Vacuum cleaners have revolutionalized the way of handling dirt, and we all are grateful for it! Whether you want to get rid of sawdust, dust, spilled cereals, spiders, or any other unwanted stuff from a surface, a vacuum cleaner works hard to ensure that you keep your space squeaky clean at all times.
And yes, if you just knocked a water glass off your coffee table, one thing you might have wished for is to have something that can work the water off the surface without having to bid goodbye to a couple of your paper towels.
Perhaps you are even thinking of using your regular vacuum cleaner to suck up the water. But hold on, boy! Knowing whether your machine works for that job is absolutely paramount. So, is it a safe thing to do?
Can You Use a Regular Vacuum For Water?
No! You can’t use a regular vacuum for water. While this machine works magic to get hair, dust particles, bugs, and other kinds of debris off the floor, it isn’t recommended for water and liquids generally.
You see, for you to make the most out of any machine, there’s one basic principle; only use it for the intended purpose. The manufacturer knows better what’s best for what they make. They also know what can damage your purchase – and they’ll always tell it. Never again ignore the warning label attached to the product or user manual.
And yes, that also applies to vacuum cleaners. If you want your investment to deliver excellent results and serve you for long, only use it for sucking up the recommended stuff and nothing more.
As for regular vacuum cleaners, they are only ideal for picking up dry matter from the surface. That’s why it might have left you in awe the last time you used it for dust, pet fur, or other dry stuff.
As for your current soaked floor, find another means. Using a regular vacuum for sucking up water is highly prohibited. It’s better to part with several towel wipes or use a mop rather than your standard vacuum cleaner.
What Happens If You Vacuum Water?
What happens if you vacuum water is that the appliance may get destroyed. In fact, that’s the least of the problems to expect. You could as well find yourself in the hospital bed if lucky to have someone rush you there soon enough – but that isn’t very likely with the minor spills.
Perhaps you aren’t an electrical engineer. But it doesn’t take one to understand that water and electricity don’t interact smoothly. The two are the worst enemies. Sure, with some extra bit of fine-tuning, it’s possible to use electrical appliances for water. But as for a standard cleaner, that bit comes missing.
The moment you stick the tube in water when the unit is running, at least one of these things will happen. Firstly, some water may get into the bag and clog everything up. When that happens, you risk destroying the fan.
Secondly, the water may get into the motor. When that happens, the reaction between water and electricity may fry out wires. Sometimes this reaction may even lead to fire or electrocution.
In other words, the best you can hope for when using a standard vacuum cleaner for sucking up water or any other liquid is a ruined machine. And when that happens, you can expect to part with some decent amount to get things back to normal. Sometimes the only viable option is buying a new machine.
Can You Vacuum Water With a Dyson?
No, you can’t vacuum water with a Dyson either. Manufacturers will tell you that Dyson only works for picking up dry objects and not water or any other liquid. Using Dyson for water or spills will attract trouble.
You see, when using any object, your safety comes first. If whatever you want to do puts your life at risk, then you better not do it. Using a Dyson vacuum for sucking up water exposes you to the risk of electrocution – so it’s best to avoid it.
As much as Dyson vacuum cleaners are safe for use, they only remain safe when deployed correctly. By CORRECTLY, I mean in conformance to the manufacturer’s intended purpose. Anything outside that – vacuuming water, for instance, compromises user safety.
Again, your Dyson’s electrical components may develop issues when they come into contact with water. That will affect how the machine performs when you next use it, whether for the intended purpose or not.
But even besides the risk of electrocution and damaging the unit innards, using the machine you previously utilized for sucking up dust and other dirty particles is messy in the first place. When water combines with the dirt particles from your previous task, the outcome can be unpleasant.
So basically, if you want a vacuum cleaner that can work for water and other wet stuff, go for the wet/dry vacuum or a Shop-Vac. These cleaners work ideally for sucking up water and other wet substances from the floor. Of course, that’s when still retaining the dry cleaning usability.
But before you use the vacuum for cleaning spills, adjust the unit to suit that kind of job. There’s a big difference between cleaning water and cleaning dry dirt. That’s why before you power that appliance on, ensure that you have every necessary setting right in place.
