Primary Filters

Primary filters are located before the motor, inside the vacuum's casing. A bag can be a primary filter; bagged units can also have an additional primary cartridge filter in the vacuum housing. In cyclonic or bagless units, most primary filters are found either in or along the side dust collection chamber. The purpose of the primary filter is to protect the motor from dust and debris that might possibly escape the vacuum bag or dust cup and return to the air.

Post-Motor Filters

Post-motor filters are located after the motor and serve as the final barrier between the user and the vacuum's exhaust. Depending on the vacuum's design, this may be the only filter on the unit, or the last in a series of filtration stages. What started out years ago as a simple foam or carbon-on-foam filter has evolved today in some vacuum cleaners as an ultra high efficiency filter made from technologically advanced CleanStream™ media.

Which Filter Material Works Best