Best Shop-Vac Wet Dry Vacuums for Domestic and Professional Use in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 21, 2024
A vacuum cleaner is a common home appliance that can be found in any household or apartment. Yet, not all vacuums remove different types of mess equally well. Unless you come across shop vacs designed to effectively combat all kinds of dirt, dust, liquids, spills, and debris both indoors and even outdoors. Our review on 5 top-rated shop vacs will guide you through an extensive range of models to help you find your best home cleaning assistant. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
CAPACITY
FLEXIBILITY
USABILITY
PERFORMANCE
WARRANTY
 
PROS

A super powerful electric motor will provide maximum high suction force, consistently efficient performance, and flawless operation. This model will easily withstand even extensive use under harsh conditions.

CONS

The suction hose is a bit short. 

OUR VERDICT

A professional wet-dry vac from a renowned Shop-Vac brand boasts a clever combo of power and portable design that makes it suitable both for domestic use and for cleaning construction debris and garbage in workshops, basements, and attics and for other commercial-grade applications. Besides, it offers rather compact dimensions and a number of functional solutions for a compact storage.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

5 gallons 

FLEXIBILITY

1.2-m Lock-On® hose, 6-m power cord, 7.23 kg weight

USABILITY

Cartridge filter, Claw nozzle, Crevice tool, Top carry handle, Rear blower port, Onboard accessory storage, Onboard cord wrap

PERFORMANCE

5.5 Peak HP, 235 Peak Air Watts, 140 CFM Airflow, 50-inch sealed pressure

WARRANTY

5 years 

PROS

Thanks to a truly high capacity of the garbage tank, you can clean large areas or accomplish a number of cleaning tasks without the need to stop and discard the container.  

CONS

The unit is pretty heavy. 

OUR VERDICT

This model belongs to the Shop-Vac contractor series specifically designed for heavy-duty commercial applications and efficiently managing all kinds of wastes, be it fine powder dust, debris, or any kind of spills. The package comes complete with a variety of nozzles and attachments intended for different cleaning tasks both indoors and outdoors. 

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

12 gallons 

FLEXIBILITY

3.6-m Lock-On® hose, 5.5-m power cord, 11.3 kg weight

USABILITY

Ultra Web cartridge filter, Blower feature, Onboard accessory storage, 2 extension wands, 14-inch floor nozzle, 16-inch crevice tool, Claw utility nozzle included

PERFORMANCE

5.0 Peak HP, 340 Peak Air Watts, 190 CFM Airflow, 59-inch sealed pressure

WARRANTY

1 year 

PROS

A special car kit included in the set will save you the need to purchase a separate car vacuum cleaner. Besides, the Pull and Push system will help you open and close the garbage container quickly and easily.

CONS

Waste tank capacity is relatively low. 

OUR VERDICT

Packed with a full kit of accessories, the Karcher WD3P will become your best cleaning assistant for quick in-house cleanups and more serious cleaning jobs in the backyard or garden. The unit is distinguished by a high suction power, blower option, onboard accessory storage, and an ergonomic carrying handle. Whether you need to remove dry waste or liquids, it will come to help.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

4.5 gallons 

FLEXIBILITY

2-m suction hose, 4-m power cord, 5.8 kg weight

USABILITY

Wet and dry floor nozzle and clips with 2 rubber and 2 brush inserts, Cartridge filter, Crevice nozzle, 6 paper filter bags, Car kit (2 brushes, 1 flat suction nozzle, 2  cleaning cloths, 1 extension hose), Blower function, Onboard accessory storage, "Pull & Push" locking system, Socket for working with power tools

PERFORMANCE

200 Air Watts 

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

A shop vac from Bosch comes complete with a universal adapter to connect a whole range of other Bosch power tools for efficient dust extraction. Besides, a long suction hose boasts an anti-static option that minimizes fine dust and small debris build-up.  

CONS

The model is compatible only with branded paper bags. 

