You know how much I love my Shark vacuum cleaner. And, given letters I have received from my readers, I know that thousands of you now love your Sharkies too. Your comments make me smile because I see that you all are feeling embarrassed or amazed when vacuuming: Where on earth did all of this dirt and debris come from? I can't believe what's been lurking in our carpets!

In all of the miles I've put on my Shark over the years, it's never failed once. I will say that, while the manufacturer boasts that the Shark never loses suction, I have learned that is predicated on regularly cleaning the canister, filters and rotating brush. It's right there in the owner's manual, which most people don't think to read until they have a problem. You need to clean your Shark monthly to maintain its efficiency. It's easy.

SIGNS YOUR SHARK NEEDS A BATH: You will know to clean your Shark if you experience loss of suction, dirt left behind, odd sounds (like the Shark is gasping for air) or an unpleasant odor. Here are ways to clean your Shark:

ROTATE THE BRUSH: First, unplug the vacuum. Lay it down on the floor so you can see the rotating brush. You may want to place a bag or towel underneath to catch the debris and dirt you're about to release. More than likely you will see strings, hair and other material wrapped around the brush. This is normal. You can use a pair of scissors to cut through whatever is wound around the brush. Then, pull or tug the brush until it releases and clean any remaining dirt off the brush.

CANISTER: Let's assume you empty the dirt collection canister on a regular basis. However, once a month you also need to deep clean it with soap and water. Open the canister from both ends (if your model has that feature). I do this in a sink filled with warm, soapy water. Use a long-handled bottle brush to get into all of the crevices. The canister has no electrical connections, so submersing it in water is not a problem. Once cleaned and rinsed, open both ends and set it outdoors to air dry.

FILTERS: Once the canister is removed, you will see a set of filters made of either foam or rubber and additional filters made of felt. Remove the filters carefully, taking note of their order so you can replace them properly. It's not difficult; just pay attention. If you don't clean these filters regularly, be prepared to have a dirty situation on your hands. I take all of them to the sink filled with warm water and Dawn liquid soap for a soapy thorough bath. Be especially careful to not damage the felt. Please note: The manufacturer does not recommend washing the felt filters. I wash them because I don't like dirty felt, but do this at your own risk. The filters may or may not look brand-new after cleaning. But don't worry. As long as they are not torn, broken or otherwise damaged, they'll be just fine. The filters must be completely dry before returning to the vacuum — otherwise, prepare for mildew and mold, which is the last thing you want growing inside a vacuum. You can set your filters outdoors to air dry. Use your common sense to determine when the parts are dry.

Once everything is clean and dry, reattach the filters and canister. Your Shark will be so happy that it will thank you by doing an even more exceptional cleaning job the next time you vacuum.

By the way, I have not experienced this yet, but the filters will eventually wear out. And when they do, you can easily replace them. Just make sure you purchase the correct filters for your particular model. Or you can go ahead and buy them now to have on hand for when the time comes.

My Shark model of choice remains the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright. It comes with a separate attachment for hardwood floors — awesome! — and contains a lift-away feature to easily vacuum stairs.

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Lisa Stevens