Things That Should Never Be Vacuumed With a Conventional Vacuum Cleaner
You can clean up some unexpected things with a vacuum cleaner, and some people use it to clean just about everything. But there are things you should avoid vacuuming, especially if you have a conventional vacuum cleaner. Here are the ones you should pay attention to.
Do not remove liquid with a conventional vacuum cleaner
Fluid might seem like a no-brainer, but common sense isn’t always common sense, and it’s easy to forget that when there are so many vacuum cleaners not plugged into walls these days. Even if it is cordless, your standard vacuum cleaner can be seriously damaged by sucking up liquids. It can also get moldy inside your bag or container. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner made specifically for picking up spills, always wipe or wipe up the liquid before vacuuming.
Don’t Vacuum the Ashes of the Fireplace
While ash removal is often recommended as a great way to clean an appliance, there is an important caveat: you must use a dedicated ash cleaner. A typical household vacuum cleaner is not designed for ash, as explained by Brick and Ember Outfitters . Not only are the particles small enough to slip through your vacuum cleaner’s filter, but they can also hide hot embers that could damage your appliance or even start a fire. (This also applies to soil and coffee grounds, as they can be wetter than you think and lead to the liquid problems mentioned earlier.)
Do not vacuum sharp or pointed objects
According to Family Handyman, don’t vacuum glass, needles, or other sharp objects, as this can damage the vacuum cleaner. Even if you don’t use the old-school look with a bag inside ( which you should really consider using ), sharp objects can still cause internal damage and you should sweep them up instead. To make sure you’ve collected them all and reduce the urge to reach for the vacuum, try using a mop .
Don’t Vacuum Your Cosmetics
Family Handyman also advises against sucking up your makeup’s loose powder, lest it get caught in the engine and break your device or fly back into the air. These are too small particles to be properly absorbed in a vacuum. And vacuuming won’t do much to make-up stains, so it’s best to clean them with dish soap and cool water from the start.
If the mess is big enough to sweep it up, just sweep it up
If something is large enough to be swept up, such as scraps of paper or coins, always choose that. There are special vacuum cleaners made for messes like ash or liquid, but if you had one, you would know. Don’t risk your expensive appliance or your own safety to save a few seconds of effort.