When you think of a vacuum cleaner, the first image that pops up in the head is a machine sucking up the dust from a carpet. If you push your imagination further, you are likely to be faced with a scenario where you have a liquid spillage and the task of cleaning has come to a halt. Is it okay to use the vacuum over a spillage? What could be the consequences and how can you clean up this mess? These are the questions likely to run through your mind.
If you come across a similar scenario, where you have to go to great lengths to clear up the mess, you should consider buying a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. It is a handy tool to have in situations where it is a regular scene to have as much wet mess as a dry dust.
What Is a Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner?
It is a vacuum cleaner, which works indoors as well as outdoors and is capable of clearing both wet spillages and dry dirt as is indicated by the nomenclature itself. Its functionality is enhanced by its basic design, which allows the wet and dry waste to be stored in separate compartments to avoid mixing of the two and creating an opportunity for a mishap due to electric shocks. The liquids are absorbed using a foam filter, while the dry waste is collected via paper cartridge filters.
Do You Need a Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner?
Originally, wet and dry vacuum cleaners were created considering their utility for industrial purposes. But with time, their versatility has been proven for household use as well and various models to suit different needs have evolved. They can be used for cleaning interiors of cars (including mats), grout from tiled flooring, cleaning wooden floors or spillage from a broken pipe or an overflowing (or even leaking) tub. Its blower function also has several uses such as cleaning up wood shavings after woodwork and unblocking drains and pipes. If you face similar situations, you are probably a good candidate for this type of vacuum cleaner.
Factors to Consider While Buying a Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
As with most choices made in life, there are certain factors that you should consider before deciding on your wet and dry vacuum cleaner.
- Size
While the largest of these vacuum cleaners are said to have the best cleaning prowess, those may not be what you need. Your requirement could be for a smaller model. There are wet and dry vacuum cleaners available in mini, small, medium and large sizes. With size, the performance becomes better, but the portability becomes worse. The size, which offers the best combination, is the medium-sized wet and dry vacuum cleaner.
- Noise Levels
The noise levels of this type of vacuum cleaners could reach as high as 90 decibels, which is loud. If you would be using this regularly, you would need to protect your ears from the noise level. A better option would be to opt for a vacuum cleaner with noise levels less than 86 decibels.
- Capacity
Beware of the claims made by manufacturers regarding the storage capacity of the vacuum cleaner and get a realistic estimate of the liquid storage capacity.
- Attachments
There are various tools that you can use to get the best results. Ensure that the vacuum cleaner comes with all the needed attachments for cleaning.
In conclusion, it is safe to say that you need to consider the need, size, capacity and portability of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner. Before buying, you can do thorough research about the vacuum cleaner online.