Can I Use a Shop Vac as a Regular Vacuum Cleaner? To start, a shop vac is a special kind of vacuum designed for heavy cleaning; the kind of cleaning that’s required by construction, woodworking, or fabrication shop/work area. Having one of these guarantees that even chunky debris(such as nails) are sucked up into the vacuum- something a regular vacuum can’t do without consequences.
However, if your house is not extremely dirty and in need of heavy cleaning, you’re not likely to need a shop vac. On the other hand, you may need a shop vac if you want to rid your driveway, garage, porch, or veranda of numerous chunky debris. In general, your regular vacuum cleaner is more appropriate for typical home vacuuming.
Nevertheless, it all depends on your needs. If you’re someone that likes to get things done around the house, you will likely leave a trail of debris in your wake. You should consider getting your hands on a shop vac; they’re durable and powerful enough to handle larger debris. If you know what you’re doing, they should complement(not replace) your regular vacuum cleaner.
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What Is The Difference Between a Shop-Vac And a Regular Vacuum Cleaner?
The most obvious difference between a shop vac and a regular vacuum is suction power. The filtration power of a shop vac is sufficient for tackling all kinds of dirt and debris with ease. This makes it a popular choice for contractors and cleaners who do not have the time or the resources to manually clean large areas. A regular vacuum, on the other hand, is designed for lighter, more fine-tuned cleaning.
An important difference between a regular vacuum and a shop vac is in the way they are designed. A shop vac is specially designed to clean up both dry and wet messes. They can also handle different materials, including concrete, metal, and wood. Although many Shop-vac models are not as portable and easy to store as a regular vacuum, their design makes them very durable.
If you thought more power would make Shop vacs more expensive than the regular vacuum cleaners, then you’re in for a surprise; shop vacs are usually more affordable than regular models. So when you go shopping, you may find that a shop vac with more horsepower is cheaper than a regular vacuum cleaner- don’t be surprised.
After cleaning, a Shop-vac has to be lifted and heaved around to empty them. A regular vacuum requires no such labor- only remove the filter or bag compartment and empty its contents.
Lastly, regular dry vacuums usually have advanced filter systems with which they prevent fine particles from reentering your home as you clean. Shop vacs, on the other hand, can perform heavy-duty cleaning and do nothing to keep the air clean.
How Do You Use a Shop Vac Correctly?
Whether you’re just getting your shop vac out of the box or using an existing one, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using it. This is especially important if you’re working with an older model. However, we’ve got you covered on the basics of using your shop vac correctly. Let’s take a look:
Step 1: Make Certain it’s Empty
A shop vac may be able to handle dry and wet dirt, but that’s not a pass to use vacuum indiscriminately. It’s good practice to first empty the drum before you start using it. Empty watery content and wipe clean it with a small rag; empty solid waste into the bin.
Step 2: Check The Filter
If you’re cleaning a dry surface with your shop vac, make sure that the filter is positioned correctly. Because filters prevent right out while you doing the cleaning, the success of your whole cleaning operation hinges on this step.
However, for wet surfaces, you do not need filters – remove them. This is because liquid messes will damage the filter or even damage the vacuum if you attempt to vacuum with the filter still in.
Step 3: Select The Correct Attachment
A shop vac usually comes with different attachments, suitable for different kinds of jobs. For example, it’s ideal to use a brush attachment if you’re trying to clean the surface littered with pet hair or clean the corners of a dirty room. Shop-vac attachments that lay flat on the ground are useful for cleaning wet messes.
Step 4: Vacuum!
This is the part where you clean your work area using your shop vac. With the right attachments connected, turn on your Shop-vac and start cleaning.
Step 5: Empty The Drum
Once you’ve finished using your shop vac, you should always empty it. Before you begin sucking up debris, make sure to remove the collection container and drain the water from the motor. When the debris has dried and stuck to the hose, you should clean it out with a high-pressure hose and disinfect the filters with bleach. The sanitizing process will also keep the shop vac working efficiently and safely for many years.
