For a clean-up involving ordinary dust, small pieces of rubble and non-hazardous water, choose a wet and dry vacuum cleaner whose instructions say it can handle the materials you need to collect. A cylinder vacuum is better suited to finishing floors once the debris has been removed. Pick up any pieces that are too large or not approved for the machine by hand. If hazardous dust is a possibility, particularly if asbestos is suspected, don’t use a domestic vacuum cleaner for the job.
After light DIY jobs, you may need to remove ordinary dust, small pieces of rubble and possibly non-hazardous water. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, tank capacity, accessories and how easy the vacuum is to empty all matter when choosing a wet and dry vacuum cleaner.
You’ve already picked up the debris, and there’s only a small amount of ordinary household dust left. A cylinder vacuum may be suitable for the final clean, as long as you choose a floor head that’s right for your flooring and don’t use it for water or rubble.
You’re working in an area where a cable would get in the way, or you’d like to connect a vacuum to a compatible tool. With a cordless model, check which battery and charger are included, as well as the quoted run time for your chosen configuration.
For small jobs around the home, first identify the materials involved. The domestic appliances discussed here are only suitable for non-hazardous dust, debris and liquids.
Consider this: for a larger clean-up or a mix of ordinary dust, small pieces of rubble and non-hazardous water, where these materials are approved in the instructions.
Bear in mind: a tank sized for the job may take up more space. Also check the hose diameter and the instructions for wet vacuuming.
Consider this: for finishing indoor floors when only a small amount of ordinary household dust remains.
Bear in mind: keep rubble and water out of this clean-up, unless the instructions for the specific model explicitly say otherwise.
Do this first: pick up pieces that are too large, heavy or not approved in the instructions before vacuuming any permitted residue.
Bear in mind: this takes time and is no substitute for taking the right precautions when dealing with hazardous dust.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of dust | Identify the material before choosing an appliance. For ordinary dust, check the filtration and care instructions for the exact model. If hazardous material is a possibility, don’t use a domestic vacuum cleaner for the job. | If I don’t know what the dust contains, I want to avoid choosing an appliance that’s unsuitable for a hazardous material; around 40% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Water and small pieces of rubble | Check that wet materials can be vacuumed, along with the tank capacity and accessory diameter. First remove any debris that’s too large or excluded in the instructions. | When a clean-up involves non-hazardous water and ordinary debris, I’m looking for a tank and accessories suited to the materials I need to remove; this would be the main requirement for around 30% of consumers. |
| Reach and storage | Compare the cable and hose lengths with the area you need to clean. For a cordless model, check which battery is included and the quoted run time with that battery. | In an area far from a socket or cluttered with tools, I want to reach the dirt and put the appliance away easily afterwards; around 30% of consumers would prioritise this. |
According to the French Ministry of Labour, home renovation work can expose people to asbestos. A domestic vacuum cleaner is not suitable for dealing with potentially hazardous dust.
If you’re unsure what a material contains and there could be a hazard, stop cleaning and get advice on the appropriate preventive measures.
A hose that’s unsuitable for the debris, limited reach or an awkward emptying process can make cleaning more difficult, even with a large tank.
Start with the materials you need to remove, then check the accessory diameter, reach, emptying process and how much storage space the appliance needs.
Being suitable for water doesn’t mean an appliance can handle ash. Kärcher says its domestic wet and dry vacuum cleaners must not be used to vacuum ash without suitable equipment.
Check the instructions for your model. For the relevant Kärcher appliances, the brand recommends using a pre-separator or a dedicated ash vacuum cleaner.
The quoted cleaning time depends on the model and battery configuration, and needs to cover the area you plan to clean.
Check the quoted run time with your chosen battery, and whether the battery and charger are included with the version on sale.
The DIY range includes the AdvancedVac 20, which Bosch presents as suitable for vacuuming wet and dry materials.
Nilfisk offers wet and dry vacuum cleaners in a range of capacities, as well as a separate range described as suitable for Class L dust.
The wet and dry range, designed for use around the home and in workshops, includes several WD models with different features.
The brand offers cordless workshop vacuums on its 18V ONE+ platform, as well as corded tank models.
Rowenta cylinder vacuums are worth considering for finishing indoor floors and cleaning up ordinary household dust once the debris has been removed.
The two Vacmaster models below are for wet and dry cleaning of ordinary dirt, within the limits set out in their instructions. The Electrolux cylinder vacuum is better suited to finishing floors after the debris has been picked up, and must not be used to vacuum liquids.
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Worth considering for ordinary wet and dry dirt when you’re looking for a 20 L tank.
Before using it for small pieces of rubble or near a power tool, check the instructions for permitted debris, accessory diameter and connection details.
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Worth considering for cleaning ordinary wet and dry dirt with a 20 L tank.
The model name mentions a blower function. Check the size of debris it can handle, and which filters and bags are compatible, before planning to use it after DIY jobs.
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Worth considering for finishing indoor floors once the rubble has been removed and only ordinary household dust remains.
Don’t use this model to vacuum liquids. Check its instructions and which bags are compatible before using it after DIY jobs.
Yes, for a small amount of ordinary household dust on the floors, after you’ve removed the rubble. Check the floor head and filtration for your model, and don’t assume it can handle water or DIY debris.
A wider hose and tubes make it easier to pick up rubble, according to UFC-Que Choisir. However, check the dimensions and materials permitted in the instructions, and pick up any pieces that are too large by hand.
It depends on the model. Follow the instructions to set it up for wet vacuuming. Bosch says the AdvancedVac 20 uses a cartridge filter for wet and dry materials without needing to change it during use. This doesn’t apply to all wet and dry vacuum cleaners.
Not necessarily. Kärcher says its domestic wet and dry vacuum cleaners aren’t suitable for ash without a pre-separator or a dedicated ash vacuum cleaner. Check the exclusions in your appliance’s instructions.
Not with a domestic vacuum cleaner chosen for household cleaning. The French Ministry of Labour notes that home renovation work can expose people to asbestos. Stop cleaning and get advice on the preventive measures appropriate to the situation.