How to Clean a Wet Dry Vacuum Mop: Tank, Roller and Filter Steps

Here is how to clean a wet dry vacuum: run the dock’s self-clean cycle after every use, then empty and rinse the dirty water tank, its strainer and its filter and let them air dry, according to Vacuum Wars, an independent YouTube testing channel that buys the vacuums it reviews with its own money, and Just A Dad Approved, a YouTube reviewer who says he has bought almost 100 wet dry floor cleaners with his own money.

Self-cleaning has come a long way, Vacuum Wars said, and maintenance is minimal if you do those basics every time. Here is the full routine, plus the features that cut the work, with Amazon prices checked October 16, 2026.

How to clean a wet dry vacuum: models with the easiest upkeep

Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.

Step 1: Run the self-clean cycle

Put the machine on its dock and press the self-clean button. Most models use what is left in the clean tank to flush the roller and the internal tubing, Vacuum Wars explained. Leave enough clean water in the tank for this; several models will warn you if it is low. Just A Dad Approved found cycle length varies by brand, and some Tineco models extend the cycle when they sense extra dirt.

Step 2: Empty and rinse the dirty water tank

This is the step no machine does for you yet. Just A Dad Approved said none of the models he has bought have figured out a way to skip it, so take the dirty tank out after every self-clean, dump it, rinse it and let it air dry. Food particles left in the tank or its filter can turn a fresh-smelling machine sour quickly, he said. A mesh separator, like the one on the Roborock F25 Ultra, catches hair and crumbs so you can toss solids in the trash and pour the liquid down the drain.

Shape matters here. The French Glow found the Tineco S9 Artist Steam’s narrow dirty tank harder to scrub by hand than the Roborock F25 Ultra’s wider one, so he used a long brush. If you have hard water, he said, scrubbing out mineral film is easier in a wide tank.

Step 3: Clean the filter and strainer

Lift the filter out of the dirty tank, rinse it under the tap and let it air dry fully before reinstalling, Just A Dad Approved advises. Tineco’s listing for the Floor ONE i6 Stretch also tells owners to clean the filter and HEPA filter once a month. In his Tineco vs CrossWave test, both machines’ filters lifted out easily and needed only a quick rinse.

Step 4: Dry the roller

If your dock dries the roller with hot air, let it finish. Vacuum Wars called hot-air roller drying its favorite new feature because it keeps bacteria from building up on a damp roller. If your dock does not dry it, Just A Dad Approved recommends taking the roller off and air drying it, and he said docks below about $250 usually skip hot-air drying.

Step 5: Wipe the head and the dock

Wipe hair or grit off the scraper, the floorhead edges and the dock tray with a damp cloth. Just A Dad Approved found some rollers lift straight off and others need a latch, and a quick wipe of the roller cavity keeps the next self-clean effective.

How often to clean a wet dry vacuum

• After every use: self-clean, then empty and rinse the dirty tank.
• Weekly or as needed: rinse the filter and strainer and let them dry.
• Monthly: clean the filter and HEPA filter if your manual says so, as Tineco lists for the i6 Stretch.
• With hard water: watch for scale. Roborock lists a built-in anti-scale system on the F25 Ultra; Vacuum Wars said it protects the pipes for up to three years.

Using the right solution

Use the brand’s own floor solution or plain water, which Clean Freak & Germaphobe said both Tineco and BISSELL allow. On steam models, check whether solution is allowed in steam mode. The French Glow pointed out the Tineco S9 Artist Steam says no solution in steam mode, while the Roborock F25 Ultra keeps detergent in a separate tank and even self-cleans with it.

Features that make cleaning easier

If maintenance is your main worry, look for hot-air roller drying, a debris separator in the dirty tank, a wide tank opening and automatic solution dispensing. For the full ranking of models, see Best Wet Dry Vacuum Mop.

Video: Just A Dad Approved: “$20,000 of Wet Dry Vacuums Tested — Here Are the Winners”. Embedded with credit; the findings are the creator’s own.

Video: Vacuum Wars: “Roborock F25 Ultra Vacuum Mop Review – Our Final Verdict”. Embedded with credit; the findings are the creator’s own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean a wet dry vacuum?

Run the self-clean cycle on the dock, then empty and rinse the dirty tank, strainer and filter and let them air dry, according to Vacuum Wars and Just A Dad Approved.

How do I keep my wet dry vacuum from smelling?

Empty the dirty tank after every use, rinse the filter and dry the roller. Just A Dad Approved says food particles left in the tank cause odors.

Do I need to dry the roller?

If your dock does not dry it with hot air, take it off and air dry it, Just A Dad Approved recommends.

Can I use vinegar or other cleaners in a wet dry vacuum?

Follow your manual. Tineco and BISSELL tell owners to use their own solution or plain water, according to Clean Freak & Germaphobe.

Sources

• Amazon product listings for the products linked above, checked October 16, 2026
• Just A Dad Approved: “$20,000 of Wet Dry Vacuums Tested — Here Are the Winners”
• Vacuum Wars: “We Found the Best Hard Floor Cleaner of 2025 (But You Should Buy the Runner-Up)”
• Vacuum Wars: “Roborock F25 Ultra Vacuum Mop Review – Our Final Verdict”
• The French Glow: “Tineco S9 Artist Steam vs Roborock F25 ULTRA – Don’t Buy the Wrong One!”
• Just A Dad Approved: “Tineco ONE S5 vs Bissell Crosswave Hardwood Floor Wet / Dry Vacuum Comparison”
• Clean Freak & Germaphobe: “Bissell Crosswave vs Tineco Vacmop (Which is Best??)”

Related: Best Wet Dry Vacuum Mop | Tineco vs Bissell CrossWave | Roborock F25 Ultra Review | Wet Dry Vacuum vs Steam Mop