Can I Use A Regular Vacuum For Sawdust? [AVOID!!!]

Are you into woodworking and wondering if you can use a regular vacuum for sawdust?

Large amounts of sawdust can ruin a regular vacuum cleaner. These materials can clog your filter and even pass through it, going into the motor and ruining your vacuum. In addition, sawdust can block the vacuum airflow, resulting in a loss of suction power.

Let’s take a deeper look into why you should not use a regular vacuum for sawdust and what alternatives you have 🙂 

Can I Use A Regular Vacuum For Sawdust? 

Though you could vacuum a tiny amount of sawdust, a regular vacuum will not handle the quantity of sawdust produced by large woodwork projects!

So, here are 3 reasons why you should avoid vacuuming sawdust with regular vacuums such as Dyson, Bissell, Shark, iRobot Roomba, Miele, Oreck, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and so on:

1. The vacuum filter can get clogged 

2. Sawdust can block your vacuum airflow

3. Sawdust can get to the vacuum motor

How Do You Clean Sawdust In Your House?

Before cleaning sawdust in your house, open a window in the room to let ventilate small dust particles that float as you clean.

Also, wear a disposable mask with a rating of N-95 or higher to avoid inhaling sawdust.

1. Dust Ceilings and Walls With a Duster

Grab a duster to gently wipe as much sawdust as possible from ceilings and walls.

You must do this first, so you can then clean up the sawdust that has fallen onto the floors. 

2. Wipe Furniture With a Microfiber Cloth

Wipe furniture, appliances, cabinets, and any other surfaces using a damp microfiber cloth.

Again, ensure you clean the highest points first, making your way down to the floor.

Wash the microfiber cloth regularly in your sink to ensure sawdust does not get onto the next surfaces you will clean.

3. Sweep The Sawdust

Gently sweep the sawdust with a broom and dustpan.

Dispose of the waste into a bag, which you’ll place directly into your outside trashcan once you are done.

4. Use a Shop Vac

If you have a shop vac, you can avoid dusting walls and ceilings, as well as sweeping the floors.

Shop vacs feature enough suction power to save you time and effort!

Start by vacuuming the ceiling, all the way down onto the walls and floor. 

5. Use a Dust Collector

Dust collectors are designed to draw dust and particles from the air through a special filter.

Such a filter captures the dust and releases purified air back into the environment.

Dust collectors feature bags that allow you to collect large quantities of sawdust.

So, if you plan to do woodworking regularly, I recommend you purchase a dust collector and use it whenever you need to clean the sawdust in your house.

6. Mop Once All The Sawdust Has Been Collected

Regardless of the option you choose to get rid of sawdust, mopping ceilings and walls (if waterproof) and your floor is a must.

1. Fill a bucket with water
2. Wet the mop and squeeze out as much water as possible
3. Use the damp mop to clean the ceilings first
4. Make your way down to the flower

Make sure you regularly rinse the mop to keep it clean. 

In addition, change the water as soon as you deem it to be necessary.

I Have Already Used My Regular Vacuum for Sawdust and It Is Now Clogged!

If your regular vacuum cleaner is clogged due to sawdust, do the following:

1. Wear an N-95 mask to avoid inhaling sawdust
2. Take your vacuum outside
3. Empty the vacuum in your trashcan outside
4. Disassemble your vacuum 
5. Use a shop vac, air compressor, or brushes to clean the vacuum
6. Reassemble your vacuum cleaner

Other Things You Should Never Vacuum

Sawdust is not the only thing you should avoid vacuuming with your regular vacuum:

Do not use your vacuum for the following:

• Large pieces of broken glass
• Wet foods
• Coins
• Fireplace Ashes
• Small items such as paper clips
• Dry cereal
• Gravel
• Used coffee grounds
• Plant debris
• Liquids
• Construction dust
• Shredded paper
• Clumps of hair
• Soil

FAQ

Conclusion

Vacuuming sawdust with your regular vacuum can completely destroy the machine unless you only vacuum a small amount. 

Instead, do the following:

1. Dust ceilings and walls
2. Wipe the furniture
3. Sweep the floor
4. Vacuum sawdust with a shop vac
5. Use a dust collector
6. Mop once the sawdust has been collected