7 Things You Should Not Vacuum Up (And Why)

I rely very closely on my vacuum to assist maintain my home clear. I exploit it to maintain all of my flooring clear—carpet, tile, and hardwood included! However generally I depend on my vacuum just a little too a lot, and find yourself vacuuming issues that I most likely shouldn’t. In spite of everything, regardless of all the flamboyant options that fashionable vacuums have, they aren’t indestructible! They usually aren’t essentially low-cost both, so it’s essential to maintain them in good working order.

To assist with that effort, right this moment I’ll be sharing a listing of stuff you mustn’t vacuum up. Otherwise you may phrase it as, “stuff you shouldn’t feed your vacuum.” As a result of a vacuum is just like some canines in that it’s going to eat virtually something with out contemplating the potential penalties. And also you, because the accountable proprietor, can shield your vacuum by stopping it from “consuming” the next objects! 😉

7 Things You Should By no means Vacuum Up

1. Glass

While you’re cleansing up damaged glass, resist the temptation to seize your vacuum. Bits of damaged glass can simply harm your vacuum. For example, in case your vacuum has a bag, the glass may puncture the bag and create an enormous mess. And even when your vacuum is bagless, bits of glass may scratch up the interior workings and even get lodged within the hose!

As a substitute, begin by sweeping up the large items of glass. Then use a humid paper towel or a bit of bread to choose up any tiny items of glass which will nonetheless be lurking within the space. (I’ve used the bread trick a number of instances, and it really works like a allure!)

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2. Water

Until you’re utilizing a Store-Vac (or an analogous moist dry vacuum), you shouldn’t try to vacuum up water or something that’s moist. If moisture will get trapped inside your vacuum, it may result in mildew progress. (Yuck!) Moisture in your vacuum may result in electrical failure, which may put your vacuum past restore.

As a substitute, clear up water and different sources of moisture with a microfiber material. They’re very absorbent, and are a lot better fitted to the job than your vacuum!

3. Make-up

Make-up spills could be tragic, however trying to hoover up the mess may create extra issues than it solves. There’s a really actual risk that the vacuum brush might smear the make-up additional into the carpet. And even when the make-up does get efficiently sucked up into your vacuum, eyeshadow and basis may very well soften as soon as they’re inside. (Now there’s a multitude that I might NOT get pleasure from having to scrub up!)

As a substitute of reaching on your vacuum, simply choose up as a lot of the make-up as you may. As for eradicating the remainder of the spill or stain, take a look at my publish beneath for tons of suggestions for cleansing carpets!

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4. Lengthy Hair

Once I say that you just shouldn’t vacuum up hair, I’m not referring to hair that finally ends up on the carpet or furnishings. That’s completely effective to hoover up! I’m speaking about utilizing your vacuum to scrub up loads of hair without delay (as an illustration, the aftermath of an at-home haircut.) Hair can shortly clog up your vacuum, or get wrapped across the brush and stop it from working correctly.

As a substitute, seize your dustpan while you’re cleansing up loads of hair. And while you inevitably have to take away a bunch of hair that’s gotten coiled round your vacuum’s brush, take a look at the hyperlink beneath for simple tips about clearing it out!

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5. Ashes & High quality Mud

Regular family vacuums aren’t designed to deal with particles as effective as fire ash or development mud. They might find yourself coating the within of your vacuum and clogging it up, or these effective particles may simply get blown proper again into the air!

As a substitute, simply sweep up ash or mud. You might wish to sprinkle a moist materials like used espresso grounds over effective mud to keep away from respiratory it in whilst you work. Or simply get an affordable Store-Vac and use that as a substitute! They’re designed to deal with nearly any mess.

6. Cash

Small, heavy objects like cash are actually arduous on a vacuum’s motor. The may harm small components inside your vacuum. It’s additionally a rip hazard for vacuums that use luggage.

As a substitute, test for bigger objects earlier than you begin vacuuming. Verify the bottom for cash, small plastic objects, and something that isn’t mud, grime, or hair, and make sure to choose them up.

7. Cords

I believe that everybody has by accident ran over a twine with their vacuum sooner or later, so I most likely don’t have to explain what occurs intimately. So to place it briefly: it doesn’t go properly. Both you need to forcibly take away the twine from the vacuum, or it finally ends up as a shredded, tangled mess.

So earlier than you begin vacuuming a room, take a second to search for any cords that is perhaps in the best way. Decide them up off the bottom to be sure you received’t run over them. And ensure to maintain your vacuum twine safely out of the best way as properly! Most vacuums have a helpful twine clip that may assist make it simpler.

Have you ever needed to cope with the unlucky aftermath of vacuuming up one thing you shouldn’t have?