OUR VERDICT

The Bosch AdvancedVac 20 is a pretty compact yet capacious and highly functional wet-dry vac that will help you quickly and efficiently remove almost any kinds of dirt, suck up liquids, and clean up small construction waste as well as eliminate dust while working with electric tools on a variety of woodwork, metalwork, grinding, and sanding projects.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

5.3 gallons 

FLEXIBILITY

2.2-m hose, 4-m power cord, 7.6 kg weight

USABILITY

2 extension poles, Crevice nozzle, Floor nozzle, Paper bag, Cartridge filter, Removable handle, Antistatic hose system, Blowing function, Automatic remote switch-on facility, Universal adapter included

PERFORMANCE

300 Air Watts 

WARRANTY

2 years 

PROS

Unlike many other shop vacs, this model is fitted with a HEPA filter meant for efficient exhaust air clean-up from ultra-fine dust particles and debris picked up by the vac. Thus, you can be sure that the air in your room will be free from germs and allergens. 

CONS

A top carrying handle might seem somewhat flimsy. 

OUR VERDICT

Featuring a durable and shock-proof stainless steel body, the VonHaus wet-dry vacuum cleaner is suitable both for inhouse and outdoor clean-ups under any conditions. Paired with a rather large tank capacity, such solid and sturdy design makes the unit fit for use even on construction sites and for other heavy-duty applications. Despite its pretty bulky dimensions, the vac is very manoeuvrable due to the big transport wheels.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

7.9 gallons 

FLEXIBILITY

1.5-m hose, 6-m power cord, 7.96 kg weight

USABILITY

Floor brush, Crevice tool, 2 plastic extension tubes, Blowing function, HEPA and sponge filter included

PERFORMANCE

160 Air Watts

WARRANTY

2 years 

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Shop-Vac 5872410

A Perfect Balance of Power and Portability

Powerful tools and appliances often appear pretty heavy and bulky. Hence, in many cases, you might have to make a pretty challenging choice between a compact design and powerful performance. Yet, when it comes to a vacuum cleaner, the unit power and portability are the key selling points for most customers, especially for those who own big homesteads. Since even a two-storey house with a small garden or backyard entails a great number of indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs, all homeowners look for the unit they can easily carry around the house and delivering enough power to accomplish various kinds of cleaning tasks. This is exactly what you will get with the Shop-Vac 5872410 wet-dry vacuum that offers a perfect balance of truly powerful performance and portable design.

The model belongs to a contractor series which means its performance is high enough for commercial-grade applications. The unit features a forceful 5.5 HP electric motor yielding the air power of 235 air watts, the airflow of 140 CFM, and the sealed pressure of 50 inches, all together ensuring a strong suction power to efficiently pick up not only dry garbage and powder dust but also wet dirt, water, and even dense, oily, and sticky liquids. A prolonged narrow crevice tool and a claw nozzle will help you suck up dust flocks and waste in tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas, and clean upholstery, carpets, stairs, mouldings, and car seats. Meanwhile, thanks to a rear blower port, you can use the unit as a fully functional blower to clean a porch and garden paths from leaves, sand, or grass clippings or blow out dirt from distant corners and tricky places.

As powerful as it is, the model comes packed in a really compact design. Thanks to an all-plastic construction and average size garbage tank, the vacuum cleaner is pretty lightweight and really portable. With a convenient top handle, you will easily lift it and carry around. Though a 5-gallon tank capacity is not high, it is sufficient to perform a variety of cleaning tasks before you will need to discard the waste.

If power, portability, and functional efficiency are your major goals when choosing a vacuum cleaner for your domestic or light-duty commercial needs, the Shop-Vac 5872410 is the right option to go for.

