8 things you should never vacuum up
When we have to clean the floor or carpets, the first tool that comes to mind to do this is a vacuum cleaner. It is more powerful than using a broom, and removes dirt effectively. And it saves us a lot of time as opposed to doing it manually.
But there are some materials that it would be best to avoid vacuuming: not so much because the machine would be ineffective, but because these materials could damage the vacuum cleaner itself. Below, you will find some examples:
By not vacuuming the items listed below (or, for some, by not vacuuming them often), your vacuum cleaner will last longer and you won't have to spend money on expensive repairs! Read on to find out more:
Hair and fur (in copious amounts)
It is true that a vacuum cleaner is your best friend when you have pets at home, but you still have to be careful when using it: in fact, vacuuming up a lot of hair or fur could clog the machine. And this is doubly true if the hair or fur is damp. It is best to remove the bulk of the hair or fur with a broom and finish off with the vacuum cleaner.
Water and other liquids
There are some appliances which are capable of washing and vacuuming the floor: these multi-purpose appliances can also vacuum up water and liquids that are not too viscous. But for most standard vacuum cleaners, liquids are enemy number one and should be avoided absolutely.
Shards of glass
If you break a glass, use a broom to sweep it up, not the vacuum cleaner: glass shards can damage the internal parts of the appliance. So, first sweep up the bulk of the glass with a broom and then use the wet cloth to pick up any smaller pieces.
Coins, paper clips
These metal objects must always be picked up by hand before the vacuum cleaner passes over them: often, these items can get jammed in the internal mechanisms of the vacuum cleaner, damaging the engine or other delicate workings. Avoid wherever possible!
Coffee grounds
If you spill some coffee grounds, it is best to use a broom to clean up: compared to other types of powdered dirt - and especially if they are still damp - coffee grounds can adhere to the internal walls of the suction tubes and mold can develop from this.
Very fine powders
There are some very fine powders, such as certain cosmetics or even some ingredients used in cooking (icing sugar, certain starches and similar) which can cause damage if vacuumed up: these powders are so fine that the dust can get into the internal parts of the engine and make it overheat.
Potting soil
Vacuuming up potting soil should also be avoided. Indeed, using a vacuum cleaner can push the soil even deeper into fibres. And if you vacuum up potting soil from a bare floor, it is best to clean the appliance before moving on to avoid any soil being tranferred to the other surfaces.
Ash
Creativo
The ash creates the same problems as fine dust: when you try to suck it up it can end up in the engine or being expelled into the air again. There are special vacuum cleaners, with wider vents and special collection bags which can be used for ash. But even with one of these, always check the temperature of the ash before vacuuming it up: ash retains heat for hours after the fire has gone out, and this will destroy your vacuum cleaner.
A little care and your vacuum cleaner will last for a long time!
