When there’s a breakage at home, most people reach for their vacuum cleaner.
But there are certain items you should never hoover up, experts have warned.
Mistakes with these common household spills could leave you with a broken device and a costly replacement.
‘If your vacuum is making a strained, desperate noise and the suction has dropped, it could be blocked because you’ve hoovered up something you shouldn’t have,’ experts at Which? said.
‘Poor suction and blocked filters are among the most common problems reported by corded and cordless vacuum owners.
‘Vacuum cleaners aren’t cheap to replace, but regular maintenance – such as keeping the floor head and filters clean – will help to keep it working effectively for longer.
‘It’s also worth remembering that some household spills, tempting as it is to suck them up, are like kryptonite to your vac – Dyson or otherwise.’
So, are you guilty of hoovering these things up?
Most people immediately reach for their vacuum when there’s a mess or spillage on the floor – but there are certain objects that should never be sucked up the hoover, experts have warned (stock image)
Ash and sawdust
With autumn approaching, it may soon feel cool enough to light a small fire. But with that comes the inevitable spillage of ash while emptying the fire grate.
You should think twice about vacuuming leftover ash as it’s likely to jam up your filters and cause suction to drop, the experts said. The same goes for sawdust and grit that appear during building projects.
Sweeping it up can also be problematic, as it can send irritating particles into the air. Instead, experts suggest dampening it first with a bit of water before tackling it with a dustpan and brush.
Sharp objects – including glass
‘If you’ve dropped a glass, it can be very tempting to vacuum surfaces near the breakage to make sure you catch any small sharp bits that can cut your hands, feet or pet’s paws,’ the Which? blog reads.
However, vacuuming glass will likely damage your device as tiny shards can get lodged in the hose and motor.
People should sweep up glass before dabbing surfaces with damp kitchen roll to pick up any remaining tiny shards, they said.
Vacuuming ash from a fire is likely to jam up your filters and cause suction issues, experts said (stock image)
It’s tempting to try and hoover up small pieces of glass if something smashes, but a dustpan and brush are a safer option (stock image)
Muddy paws can leave dirt all over your rug, but using a vacuum is likely to grind it deeper into your carpet (stock image)
Soil and plant debris
Anyone with cream carpets will be familiar with the annoyance of spotting a smudge of dirt or soil. But you shouldn’t reach for the vacuum in this instance, the experts said, as its force and weight will likely grind the dirt deeper into your carpet.
Plant debris can easily clog up your device too, they said – especially if it’s moist.
Again, the dustpan and brush should be brought out in this situation, the experts recommend.
Liquids
It may seem obvious, but sucking up liquids into your hoover is a safety risk and could cause an electrical failure.
Anything that is damp could also clog up the tube and block the filter, resulting in a dirty damp mess.
Instead kitchen roll, a cloth or a mop should be used to clean up any spilled liquids.
It may seem obvious, but sucking up liquids into your hoover is a safety risk and could cause an electrical failure (stock image)
Paperclips and other small objects such as coins or pins could get stuck in your vacuum’s brush or crack the internal tubing (stock image)
You should also keep your vacuum well away from syrup, glitter or glue as they can collect inside the hoover, heat up and melt (stock image)
Small objects
While small bits of debris aren’t likely to cause any issues, hoovering up coins, paperclips and pins could lead to problems.
They could get stuck in the brush or even crack or pierce the internal tubing or the motor of the device.
Again, a dustpan and brush is best to use in this scenario, the experts said.
Sticky stuff
Finally, you should keep your vacuum well away from syrup, glitter or glue as they can collect inside the hoover, heat up and melt.
Eventually this will break the motor, resulting in the need to buy a new vacuum, the researchers said.
The only way to deal with this kind of mess is with a damp, soapy cloth. ‘If there’s any glue in the carpet, distilled white vinegar can help to dislodge it’, the team said.
