In American households, the Dirt Devil vacuum has become a ubiquitous cleaning tool. This simple but powerful appliance has proven itself time and time again, whether it's being used to remove dirt embedded in carpet or to cleanse the air of dirt, dust or allergens. Many Dirt Devil models even come with specialized accessories to clean furniture, special flooring, carpets and other surfaces that are difficult to target with a standard vacuum cleaner. No matter how you decide to use this household staple in your living space, it's sure to help you get the job done more efficiently.
At some point in your cleaning routine, though, you'll need to take apart your vacuum so that you can clean it thoroughly. Once your vacuum becomes clogged with dirt, dust and debris, its performance suffers significantly, which can force you to spend a longer time cleaning your home than necessary. Fortunately, disassembling and cleaning out your vacuum is easier than it may seem. Here are some simple guidelines on how to take apart a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner.
1. Remove the Power Brick or External Battery
Most Dirt Devil vacuums contain an external battery or power brick. Be sure to double check which type of component your appliance has before you proceed with this step.
Next, remove the battery charger plug from the charger socket. This socket is typically located on the side of most Dirt Devil models. Once you've removed the plug, look for the power brick or external battery. You will likely find the battery connected to the charger plug by a cable. Pull the power brick or battery out of its AC socket and set it off to the side for the time being.
2. Rotate the Dirt Devil Vacuum
Now, it's time to start preparing for the most crucial part of the process: how to take apart a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner. Before you rotate the vacuum, it's important to note that you should conduct this process in a part of your home that you don't mind dirtying. This stage of the process can get a little messy, so be prepared ahead of time.
As an extra precaution, spread an old sheet or a newspaper on the floor to contain some of the mess. Gently place the vacuum horizontally on the floor, making sure that the suction end is resting on the sheet or newspaper. Rotate the Dirt Devil until the handle attachment is facing up.
3. Turn the Locking Collar
Once you've rotated the Dirt Devil vacuum, look for the locking collar. The locking collar is located at the base of the handle on a typical Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner. Once you've found the locking collar, use your hands to rotate it counterclockwise.
In some cases, you may have some trouble turning the locking collar. This is normal, and it's nothing to worry about. All you need to do in this situation is apply a quick spritz of lubricating spray to the locking collar. This will help loosen it up and make it easier for you to turn it. After you begin rotating the collar, continue to turn it counterclockwise until it's no longer possible to rotate it.
4. Remove the Handle From the Locking Collar
Find the handle on your Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner and grip it firmly. Next, slowly begin to pull the handle away from the locking collar. Don't stop pulling it until you've completely removed the end of the handle from the hole in the vacuum's frame. If you're having trouble finding this hole, keep in mind that it's surrounded by the locking collar on most Dirt Devil models. After the end of the handle is free from the hole, you've successfully removed the handle from the locking collar.
5. Detach the Handle
Now that you've prepared properly, you can finally start detaching the handle of your Dirt Devil vacuum. This step is a vital part of learning how to take apart a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner and cleaning it thoroughly.
Begin by gently placing the handle of your vacuum on the floor. Turn the handle until you see the side of the Dirt Devil that has a screw showing. This side should be facing up before you continue. Next, use a reliable screwdriver to carefully remove the screw from the handle. Once you've removed the screw, place it aside so that you can re-insert it after you're done disassembling your vacuum.
Now that the screw is removed, you should notice two separate sections of your Dirt Devil handle. Use your hands to separate these two sections until the handle of your vacuum cleaner is completely detached.
6. Remove the Dirt Cup
The dirt cup of your Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner is the main focus of the cleaning process. Once you empty the dirt cup, your Dirt Devil will begin on a clean slate for future vacuum cleaning jobs.
Turn your Dirt Devil until the release button near the bottom of the vacuum is facing up. Use one hand to press down on the release button. While you do this, use your other hand to firmly grip the dirt cup. The dirt cup is located on the bottom of most Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner models. While maintaining a strong grip on the dirt cup, pull the cup away from the vacuum. After the cup has been fully detached from the vacuum cleaner, release your grip on the release button.
Next, take the dirt cup over to the trash can and empty all of its contents into the garbage. Make sure that the cup is completely empty before you move on to the next step. Now, pull the filter out of the dirt cup and place the cup off to the side for now.
7. Take Out the Screws
To locate the bristles on your Dirt Devil vacuum, rotate the appliance until the bottom of the vacuum is facing upward. You should now be able to clearly see the bristles on your Dirt Devil. Now, use the same screwdriver that you used in Step 5 to remove the screws from each end of the bristles.
In some cases, you might have trouble gaining access to the screw heads. If this happens, turn to the bristles on either side of your vacuum and carefully pull them away from your Dirt Devil's frame. You should now be able to easily reach the screw heads so that you can remove them from the vacuum. Once you've successfully taken all of the screws out, put them in a safe place for later use.
8. Remove the Metal Plate
While figuring out how to take apart a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner, you might notice that the bristles on your vacuum are covered by a metal plate. You'll need to remove this metal plate from the bristles in order to successfully disassemble your Dirt Devil. Once the metal plate is off, put it to the side for the time being.
You should now be able to see a new set of screws on each side of the vacuum cleaner's frame. Use your trusted screwdriver to remove these screws and place them in a safe spot so that you can easily access them later on.
9. Take Away the Bristle Assembly
Most Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner models come with a bristle assembly. When taking apart your vacuum, you'll need to completely remove the bristle assembly in order to focus on doing your job effectively.
Once you have the assembly out of the way, you can now begin to clean each individual part of your Dirt Devil vacuum. It's crucial not to skimp on this step when sanitizing your vacuum cleaner. Each component needs to be cleaned as thoroughly as possible to ensure that it functions at its best once you use your vacuum again. The more time you spend on this step, the fewer problems you'll run into once you put your vacuum back together again.
Once you've cleaned each part of your Dirt Devil to the best of your abilities, be sure to lay them out so that they have plenty of time to air-dry. You can now reassemble the Dirt Devil vacuum by following the same steps in reverse.
Learn How to Take Apart a Dirt Devil Vacuum Cleaner One Step at a Time
Disassembling your Dirt Devil may seem like a daunting task at first glance. However, by following this simple vacuum advice and practicing each step repeatedly, you'll get the hang of the process much more quickly than you might expect. When you're first starting out, it's important to take your time with each step and do a thorough job while cleaning the different parts of your vacuum. This will ensure that you get the results you want from the process.