Review of Shop-Vac 5872410 Portable Contractor Right Stuff Wet/Dry Vacuum

Easy to Use and Easy to Store

The Shop-Vac 5872410 is a pretty simple unit that requires minimum assembly. Just install a filter, mount the motor unit onto the garbage tank, attach the hose and off you go. The hose snuggly fits into the suction and blower ports ensuring secure and airtight connection while all accessories perfectly match the hose. In contrast to bigger and higher capacity shop vacs, this cleaner is very convenient to store. Owing to a non-wheel construction, oblong design, onboard accessory storage, and a cord wrap, the unit won’t take much space in your closet, garage, tool shed, or even under the stairs.

Shop-Vac 5872410 Portable Contractor Right Stuff Wet/Dry Vacuum in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0041T4U4S

 

Shop-Vac 9625110

A Reliable Workhorse for All Kinds of Applications

Shop-Vac is a globally renowned brand incorporating a whole range of wet-dry vacuum cleaners divided into several series depending on the intended use and scope of application. The Shop-Vac Industrial and Contractor series includes powerful units of high and average capacity specifically designed for professional, industrial, and commercial use. They perfectly perform even in tough conditions and will easily suck up debris that would kill other vacuum cleaners. Yet, many of these models are suitable for domestic use as well and will come in handy for applications where you need the flawless operation, reliability, and heavy-duty power. The Shop-Vac 9625110 is one of such contractor models that can be applied for all kinds of clean-ups. See for yourself.

Buying a home vac, most people would think about cleaning carpets and sucking up dust but this model will be able to do much more. With a motor distinguished by 5.0 HP, 340 Air Watts, 190 CFM, and 59-inch sealed pressure, the Shop-Vac 9625110 will easily pick up both large and small debris such as pet hair and litter, sawdust and laundry detergents, flower pot ground and gravel, wood or metal chips and used hardware like nails, bolts, clamps, and screws as well as efficiently remove spills be it milk or juice, oil or paint. This unit will take the strain off out of those daunting clean-ups where you’d normally need several cleaning tools and have to spend hours to tackle the mess. Kitchen or basement floods and sink clogs, workshop wastes and construction garbage after your home refurb or renovation projects, garden puddles or muddy sidewalks will be a breeze to clean with the Shop-Vac contractor wet-dry vac.

To further facilitate your work and add maximum convenience to tough cleaning tasks, the unit set includes various attachment accessories; 2 extension wands, a crevice tool, wide floor nozzle, and smaller curved claw nozzle will help you remove dust at heights, behind, in between, and below the furniture, in hard-to-reach areas, clean upholstery, stairs, window sills, fans, shelves, mouldings, and ceiling panels. With the Shop-Vac 9625110, you can take away your broom, mop, buckets, and brushes.

Whatever type of mess you need to manage, this vacuum cleaner will always deliver efficient cleaning results and let you do it maximum fast.

Review of Shop-Vac 9625110 Wet Dry Vac

An Optimal Cleaning Solution for Large Areas

Along with functional versatility and highly efficient performance, this model offers one more benefit that cannot be left unnoticed. It comes fitted with a number of options that makes it a real find for cleaning large areas. First of all, it’s a 12-gallon garbage tank paired with a cartridge filter that will allow you to pick up large amounts of different kinds of waste and debris without the need to stop for changing filters and discarding the waste. Next, it’s a 5.5-m power cord in a combo with a 3.6-m hose and extension wands that will let you tidy up large areas such as attics, basements, terraces, patios, big halls, and long corridors without the need to use an extension cord. Finally, 4 sturdy caster wheels will add mobility saving you the need to carry the unit and an onboard accessory basket is a great feature for having all attachments at hand when necessary.

