How to Kill Mold on a Shop Vac Filter

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Things You'll Need

  • Hose

  • Water

  • Bleach

  • Bucket

  • Old toothbrush

  • Gloves, optional

A Shop Vac is a necessary appliance for many homes, workshops and businesses, as it can vacuum almost any substance in either wet or dry form. Cleaning the filter of a Shop Vac is a fairly easy task, and is necessary as dirt and residue can quickly build up in the filter. Mold can also develop on occasion, when the machine often vacuums wet substances that keep the filter moist for an extended period of time. The mold can be removed with the use of a few simple household ingredients.

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Step 1

Remove the filter from the Shop Vac, wearing gloves to prevent your skin from coming into contact with the mold.

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Step 2

Place outdoors, and hose off the filter with the garden hose. This will remove much of the loose mold and buildup.

Step 3

Pour a gallon of hot water into a bucket large enough to fit the filter, then pour in 1/2 cup of liquid bleach. The bleach will kill bacteria and mold quickly without harming the filter.

Step 4

Allow the filter to soak for 10 minutes in the bleach solution, then scrub with an old toothbrush to loosen any remaining mold.

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Step 5

Rinse the filter once more with the garden hose to remove any leftover mold or bleach.

Step 6

Place the filter in the sun or a dry location, and let the it air dry. This can take several hours, but is needed to prevent the mold from developing again.

Step 7

Insert the filter back into the Shop Vac once the filter has fully dried, and the Shop Vac is again ready for use.

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