I’ve found a game-changing way to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere — and it’ll help feed your garden for free, too

As Ideal Home’s vacuum expert, I do a lot of vacuuming. Along with testing new releases and bestselling vacuum models, it’s also my job to solve potential problems and pitfalls customers might face when using this handy household appliance, from nailing the perfect vacuuming technique to emptying a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere.

Yes, while the best vacuum cleaners come in many shapes and forms, one problem I always have when testing stick vacuums is that they’re messy. Every time I try and empty the dust canister, a cloud of dust tends to hit me in the face - and, ultimately, it then winds its way back into my home. And considering vacuum cleaners spread dust anyway, this seems way too counter-intuitive for my liking.

Alongside this, I also live in a home with pets and a husband who struggles immensely with seasonal allergies, so maintaining good air quality is key. So, I made it my mission to find a way to empty a vacuum cleaner without spreading dust everywhere. An extra bonus? If you have a compost bin, you’ll also be able to use this hack to feed your garden for free, too.

How to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere

In order to find the best way to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere, I bought these Compostable Brown Bin Liners from Amazon and took my latest vacuum cleaner for a spin - in this case, the Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog.

As I live with a dog, I spend most of my time vacuuming pet hair and collecting all the dust and dander that comes with pets. So, it didn’t take long for the dust canister to fill up.

Next, I positioned the bag over the end of the dust canister and held it in place so there were no gaps for the dust to escape. I had also hoped to grab an elastic band to keep the bag secure during this stage, but sadly I didn’t have any at home when I tried this out for the first time. Since taking these photos, however, I have added an elastic band into the mix and can confirm it makes the process SO MUCH easier.

And with this firm hold on the bag and the vacuum, all I had to do was press the button to open up the flap and wait for the contents to plop out and into the bag. Then, I removed the bag from underneath the vacuum, twisting the paper around a few times so I could be sure no dust would escape. All in all, it worked wonders - but I wasn’t done yet.

I bought the compostable bags because I hoped that I would be able to dispose of the contents of my vacuum cleaner in a more eco-friendly way – and it turns out that we all can. Especially if you want to improve your garden ideas and feed your garden for free.

But while you can generally compost vacuum dust and debris, there are some exceptions, and there are some things you should never put in a compost bin.

Sophie Lane, Miele GB’s Product Training Manager, explains, ‘You can compost certain contents from your vacuum cleaner, but there are some important considerations. Dust, dirt, hair, and natural fibres (like cotton or wool) can be added to your compost heap. These materials decompose and enrich the compost. Avoid composting synthetic materials, plastic, metal, or any contents that may contain chemicals or synthetic fibers. These do not break down and can contaminate your compost.’

So, if you’ve recently used chemical carpet cleaners or have a new synthetic carpet that will still have loose fibres, it’s best not to compost your vacuum waste - but you can still use a paper bag to prevent unnecessary plastic waste. If you’ve just vacuumed hard flooring and know that you haven’t used any nasties recently, you can safely get away with it.

All in all, this vacuum cleaner emptying hack has changed the game for me. Before I tried this eco-friendly hack for the first time, I typically used two different methods to empty my vacuum cleaner. The first was simply hovering the canister over my kitchen bin so the contents could fall into the plastic bin liner below.

Although you could say that it worked effectively and left the vacuum ready for another round of cleaning, it also created a dust cloud that meant some of the dust and debris re-entered the air. And while I love the best air purifiers as much as the next guy (who really loves air purifiers), I don’t want to have to rely on this appliance to keep my home free from pet dander and pollen all the time. Not to mention the fact that I was filling up plastic bin liners faster than my eco-consciousness would like.

My second method – taking the vacuum outside to my general waste bin and dumping the contents straight into it – allowed me to forego the plastic bag problem, but it didn’t stop the fact that the wind would conveniently blow a gust of wind in my direction at the exact time I dumped the debris into it.

Since trying out this new method, however, I haven’t had any unwelcome incidents. My face has remained dust-free, my home’s air quality is better than ever (I’m actually testing the Shark NeverChange 5 Air Purifier at the moment, and can’t speak highly enough of it), and I feel like I’m upping my eco points in the process.

Other ways to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere

While I’ve found that the hack above is enough to prevent the mess of emptying a vacuum cleaner, I appreciate that it won’t suit all homes or all vacuum cleaners. Thankfully, there are other ways to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere.

1. Don’t overfill the dust bin

Technique is everything when it comes to vacuum cleaners. Not only do you need to know how to perfectly vacuum to get the most out of your model, but you also need to adhere to the requirements of the manufacturer - especially when it comes to dust bin capacity.

That’s why Sophie suggests keeping an eye on the dust bin levels if you want to ensure you can empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere. She says, ‘Bagless vacuum cleaners will have a MAX level on the dust container. If the vacuum becomes overfilled with dust and debris, it may become compacted and difficult to empty. Where possible, get into the habit of emptying the vacuum after every couple of uses. The dirt will fall out freely and easily with no mess.’

2. Prevent draughts

Although experts suggest opening your windows for at least 10 minutes every day - yes, even in winter - to improve air quality and maintain a healthy home, draughts are bad news where vacuums are concerned. And if you want to prevent a cloud of dust when you empty your vacuum, ensure all doors and windows are closed. If you’re using one of the best fans, you should also turn that off.

Sophie adds, ‘It’s also a good idea to hold the vacuum dustbin as close as possible to the bin to minimise the distance that the dust has to fall. This will absolutely reduce the chance of dust escaping.’

3. Choose a different vacuum cleaner

If air quality is an issue for you, it might be worth weighing up the bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaner debate. By opting for a bagged vacuum cleaner, you can rest assured that all of the dust and debris from your home isn’t just collected within a bag - it’s also contained in the bag. Then, all you need to do is throw the bag directly into the bin.

Just remember that, in most cases, you can’t reuse vacuum cleaner bags. So, you’ll need to have some spares to hand at all times. Alternatively, you could invest in an auto-emptying vacuum cleaner like the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty, which will empty itself into a larger dustbin that you then can empty at a later date. You still need to empty it eventually, but it limits regular exposure to this dust and debris.

Of course, knowing how to choose a vacuum cleaner can be difficult, so I suggest you take your time and do your research before parting with your cash.

FAQs

Why is my vacuum blowing dust everywhere?

The aim of any vacuum cleaner is to suck up the dust. So, if your vacuum is blowing dust everywhere, it’s a sure sign that your appliance isn’t working as it should and it could be suffering from one of these problems:

• The dust canister or bag is full and needs to be emptied.
• The filter is clogged and needs to be cleaned or replaced.
• The suction hose is clogged and needs to be unclogged.
• There’s damage to the main vacuum, such as a broken seal.

How to empty a vacuum cleaner?

Ultimately, this all depends on the type of vacuum cleaner you have. After all, most stick and upright vacuums tend to require a more hands-on approach, while you can empty bagged cylinder (and sometimes bagged stick) vacuums by removing the full dust bag and replacing it with a fresh one.

No matter how you empty your specific vacuum cleaner, though, the aim should be to keep as much of the vacuumed dust and debris away from your home. So, try to throw the contents directly into the bin and avoid a dust cloud.

Do you have any other hacks to empty a vacuum cleaner without getting dust everywhere? Let us know!