Shop-Vac 9625110 Wet Dry Vac in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0041T4TYY

 

Kärcher WD3P

Lightweight yet Functional Cleaning Assistant

In Karcher, they know everything about cleaning. It is one of the most recognizable brands among cleaning services and in the industry of smart and efficient cleaning technologies. The company started its way to the global success from a pioneering invention of the first hot water high-pressure cleaner in 1950 and today Karcher produces the whole range of wet and dry vacuum cleaners, sweeper vacuums, scrubber driers, vehicle washing bays, steam cleaners, cleaning agents and even drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. You can come across one of the Karcher machines in a branded bright yellow design on car service stations, in offices, big shopping malls and small private shops, in schools, hospitals, entertainment and sport centres, hotels, SPAs, and other public areas, to say nothing of big workshops, laboratories, and production areas. Yet, it doesn’t mean that Karcher cleaning machines are designed only for commercial, industrial, and professional applications. The manufacturer also offers a whole variety of domestic appliances like the WD3P compact shop vac created to help you out with numerous indoor and outdoor cleaning tasks you have to tackle around your house on a regular basis.

The very first thing you will like about this model is a compact, lightweight, and portable design. Made of durable plastic, the unit weighs only 5.8 kg being one of the lightest appliances in its class. Hence, you can easily carry the vac from one place to another using a handle on the top or easily move it on any surface, thanks to 4 pairs of sturdy caster wheels. Despite its mobility and compactness, the WD3P features a 4.5-gallon garbage tank which is an average capacity not only for domestic cleaners but also for those meant for commercial applications as well. It is enough to accomplish a spring cleaning or tidy up a large area without the need to stop and remove the waste from the tank.

Though pretty small, the WD3P boasts the utmost functionality. Fitted with a wet and dry technology and packed with a 1000-watt motor, the unit generates an ultra-high suction power and can pick up dry debris and dust as well as larger objects and liquids. Moreover, a special cartridge filter will save you the need to change the filter between wet and dry cleaning tasks. In addition to a powerful suction function, the vac also has a forceful blower option that will let you blow off dust from corners, crevices, radiators, fridge and fan grills. On top of that, the vacuum cleaner comes complete with a comprehensive set of nozzles and attachments to manage all kinds of cleaning tasks and even allows connecting the suction hose to different power tools to remove dust and dirt during sawing, grinding, or planning.

Offering functional versatility paired with a compact and easily transportable design, the Karcher wet and dry vacuum will become your best cleaning assistant for quick in-house cleanups and more serious cleaning jobs in the backyard or garden.

Review of Kärcher WD3P Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Doubles as a Car Vac

While many people have to buy car vacuums to keep their vehicles interiors neat and tidy, with the Karcher WD3P, you already have it. This vacuum cleaner set includes a special car kit consisting of 2 brushes, 1 flat suction nozzle, 2 cleaning cloths, and an extension hose. So, you’ll be able to clean car seats and carpets, suck up debris and waste back in the trunks and from under the seats, reach out to all tricky areas, and even polish the dashboard.

Kärcher WD3P Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B077NQJ2GY

 

Bosch 06033D1270

Your Best All-purpose Helper

Bosch is a manufacturer with impeccable reputation. Always striving for innovations and efficient technical solutions, the company offers perfect technologies for home and industry. Bosch products, be it garden equipment, heating systems, home appliances or power tools, need no advertisement, and the AdvancedVac wet and dry vacuum cleaner is not an exception. Similar to other Bosch tools and appliances, it stands out for high-quality build, durability, flawless operation, and excellent functionality going far beyond that of an ordinary domestic vacuum cleaner.

While most domestic vacuums, including handheld, stick, canister and even robotic vacs, are meant only for dry cleaning of carpets, upholstery, and floors, Bosch shop vac will help you accomplish much more cleaning tasks around the house and even outdoors. Its 300-air watt motor produces truly strong suction that will let you pick up not only dust, pet hair, and other dry fine debris but also larger garbage like construction waste, some used metal hardware, wooden chips, sand, grounds, food remnants, gravel and remove liquids where conventional home vacs will definitely fail. Muddy terraces, sidewalk paddles, laundry spills, kitchen wastes, pet litter, dirty footprints in the hall, and sawdust, Bosch will brilliantly tackle all this and more. A powerful blowing function will let you use the unit for unclogging sinks, removing fallen leaves from the lawn in your yard, cleaning pathways from grass clippings, dislodging dust from hard-to-reach crevices and corners, and even blow inflatable toys and mattresses. On top of that, this model comes complete with a universal adapter to connect a whole range of Bosch power tools for efficient dust extraction while working on your DIY projects. And since a power tool is connected via a socket on the front panel of the vac, an automatic switch will synchronise the vacuum cleaner operation with the operation of the connected power tool.