Does HP Matter When Choosing A Shop Vac?
When choosing a shop vacuum, horsepower is a major factor to consider. This is the maximum output of the motor and is not necessarily the only factor to consider. Brushless motors are more energy-efficient and generate more performance than conventional motors. Depending on the model, they can produce up to 110 cm and 125 inches of suction. It is also important to ask about the filtration system.
The higher the horsepower, the more powerful the unit is. When choosing a shop vac, it is important to know the amount of power that the motor can produce. If you need more power, choose a model with a larger horsepower.
Let me explain, whenever you place your hand over the shop vac’s hose, does it lose suction? or does it remain the same? A higher hp translates to greater suction power. If you’re just trying to vacuum little debris, any 1-2 hp vac will suffice. If, however, you’re looking to remove all sorts of large debris like nails, wood chips, sand, etc then go for a 4-5 hp shop vac.
Can I Use a Regular Shop Vac For Fireplace Ashes?
If you’ve ever cleaned a fireplace, you would know how messy it can be, especially when you stand the risk of inhaling harmful fireplace soot while on it. So if you have a shop vac, it’s only natural for you to ask ‘can I use my regular vacuum for the fireplace?’ The answer is no. You should not use your regular vacuum for the fireplace.
If you need to vacuum your fireplace, use a vacuum cleaner that’s been specifically designed to handle that kind of task. We recommend you go for an Ash vacuum. They are built specifically for cleaning ash, and their mode of operation makes vacuuming your fireplace easier, faster, and more efficient.
Ash vacuums can tolerate high temperatures while cleaning, so you don’t have to be afraid of damage to your unit. Their filter, also, is very efficient, trap fine ash so that they don’t escape and contaminate your space. However, if you need more points as to why you should not use a regular vacuum for the fireplace, we brought you some:
- Decreases overall functionality and significantly reduces your vacuum’s lifespan.
- Significant ash evades the filter and enters the vacuum’s motor, damaging vital parts.
- The chances of starting a fire are very high.
- Can contaminate your space with harmful fireplace soot.
What Is The Best Ash Vacuum For The Fireplace?
If you’re a fireplace owner, fireplace ash is certainly a hurdle that you have to handle occasionally. Since you want to do it the right way, you’re going shopping for the best ash vacuum for the money. Here’s our recommendation:
Cougar+Ash Vacuum
The Cougar+ash vacuum cleaner(A0500) allows you to clean your fireplace in the least possible time and efficiently so. With this device, you get reduced cool-down waiting time; it comes equipped with a double-layer system of filters made of fiberglass, allowing them to withstand the heat. But
When it comes to storage capacity, the device’s canister can hold up to 6 gallons. However, the safe working limit before you would need to empty it is 3 gallons.
Features
Weight: 17 lbs.
Dimensions: 22″ × 15″ × 15″
Air Flow: 90 CFM
Motor: 6 Amps, 120V
Canister Capacity: 3 gals.
Noise Level: 80 dB
Cord Length: 6′
Hose Length: 5′
Pros
- High heat resistance.
- Various helpful accessories.
- The sealed design keeps the soot in.
- Comes with a stirrer rod.
Cons
- The agitator requires routine cleaning.
- Limited hose length.
You may also want to check out other ash vacuums for your fireplace. You should see the following:
- Shop-Vac 4041300
- PowerSmith PAVC101
- Pelleted Ash Vacuum Pro
- DeWalt 4 Gallon DXV04A
Can a Shop-Vac Be Used to Clean Carpets?
Yes, you can clean your carpet using a shop vac. However, note that the shop vac doesn’t clean the carpet, rather removes its water(or fluid) content and allows it to dry faster. Shop vacs or wet-dry vacuums are brilliant for cleaning various surfaces including upholstery and rugs.
Because it has two cleaning modes, a wet-dry vacuum(Shop-vac) comes with two types of filters: one foam filter for liquid intakes and one cartridge filter for solid dirt and dry dust. You should use the appropriate filter for the appropriate mess type or else the machine won’t function properly
But before you start, check if your wet dry vacuum comes with a carpet nozzle like in this Bissell. And make sure it’s attached before you follow the steps in this article.
