I consider my cordless Dyson V8 Animal stick vacuum one of my best purchases: I can whip around my apartment in just minutes. But it didn’t work when I pulled it out last weekend. The battery was definitely charged. The parts were put on properly (I’m a pro at this point).
When I examined the brush roll, I was met with hair, dust, and other gross things that certainly didn't come from my apartment. After several years of use, the brush roll was finally clogged.
I decided it was time to clean the entire vacuum. Follow along with what I did below, and use a few of the tricks I learned along the way:
What You Need
- Flathead screwdriver (or in my case...a key)
- Paintbrush
- Paper towels
- Scissors
The Brushroll
First, grab a flathead screwdriver to unlock the floor tool and remove the brush roll. I used a key because I couldn't find my tools right away. I'm impatient, what can I say? It worked, but I had to hack at it for a few minutes. You'll see the marks below. 
The brush roll easily came out once I unlocked the floor tool. It was a tough sight. Hair and other debris were wrapped so tightly around the brush roll that a pair of scissors were my best option. I easily cut off the debris, threw it away, and popped the brush roll back into place. 
It literally took 2 minutes. I decided to wipe down the brush roll with a damp towel as well.
Tip: Don’t add it back until it’s completely dry. Brush roll clean. What next?
The Filter
It’s easy to unscrew the filter from the top by twisting it. Dyson suggests rinsing your filter with cool water. Rinse it, ring it out, and then let it dry for up to 24 hours. 
The Bin
Now it's time to empty your bin. No bags make my Dyson, and most stick vacuums, super convenient to empty. Simply pop open the bin and let the debris fall into the trash. Easy enough. 
Tip: Empty the bin outside to avoid spreading dust and particles back into your space. You can also empty it directly into a trash bag and immediately close the bag to avoid the dust “poof”.
Now the bin is empty. It's time to clean it out. Press the same red lever down even more to remove the bin completely. Wipe it down with a paper towel or damp cloth. Use a paint brush to dust around the hard-to-reach areas. Soon enough, your bin will be as good as new.
The Cyclone
Grab a paintbrush (or the combination tool included with the Animal) to dust off the cyclone. The small bristles dig into the other small crevices around the cyclone.
That’s It!
You’re done! Finish with a quick review of the poles with your paper towels in hand. Wipe down anything else you may see. Then just attach the parts and filter (when it’s fully dry). Your vacuum will be good to go. Mine started working properly as soon as the brushroll was popped back into place. 
Why I Love My Dyson Animal V8 Stick Vacuum
I really can't say enough about my Dyson vacuum. Here are a few more reasons I consider my Dyson a friend (and why I think any stick vacuum is a good choice):
- Perfect for apartment living or cleaning certain areas like kitchens
- Easy to put back in the box and store in a closet
- It's light and cordless - so it's simple to zip around to different areas
- Works well on both hard floors and low pile rugs
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