Wet/Dry Vacuum is a multi-functional device that cleans dry and wet spills. They can also be employed to wash. They are smaller and lighter than a typical vacuum cleaner; so, they are more portable and cost-effective than conventional vacuum cleaners.
Hence, they are available in cordless/corded versions, and some models are wall-mounted, saving you storage space.
To purchase the top dry vacuum cleaner, it is important to be aware of these essential aspects.
- Power: The motor’s power of a wet-dry vacuum cleaner can be measured as horsepower (HP), which is the measure of suction. Therefore, the more powerful the horsepower of a cleaner, the greater the performance it provides. It is available in three kinds, namely low, medium and high.
- Capacity: The tank capacity determines how often you need to eliminate the dust. Therefore, the bigger the tank, the more frequently you’ll need to drain it. Also, the space within your home must be considered when storing.
- It has a medium suction level of 5-6 HP, which is suitable for outdoor and indoor cleaning zones.
- High suction level: 6+ HP, it is suitable for cleaning heavy-duty.
- Suction Power: Suction Power is expressed by Cubic FPM (CFM) that determines the efficiency of a vacuum in removing debris and waste. For instance, you can use the shop vac with powerful suction capacity for small or industrial workshops.
- Low suction power: 1 to 4.5 HP is ideal for light-duty work and is used to clear tiny areas.
Wet/Dry Vacuum Types
Dry and wet vacuums are essentially the same. Choose one based on your needs for cleaning, storage space, and how far you’ll have to transport it. Below are the different types of dry/wet vacuums that you can think about.
1. Mini-Sized Wet/Dry Vacuums
They sacrifice the best performance and capacity to get the lightest weight and the easiest storage.
2. Large Wet/Dry Vacuums
They are powerful and ideal for difficult cleanups. They can hold the largest amount of debris. However, they can also be bulky and heavy, especially when stuffed with water.
3. Medium-Sized Wet/Dry Vacuums
They offer a tremendous balance of efficiency and the ability to be compact.
4. Small Wet/Dry Vacuums
Consider these options when you’re willing to compromise performance and capacity in exchange for greater transferability.
How Does a Wet/Dry Vacuum Work?
Dry and wet vacuums typically employ two-chamber systems that separate liquids and solids in two buckets. When the debris is taken through the vacuum system, it is transported through the tube.
The airflow diminishes around the buckets losing the air’s grip, so dirt and heavy liquid can fall into the buckets.
Various dry and wet vacuum cleaners come with blow functions that are perfect for transferring leaf debris and leaves into an orderly pile before vacuuming it.
Top 5 Uses of Wet/Dry Vacuums
Suppose you’re a restoration expert or professional cleaner searching for a larger vacuum that can tackle any task or a homeowner looking for a small vacuum to tackle everyday tasks at home. In that case, there’s a solution for you. A dry and wet vacuum cleaner is a great option for those who require the ability to handle many different tasks.
Wet/dry vacuums can be used to:
- Go Outside: Do you need to remove the sidewalks and clear leaves? If the leaves are blow into piles or taking dirt off the sidewalk, a wet one can do the job using a dry or wet vacuum.
- Water Cleanup: Do you have an overloaded toilet and a pipe bursting in the sink? A dry/wet vacuum is ideal for tackling small water issues in your home.
- Carpet Cleansing: Rub mild detergent on your carpet. Use your vacuum to eliminate staining and more.
- Create Fireplaces sparkle: If it’s time to clear the fireplace, a dry or wet vacuum is a fantastic option to remove the ashes quickly.
- Floor Cleaning: Several dry and wet vacuums have attachments for cleaning hardwood floors and can also be utilized as a regular vacuum for cleaning upholstery or curtains.
What Do You Need to Know?
Many major brands are pushing stackable, cordless vacuums for wet and dry cleaning and innovative designs to move wet/dry vacuums out of basements and into the living and kitchen room. However, cleaning is the main thing to consider.
1. Consider Size
The most powerful models usually provided the most efficient, speediest cleaning, and also the largest capacity, and also tended to be the most well-equipped.
However, you might require smaller, lighter vacuums, perhaps even a mini-sized one, if your home lacks storage space or is on more than one floor.
2. Do Protect Your Hearing
All the dry and wet vacuums that we tested were very loud. Some of them reach 85 decibels. The threshold that we suggest wearing ear protection to avoid hearing damage.
3. Don’t Believe Capacity-Claim Hype
Most manufacturers overstated the capacities of the vacuums we tested, some even exceeding eight gallons. While these claims might be associated with the size of the vacuum’s collector area, our tests are based on the amount of vacuuming that occurred until the float inside each vacuum was high enough to stop any further suction.
