How do you clean the filter(cloth) of a canavac 511. I know how to empty the bottom part of the canister

The first place the "dirty" air enters is the top chamber of the canister where it traps the bigger stuff.

The canister has two clean-out doors so make sure you open them both (top and bottom) or you could have problems.

Nice thing about the Shark as it has a number of clean-out points starting at the base of the hose where it enters the bottom of the vac. to the beater brush (on the bottom of just behind the brush assembly). Good luck!

1. Push down on carry handle and
pull dirt container away from unit.

2. Once it is pulled back lift it out.

3. Hold dirt container over trash can and push down on bottom
release lever to release debris.

4. Close bottom cover on the dirt
cup until it snaps shut.

While you have the dirt container out you can also clean the Lifetime HEPA filter. It is on the top of the dirt container.

1. Twist lid to the left to remove lid and filter from
container

2. Remove foam filter from dirt container and dump out
any loose dirt. Wash the foam filter.

3. Remove the HEPA filter by Twist filter handle to the left and
pull out of lid. Wash the Heap filter.

4. Once the filters are thoroughly dry (I recommend set out for 24 hours) then installer filters in lid and thread back on top of the dirt canister.

Before replacing the dirt canister you can also clean the exhaust filter install below the dirt canister on the top vacuum cleaner head.

1. Loosen the exhaust grille by pressing the locking tab, and
remove it.

2. Remove and shake out the exhaust filter and wash it.
Note: Scented filter are not washable.

3. Once the filters are thoroughly dry relace it and snap the
exhaust grill into place.

Replace the dirt container
NOTE: Dirt container will not
align on base if filter is not
aligned properly.

The upper half is where the filter is.
Here is the manual:
http://dirtdevil.com/file/172/

Page 7 shows after emptying the lower container, "Twist and lift to remove dirt container lid."

If the usual clog clearing and filter cleaning doesn;t work-> I love the Dyson (DC07), but after 7 or 8 years it lost suction and needed some attention beyond filter cleaning. After much online research I found the few bits of advice that for me were the holy grail. After all of the standard stuff, clear clogs, clean filters etc..... In this order: 1) Remove & empty the canister, ***important****-leave the canister bottom lid open. 2) remove the three star screws at the top of the canister. It'll take a bit of pressure to pull the top up, there's a rubber seal. When you pull it up there will be a rod running down into the canister, leave it be, just pull up the top high enough to clear out any debris. 3) Put the top back on aligning the screws, when you lower it make sure the bottom of the rod engages with the hole at the bottom center of the canister, this is why you left the bottom lid open. Put the three star screws back in. 4) Turn the canister upside down, lid open, and keeping in mind this is thin plastic, gently tug upwards on the four fins that surround the bottom rubber seal. This part is held in by friction, so work your way around the four fins gently pulling until you work the ring they're connected to free. This will give you access to the inside of the canister. 5) remove the round perforated section by tugging upwards on it, set it aside with the fin part. 6) Take the canister to a laundry tub or large sink and holding it bottom up fill it with hot/warm water. Grasping the center section shake it vigorously and turn it upside down while shaking and a bunch of sh*t will come out. Repeat several times. 7) Dry thoroughly, you might use a hairdryer held to the center tube, but only if you can switch off the heat and use air only. Make sure its 200% dry, water will kill your machine 8) clean and replace the round perforated section 9) replace the fin section, I'd suggest pulling the round rubber part off of the fin part and setting it in place on the canister first, then follow with the plastic fin part. If you don't do it this way the rubber won't seat properly and the bottom lid won't close. 10) Close the lid, replace the canister, and staaaaaart suckin like it's brand new.

empty the dust canister and clean out the bottom filter

There is a hinged bracket for this unit which has a 5" bolt through it. It comes from CanaVac who manufactures under label. If you cannot find this large U shaped bracket on the body or in the bucket, either return to COSTO or call Canavac and explain. A used bracket from an old Canavac will fit, nothing else will. If Costco is sold out you will not likely get one through a Hoover service center since they just don't break and it is a newer body style for Hoover made under private label.. A Canavac dealer might have one around
FYI if you got this unit at $200 off you got good value, if you paid full price and need to wait for a bracket, shop around for a different brand. While the unit and tools are good , the Hoover power head is the Achilles heal on this package. If you use it more than an hour a week , you will wear it out within 3-5 years as it is their light duty head.
If you have the bracket , hang the unit on a double stud if possible or 3/4 plywood braced across two studs. Leave 24-36 inches slack in your low voltage wire at the motor and coil around a pencil or long philips screwdriver, making it phone cord style... your wife and neighbors will think you are a pro......
Post back if you need more info.

Called Dyson today about the cyclone canister clogging in my DC17 Animal. Turns out it's a problem with the black rubber gasket in the bottom of the canister. This also causes the HEPA filter to get lots of dirt and debris on top of it. They are sending me a new Cyclone canister with the corrected gasket. This will prevent anything but small particles of dust from entering the top of the cyclone and the HEPA filter should no longer collect all that stuff. Hope so!

First of all Clean out the vacum cleaner . Empty canister and take filter outside and hit on something to get all dust out . Now wash canister and filter with vinegar water and let dry before using vacum again. You might try using carpet fresh for pet odors on carpet and empty and clean canister and filter regularly. I own a cleaning business and this is a hard problem to solve with all vac. cleaners. Good Luck!!

The Flange in question is about one inch tall and and approx 4 inches circular ..... When you pull the canister (container to empty) off and empty the contents in the trash .... some of us tap it to get the excess out or off the sides ..... That Flange is the rubber piece attached to the bottom of the darker gray cylinder inside the canister you are emptying. When you tap the canister or after dumping it numerous times that flange can work itself (slide) up the darker gray cylinder ...... it needs to be slid downward and overlap the bottom when you close the canister from dumping it. You can remove the flange and see the grooves .... replace it back on with it hanging off a little to allow for overlap. That should decrease the amount of excess being trapped in the filter. Hope this helps.

http://geeksquad.fixya.com/ThreadView.aspx?prdid=20820&thid=676660
How to empty?
Posted by jchale55 on Jun 16, 2008
I inherited this Filter Queen "Cheetah" (but it isn't black ... chrome) and don't know how to empty the thing.

Hello,
I would advise you to ALWAYS to FIRST UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM before beginning any service procedure. The Filter Queen uses a cone filter and there are 2 or 3 clamps to release to remove the cone and then you dump the dirt sitting in the bottom of the canister and then replace the new cone filter and repeat the process. If you have further question feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer. So if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area or in the yellow pages, or contact the factory phone number or website to further assist you with your questions.
http://www.filterqueen.com/
Customer Service 1-800-344-1840
[email protected]
Thanks, Don the Vac Man
Go Ahead. Use Us.