A vacuum cleaner is described which includes a removable filter element (28) and which further includes an indicator member (30) having a first position when the filter member (28) is removed from the cleaner and a second position when the filter member (28) is in place in the cleaner and being readily visible to a user of the vacuum cleaner in at least one of the first and second positions. In the vacuum cleaner described when the indicator member (30) is in the first position the vacuum cleaner cannot be used to collect dust and dirt.