The Bosch AdvancedVac will perfectly replace a number of cleaning tools in your household arsenal allowing you to accomplish a variety of domestic cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, vacuum cleaning, and dedusting times quicker and more efficiently.

Review of Bosch 06033D1270 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Exceptional Mobility

Though most wet and dry vacuum cleaners of average and large capacity come fitted with transport wheels for easy handling, especially when the garbage tank is filled with liquid wastes, many models would stall and skid on uneven and paved surfaces or gravel sidewalks and grass. Yet, it’s not the case with the Bosch shop vac. Coming packed in a robust and durable plastic body and featuring 5.3-gallon capacity, the unit rests on a dolly with large and sturdy rear wheels ensuring the appliance stability and mobility on any surface, be it wooden, stone, tile or carpet covered floors, asphalted or paved paths.

Bosch 06033D1270 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £123.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B071YLJJ81

 

VonHaus 15/187

High Durability and Performance at an Affordable Price Tag

When choosing any kind of tools, equipment, or appliances for your household, it is always nice to get exactly what you want without hitting your budget, isn’t it? To cut off the final price, many manufacturers fall back on different tricks. Some of them choose lower quality materials while others minimize functionality and reduce the number of helpful options. And only a few of them manage to find a compromise and produce a quality product at an affordable price. With a wet-dry vac from VonHaus, you won’t have to choose between design quality and functionality, you’ll have both at a budget-friendly price tag.

Like more expensive models designed for the use under tough conditions, this unit features a stainless steel body contributing to its durability and enhancing its wear-resistance. A solid plastic trolley with sturdy wheels will let you easily propel the unit on any surface both indoors and outdoors. Owing to an ergonomic handle on the top and relatively low unit weight, you’ll be able to quickly carry the unit to where the mess is. A 7.9-gallon tank capacity in a combo with a 6-m power cord will allow managing numerous cleaning tasks without the need to discard the waste and clean rather large areas with a single power socket. While the biggest inconvenience about many shop vacs including even premium models is the need to lift the unit to drain the liquid waste which is not an easy job since the unit might be rather heavy when the tank is full, it is not a problem with the VonHaus vacuum cleaner. Despite its rather bulky dimensions, the unit is very easy to empty, thanks to a special drainage hole on the tank.

When it comes to the VonHaus functionality, it’s also not inferior to that of top-quality models. Packed with a wet and dry cleaning technology and complete with a basic set of attachment nozzles, this shop vac can suck up almost all kinds of dry debris and wet wastes and will enable you to tackle dirt, dust, and spills in hard-to-reach areas and tight spaces where other cleaning tools would fail. Besides, similar to higher class models, the VonHaus also offers a blowing option expanding the appliance functionality with blower functions.

If you look an affordable yet quality and functional cleaning appliance meeting your household needs, the VonHaus wet-dry vac is the right unit to go for.

Review of VonHaus 15/187 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Not Only Surface But Also Air Cleaner

Bag and cartridge filters which wet and dry vacuum cleaners usually come equipped with do not capture fine dust particles and germs bringing them back with the exhaust air. It means you will have to get an additional HEPA filter when working with fine dust. Unlike many other shop vacs, the Von Haus includes a HEPA filter that will efficiently clean exhaust air from ultra-fine dust particles and debris picked up by the vac. Thus, you can rest assured that not only the surfaces but also the air in your dwelling will be clean and free from germs and allergens.

