11-02-2018, 10:18 PM
Wow - you've done well to get this far without discovering that filter...
Our one clogged within a year of having it, but as you describe, it's washable (it's supposed to be done every 6 months). It takes a long time to dry completely, and it's best to resist the temptation to re-fit it too soon, else it'll clog quickly. I normally leave it at least 24 hours on a radiator or in the airing cupboard. In fact, I got so fed up with this that I bought a second one, and swap between them.
It's only fine dust that clogs it - such as plaster dust - as the heavier particles are caught by the cyclone bucket.
Our machine is pretty knackered now. A lot of plastic bits became brittle and snapped, and while I've replaced a fair few bits for it over the years, it has numerous small faults that I can't be bothered to fix - including not being able to fit the metal pipe back in the hose and use it in upright mode - but it's been a "shop vac" for many years. We now have the Miele machine that I sent the wife to the shops for originally (with the very clear instruction "don't, whatever you do, bring home a Dyson - just look at this "Which?" report if you don't believe me". However, the sales staff were very good at their job, and she came home with the DC-04 (and destroyed all the packing material before I got home from work so I couldn't easily take it back to the shop!). Ho hum...
But strangely, I've never had cause to look at the filter beneath the dust bucket. I've never even looked to see how you get it out - and no-doubt any plastic clips will be brittle now and snap as soon as I try. The top-side looks quite clean, and the machine sucks well (when the pre-motor filter is clear). I'll try to remember to take a look next time I use it...
Our one clogged within a year of having it, but as you describe, it's washable (it's supposed to be done every 6 months). It takes a long time to dry completely, and it's best to resist the temptation to re-fit it too soon, else it'll clog quickly. I normally leave it at least 24 hours on a radiator or in the airing cupboard. In fact, I got so fed up with this that I bought a second one, and swap between them.
It's only fine dust that clogs it - such as plaster dust - as the heavier particles are caught by the cyclone bucket.
Our machine is pretty knackered now. A lot of plastic bits became brittle and snapped, and while I've replaced a fair few bits for it over the years, it has numerous small faults that I can't be bothered to fix - including not being able to fit the metal pipe back in the hose and use it in upright mode - but it's been a "shop vac" for many years. We now have the Miele machine that I sent the wife to the shops for originally (with the very clear instruction "don't, whatever you do, bring home a Dyson - just look at this "Which?" report if you don't believe me". However, the sales staff were very good at their job, and she came home with the DC-04 (and destroyed all the packing material before I got home from work so I couldn't easily take it back to the shop!). Ho hum...
But strangely, I've never had cause to look at the filter beneath the dust bucket. I've never even looked to see how you get it out - and no-doubt any plastic clips will be brittle now and snap as soon as I try. The top-side looks quite clean, and the machine sucks well (when the pre-motor filter is clear). I'll try to remember to take a look next time I use it...
