5 Minutes Method to Clean a Ridgid Shop Vac Filter [Video Guide]

The dust and debris on your vacuum’s filter can clog it and cause the vac to lose suction. You’ll need to clean it to continue working. This article explains how you can clean your Ridgid shop vacuum filter quickly.

Read: How to Clean Shark Lift-Away Vacuum and its Filters?

Step 1: Safety First

Turn off your machine and remove the power cable. Take your machine outside in a well-ventilated area and wear a face mask while handling the filter.

Step 2: Accessing the Filter

Most Ridgid shop vac filters are concealed behind the body. Latches lock the body on either side. To access the filter, unlatch the lid from the collection drum.

Step 3: Removing the Filter

The next step is to remove the filter. To do this, hold the filter tabs with thumbs on the protruding studs. Lift the tabs while pushing down on the center stud simultaneously. A slight pull will do the needful.

Step 4: Cleaning the Filter

Place your filter in a dust bag and take this bag in a bucket. Tap the filter on the inside of the bucket to dislodge debris. Don’t forget to check the filter for any damages.

Check your filter type. Do not use water on a dry filter. You can use a blower on medium settings to remove the dust.

For Wet Filter: Run the filter through a hose or spigot and reduce the water pressure to ensure that you don’t damage the filter. Air-dry the filter completely before inserting it back. Do not use a fan heater or hair dryer for drying.

Step 5: Reinstalling the Filter

Slide the filter over the filter cage to put the cleaned or a new filter back in the machine. Align the hole in the filter with the stud on the cage and push it down. Press down on edge to seat the gasket. Push the area near the stud to come out from the filter housing and lock it in its place.

Step 6: Reassembling the Vac

Once the filter is clean and reinstalled, you can complete the process by locking the top lid in its place. Place it in its designated place and latch it.