Can You Vacuum Water With The Hose?
Maybe! If you previously used the wet/dry vacuum for dry dirt, first attach the right hose for the task at hand. Usually, wet/dry vacuums come with several hoses that don’t serve the same purpose. Hence, make sure you grab the correct hose for vacuuming water.
Wet/dry vacuum adjustment differs from model to model. For some, you need to remove the filter before using them for wet applications. However, for others, it’s okay to leave this part. As such, read the booklet keenly on whether the filter needs to remain.
But in case you don’t need to remove the filter, remember to clean and dry it immediately after you finish using the vacuum. Using a wet filter for cleaning dry dirt will cause clogs, attract mold, and affect the appliance’s cleaning efficiency.
Can You Vacuum Water Out of The Carpet?
Yes, you can effectively vacuum the water out of a carpet. But again, you have to first get the ideal cleaner for the work. By that, we mean that you should go for a wet/dry vacuum and not the regular variety.
The most reliable way to dry your carpet out is the most natural way – to take it out and hang it in the sun. That way, it will dry without you having to use any object to remove the water.
However, hanging will only work for small area rugs. For the large wall-to-wall carpets that are too large to remove, you have to find an alternative way of sucking up the water – and that’s where the idea of a vacuum cleaner comes in.
And yes, you can only work with a wet/dry vacuum. It will do the work safely and efficiently. Only ensure that you keep monitoring the fill tank for emptying before it hits overflow.
But again, a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the water to the last drop. The backing and the seams may still hold some water even after running a vacuum cleaner over the carpet. But they won’t take much time as they otherwise would for them to dry.
Can You Vacuum Rice?
While a conventional cleaner can effectively vacuum rice, the manufacturers don’t recommend it. Uncooked rice has larger particles than dust and other particles an ordinary cleaner is meant to handle.
But if you are lucky enough to own a Shop-Vac, that’s another job made easier. These vacuum cleaners can effectively clean uncooked spilled rice. Unlike the standard models, shop vacs are sturdier and can handle heavier duties. So yes, if you have this type of cleaner, then proceed and use it for cleaning rice from your floor.
If you don’t have the Shop-Vac, it’s still okay. A broom and a dustpan will serve you just as well, but it will take more time and effort than a vacuum would require. Only don’t use the standard type of vacuum for the job.
Can You Vacuum Wet Food?
Yes, you can vacuum wet food. But like rice, you will need a wet/dry vacuum if you want to do the job effectively without risking your vacuum cleaner. As said, your average cleaning tool isn’t for picking up anything wet – whether a spill, soggy cereal, or wet food.
As such, the next time wet food drops on the floor, don’t be quick to grab your regular cleaner. The simple act could welcome a lifetime of trouble for your machine. Wet food will destroy the filters and may damage your all-time favorite cleaning partner.
Again, don’t be tempted to think that there isn’t enough water in the food. When we say wet, we mean everything that’s not dry, including cooked spaghetti and coffee grounds. If you want to clean this mess but don’t have the ideal vacuum cleaner for the job, we suggest that you stick to paper towels or microfiber cloth.
Other things that you should never clean with your vacuum are flour, spices, baking powder, or anything else with fine particles. But for nuts, cereals, and some other dry stuff, you can make your vacuum the go-to cleaner.
Can You Vacuum Water at Car Wash?
Yes, you can vacuum water at a car wash. Most vacuum systems at car wash are ideal for both dry and wet applications. The majority of these cleaning systems are also more powerful than most home-used plug-in cleaners.
Only ensure that you remove all the water in the carpet and car seats. Even the tiniest amounts of liquid traces can attract mold. And as you probably know, mold is one of the common causes of health complications in humans.
Final Verdict
Never use the typical vacuum cleaner to pick up liquids such as water. In fact, don’t even utilize it for wet foods. Generally, standard vacuum cleaners don’t work well for wet applications. They pose danger when used outside dry applications. The machine could get damaged, catch fire, or even worse, electrocute the user!
As such, if you need a vacuum cleaner that can work well for dry and wet components alike, get a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. They have a wider scope of usability than the conventional models. Only expect to pay a little more than you would for a regular cleaner.