the machine click as it cleans the filters. When it's finished, you can use the vacuum again.
When the Comfort Clean button lights up red, about once a year, you'll need to clean the filter with water. Pull the handle to turn the filter and unlock it.
Run water into the opening and swish the container to keep dust out of the air. Then turn the top to unlock it and remove the pleated filter. Rinse the container and filter with plain water. Never use soap or a brush.
Let the container and filter dry for at least 24 hours before replacing them.
Cleaning Miele Stick Vacuums
A Miele cordless stick vacuum like the TriFlex HX1 has a dust container and filter you need to clean regularly. You can learn to clean Miele vacuum cleaner parts like these in only a few minutes.
Turn the top of the dust container to unlock it and slide it off the stick. Hold it over the garbage can and turn the lid more to open the bottom and release the dirt.
Occasionally, turn the lid further to release it from the container. Pull the knob on top to remove the pleated filter and the center filter. Tap the edges inside a garbage can to shake off the dirt.
Never use water or tools to clean these filters.
You can vacuum the mesh filter housing if it's dirty. Replace the filters, the center filter first, and the dust container.
Cleaning Miele Robot Vacuums
Keep your robot vacuum in good working order by emptying the dust container after every use. Press the depression on top of the machine to open the lid. Pull the handle up to release the dust container. Press the release buttons to remove the dust box lid.
Empty the box into the garbage, replace the lid, and put the box back into the machine.
Occasionally, the filter inside the dust box needs cleaning. Fold the filter out and use the cleaning tool inside the dust box lid to loosen and remove dirt. Clip the filter back into position before replacing the lid.
Cleaning the Brushes
Use both hands to pull the side brushes off the machine. The cleaning tool inside the vacuum has a wiper on the bottom to help you clean the brushes.
Hold the wiper against the brush above a garbage can. Press the button at the top until all the debris has fallen out. You may need to push it several times.
When you replace the brushes, make sure to check for L and R to put them in the correct position. Push until you hear them click into place.
Check the bottom of your robot vacuum often so you can remove any hair around the roller brush. To clean the roller, remove the side brushes and unlatch the cover.
Remove the roller and clean away any hair or threads wrapped around it. You can use the wiper tool to remove loose hairs.
Cleaning the Wheel and Sensor
If hair keeps the wheel from rolling properly, unclip the cover to remove it and clean it.
The sensor sometimes gets dirty and interferes with the vacuum's operation. Occasionally, use a dry cloth or cotton swab to wipe the sensor beneath the robot vacuum.
How to Clean Miele Vacuum Cleaners
We've covered how to thoroughly clean all styles of Miele vacuum cleaners, from bagged models to their smart robot vacuums. As you can see, cleaning these machines is a quick and easy process.
Follow these cleaning tips to keep your vacuum working efficiently for years!