Everyone knows you can actually clean a K&N reusable intake filter, but a lot of people are probably doing it wrong. To set the record straight, K&N Filters just laid out the official, step-by-step process for correctly servicing their famous cotton intake filters, showing the specific techniques that restore performance without damaging the filter or buying a new one.

The Cleaning Process

The process starts with pulling the dirty filter from the intake. Next, you spray it down with K&N’s cotton air filter cleaner, letting it soak for about 10 minutes. The most important part of the wash is how you rinse it: using low-pressure water, you flush the filter from the clean side to the dirty side. This pushes all the trapped dirt and grime out, instead of driving it deeper into the cotton media. After the water runs clear, make sure that you shake the filter out and let it air dry naturally. K&N makes it clear that using compressed air or heat is a bad idea as it will damage the cotton media.

The Oiling Process: Squeeze And Spray 

Once the filter is completely bone-dry, it’s time for fresh oil. K&N shows two options: apply a bead of oil to the top of each pleat with the squeeze bottle, or spray it on from about three inches away with the aerosol can. After applying the oil, you let the filter sit for 20 minutes for the oil to wick and spread evenly. Any light spots are then touched up until the filter has that signature uniform red color. Properly re-oiling these intake filters is how they trap fine dust and protect the engine.

The Correct Process For Cleaning K&N Filters

After a final wipe of the frame to remove any excess, the filter is ready to go back in the truck. The official guide is a reminder that there’s a right way and a wrong way to do this job. By following the specific steps—especially the clean-to-dirty rinse and letting it air dry—owners can be confident that their K&N intake filters will keep flowing air and protect their engine, just as K&N designed them.