A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a cyclone comprising a cyclone air outlet and positioned in the air flow passage downstream of the dirty air inlet. A suction motor is provided in the air flow passage downstream of the cyclone. A pre-motor filter is upstream of the suction motor and downstream of the cyclone. The pre-motor filter has an upstream side and a downstream side. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a bleed valve having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet is positioned between the suction motor and the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and facing the downstream side of the pre-motor filter.