10 Things You Should Absolutely Never Vacuum
Vacuum cleaners are built tough, but they’re not invincible. Suck up the wrong thing and you’ll clog it, ruin the motor, or worse—wreck the whole machine. Most people don’t realize how many common messes should never go near a vacuum.
A quick sweep or wipe could save you hundreds in repairs. Here’s what to watch for.
Broken Glass
Vacuuming glass isn’t safe for you or the machine. Sharp edges can shred the hose, crack the canister, or rip the bag.
Sweep it up with a broom and dustpan instead. Go back with a damp paper towel to pick up any tiny shards the broom missed.
Wet Spills
Water, juice, or anything damp should never hit a regular vacuum. Moisture ruins the motor and turns dust inside into a sludgy mess.
Use paper towels or a mop to soak it up. If you’ve got a shop vac made for wet stuff, that’s the one time it’s okay.
Fireplace Ash
Ash looks harmless but those fine particles slip past most filters, blowing right back into the air—or worse, clogging the motor.
Scoop cooled ash with a metal shovel and use a damp cloth to wipe up the dust. Or use an ash-specific vacuum built for the job.
Construction Dust
Drywall dust, sawdust, or concrete powder can wreck filters fast. It cakes inside, blocks airflow, and burns out the motor quicker than you’d think.
Grab a broom or a shop vac designed for fine particles. Your regular vacuum won’t survive this one.
Coins and Small Hardware
A stray screw or a penny might seem harmless until it rattles into the motor or cracks the internal fan.
Check the floor before you start. Pick up bolts, nails, pennies, and anything else solid enough to do damage.
Hair Clumps
A few strands? Fine. A wad of pet hair big enough to knit a sweater? Bad idea. It tangles in the roller, jams the belt, and clogs hoses fast.
Sweep it into a dustpan first. Once the bulk is gone, the vacuum can handle the leftovers without choking.
Plant Debris
Wet leaves, sticks, and dirt from potted plants clog the hose and cake inside the canister. Moisture makes it ten times worse.
Grab a dustpan and broom for this one. If it’s dry dirt or dry leaves, it’s safer—but still check for sticks that could jam things up.
Coffee Grounds
Even when dry, coffee grounds are dense and pack tight inside hoses and filters. Wet ones? Worse—they turn into sludge inside your machine.
Sweep them up or grab them with paper towels. Vacuums hate this mess.
String, Yarn, or Tinsel
Long stringy stuff wraps around the brush roller until it seizes up. That’s how belts snap and motors overheat.
Pick it up by hand. If the roller’s already tangled, cut it off with scissors before you burn the motor out.
Fine Powder (Flour, Baking Soda, etc.)
Powders feel harmless but clog filters fast. The vacuum can’t breathe, and the motor struggles until it fails—or blows dust all over the house.
Wipe it up with a damp cloth or sweep it gently. Leave the vacuum out of this one.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