VonHaus 15/187 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner in the use
Last updated price £64.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B078HNZ3CQ

 

What Is a Shop-Vac Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaner?

Cleaning is something you do on a daily basis to a certain extent. Though you are not necessarily into a big clean-up every day, there is a lot of tidying up tasks you have to tackle daily, especially if you have kids and pets or are engaged in some kinds of DIY projects, jobs, or hobbies related to big amounts of mess. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an opportunity to cope with various cleaning jobs using a single device? This is what Shop-Vac wet-dry vacuums are meant for.

Initially, Shop-Vac is a trade name owned by the Shop-Vac corporation that has been producing top-quality innovative vacuum cleaners for nearly 50 years. However, today a shop vac became also a generic term referring to almost any wet-dry vacuum cleaner. Primarily used for heavy-duty cleaning jobs and commercial applications, today, shop vacs are also available in a whole range of smaller models for domestic use. Following the same working principle applied in traditional vacuums, wet-dry vacs feature a bucket instead of a standard collection bag and boast much higher air intake ensuring extremely powerful lifting and suction capabilities. Unlike other vacuum cleaners for home use, wet-dry vacs are much more versatile and can be used not only for removing in-house dirt and spills but also for unclogging water pipes, cleaning out your fireplace, removing snow from your pathways, or handling construction waste in a workshop.

In case, you need a vac for minor cleaning tasks such cleaning furniture or car interior, you can go for one of the light-duty handheld vacuum cleaners.

What Features to Compare

Performance

Performance is one of the major selling points for any electric appliance and a wet-dry vacuum cleaner is not an exception. Performance is defined by a number of motor characteristics that all together determine the unit scope of application. For Shop-Vac vacuum cleaners these motor characteristics are:

  • Motor electric rating and horsepower rating that denominates the maximum output power of the electric motor;
  • Airflow in CFM that is a maximum volume of air the motor can move under certain system load. This characteristic greatly depends on the type and size of the hose used, accessories applied, and the filter cleanness;
  • Sealed pressure is measured in inches and shows how far a vacuum motor will lift up a water column.

All these characteristics define the vacuum suction power and, as a result, the unit cleaning performance. The higher the suction power is the more different cleaning tasks your vac will be able to accomplish and the wider scope of application it will have.Yet, it’s worth noticing that for all Shop-Vac models, the manufacturer specifies maximum values achieved on all the above-mentioned characteristics that were achieved during laboratory testing. But it does not mean that vacs will always operate under maximum load and the output suction power might vary under the impact of such factors as a dirty filter, leaks, and accessories used.

Capacity

The wet-dry vacuum capacity is a volume of a garbage collection tank which is usually measured in gallons. The larger the tank capacity is the more dirt and debris you’ll be able to collect per cleanup without the need to discard the waste. However, one important thing to mention here is that a tank capacity also determines the vac size. And with a big tank being filled with waste, the whole unit will become heavier and more difficult to handle. Hence, it’s recommended choosing the Shop-Vac model size meeting the tasks you need to tackle on a regular basis.

By performance and capacity characteristics, Shop-Vac vacuum cleaners fall into several categories. Thus Home and Apartment series, Small Vac series, and DIY and Workshop series feature lower performance and tank capacity characteristics suitable for light-duty cleaning jobs. Meanwhile, the products from high-performance Stainless Steel series and Industrial and Contractor series will work better for heavy-duty domestic tasks and tough commercial applications on construction sites and production shops.

Usability

Shop vacs usability is defined by a combo of accessories the vac comes packed with expanding its functional versatility and convenience features ensuring the ease of use and comfort of operation. Thus, a choice of helpful accessories might include specialized attachments and nozzles for cleaning different types of surfaces, objects, and areas, several hoses and extension wands to get into hard-to-reach spaces and handle various kinds of garbage, disposable bag filters for quick clean-ups and minor everyday needs, and foam sleeves for prolonging a reusable filter service life. Convenience features you’ll come across in shop vacs include a tank drain option for quick and easy contents dumping, an onboard accessory storage, a blow feature, and transport wheels for convenient unit handling.