However, if you’re trying to clean an oriental rug, check out our previous post to see the best vacuum cleaners for the job.
If you need to clean carpets with your shop vac, then ensure that you do it the right way. The next heading takes care of that.
How To Clean a Carpet Using a Shop Vac
Did someone drop something and it stained your carpet? Follow the steps below to clean it using a wet-dry vacuum:
Step 1 – Clear The Room
First things first, you need to clear the space in
which the carpet is; you do not want to damage any expensive furniture in the process.
Step 2 – Plug Your Shop Vac Into a Socket
Locate a suitable socket in the room nearby and plug in your shop vac. The power rating of many wet-dry vacuums is within range of a socket’s power rating- just like a regular vacuum, so you need not worry about blowing your electrical socket.
Step 3 – Dampen The Stain Area
Dampen the stained area, then with a little regular or carpet detergent, work the stain spot gently using a soft-bristled scrubbing brush.
Step 4 – Vacuum
Vacuum the soap-water mixture from the carpet until it’s free of most of the fluid.
Step 5 – Work Stain Area Again
Depending on the results you get from step 4, you might need to work the carpet using a paper towel. Swish the stained area with a paper towel to bring up any residue.
Step 6 – Vacuum(again!)
Vacuum the area again until it feels almost dry to touch. You may repeat steps 3 to 6 until you’re happy with the results.
What Is The Best Shop Vac For Home Use?
There is so much that a regular vacuum can accomplish. If you need that extra power for lifting water from surfaces or blowing leaves from off your driveway, then it’s time to purchase a shop vac for your home. Below, we recommend two of the most proficient shop vacs suitable for home use. Take a look:
Ridgid HD1600 16-gal 6.5 HP NXT Wet/Dry Vac
The Ridgid HD1600 is a powerful shop vac with airflow enough to take care of a variety of cleaning tasks. It has a 16-gallon carrying capacity, which means that you don’t have to stop several times to empty the canister while on the job.
Also featured are a 20-foot cord that gives you lots of room to move around, HEPA filter friendliness, locking hose, and other accessories. For a price less than $150, it’s impressive.
Features
- 7 options for accessory storage.
- 6.5 HP powerful motor.
- Sizable carry handle for cord wrapping.
- Blow capability(for blowing leaves and other light debris).
- The accessory lock lets nothing fall off.
- 180° dual flex hose mobility.
- Include a dust bag for the drum.
- 20-foot cord.
Pros
- Powerful blow feature.
- Long cable.
- Powerful motor.
Cons
- Slightly bulky.
Vacmaster Professional VFB511B 5-gal Beast Vac
The Vacmaster Beast VFB511B shop vac combines versatility with portability. It is a shop vac powered by a 5.5 HP motor and generates 102 CFM with 82.6 inches of water lift, far outperforming many shop vacs in the same category in terms of size. For a little less than $90, it’s hard to pass by.
Features
- 5.5 HP powerful motor.
- 7-foot hose with 1⅞” diameter.
- 18-foot cord.
- 320 air watts, 82.6 in water lift, and 102 CFM.
- Integrated storage for the hose.
- Includes premium kink-resistant hose, crevice tool, utility nozzle, car nozzle, extension wand, foam wet filter, fine dust cartridge filter, and noise and air filter.
Pros
- Powerful motor.
- Efficient crevice tool.
- Value for money.
Cons
- Unrealistic on-vacuum accessory storage.
Wrapping Up on Can I Use a Shop Vac as a Regular Vacuum Cleaner
Your regular vacuum is quite efficient, but it can’t hope to compete with a shop vac in terms of raw power and capability. Whether you just packed into a new apartment and need to do some heavy cleaning, clean up your garage, or blow your driveway, you’re sure to find shop vacs to be of great help. With the right handling, your shop vac will serve you for a very long time without hassles.