Did you know?

Get the Most out of Your Shop Vac

Shop-Vac wet-dry vacuums are known for their durability and high-performance characteristics. Whether you need a heavy-duty unit for commercial use on a regular basis or a portable shop vac for occasional and minor domestic clean-ups, you’ll find it within the shop vac range. Notably, all shop vac models are made of top-quality solid materials ensuring the unit durability and flawless operation in any conditions, be it less harsh home cleaning or tougher conditions of workshops where you might need to handle anything from heavy dust and wood chips to metal shaving and even used hardware such as nails, screws, and metal clamps. However, to keep your Shop-Vac optimal performance, consistently achieve the best cleaning results, and extend the unit service life to the maximum, correct use and due maintenances are the key rules you should stick to. Below, we’ve summed up several main things you should do to get the most out of your shop vac cleaner.

1. Keep the Filters Clean

A clean filter is an essential element for maintaining your shop vac high performance. Dirty filters prevent airflow and reduce suction power, all of this greatly decreasing the vacuum cleaner effectiveness. After each use, especially if you did a serious cleaning, it’s recommended to remove the air filter and knock it against the inside of a waste collector to shake out the dust and fine particles. Yet, if you notice any tears, damages, or any kind of stains on the filter, it’s better to replace the filter since dust and debris escaping the filter might cause clogs. Replacing a filter, always make sure the new filter is properly installed since incorrect installation will also lead to the suction loss.

2. Don’t Forget About Collection Bags

Standard shop vac filters are not meant to stop fine dust particles and dust will exhaust back into the air and even might cause motor damages. Hence, if you pick up fine dust, remember to use a disposable bag filter or a HEPA collection bag designed for capturing the finest dust and even allergens. As a result, you will need to clean a reusable filter less often and prolong the service life of both a filter and the whole unit.

3. Clean Your Shop Vac on a Regular Basis

Regular cleaning is a must if you want your shop vac to serve you faithfully for years. After each cleanup, especially if you were tackling a big mess, wipe the unit body with a clean rag to remove the dust sticking to the exterior. Keep the vac exhaust vents clean and free from dust clogs since it might block the air backflow and eventually lead to motor failures and malfunctions. From time to time, rinse the collection tank and the hose with water and you are free to use some cleansers to eliminate accumulated germs and bacteria. Try to apply this cleaning procedure after any cleanup engaging spills and leakages collection.

4. Discard Debris After Each Use

Since shop vacs can pick up literally all kinds of dirt and debris, from fine dust to glass mess, insulation pieces, or some larger construction wastes, make sure to discard the collected waste after you finish the cleaning. The waste might get compact inside the canister reducing a powerful suction. Besides, it will create a favourable environment for bacteria and germs growth.

5. Always Watch What You Clean

Be careful when cleaning oil, paint, varnish, or other difficult and sticky liquids spills. Though your shop vac will cope with it, eventually, it might lead to clogs. Hence, thoroughly clean the hose, canister, and filters after a tough spills clean-up.

The next thing that requires extra caution is hazardous materials such as harmful chemicals and poisonous powders, asbestos, and all kinds of dry fertilizers. Try to avoid cleaning those substances by a shop vac to prevent accidental exposure. In this case, it is better to contact a local cleaning service.

Sources:

1. Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners: A Buying Guide, eBay. June 4, 2015.

2. 8 Best Uses for a Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaner, DoItYourself.com.

3. Vacuum cleaner, Wikipedia. January 13, 2018.

4. Tom Raley What Is a Wet-Dry Vacuum? Sciencing. April 24, 2017.

5. Juliana Labianca 11 Unexpected Ways You Never Thought to Use Your Vacuum Cleaner, Reader's Digest.

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Publish Date: 2018-03-13 08:58:12