In the past, cleaning liquid spillages or dry debris were separate tasks, for separate tools or appliances. Now, through cleaning innovation, both dry and wet mess can be removed with a singular machine – the wet and dry vacuum.
Wet and dry vacuum cleaners make cleaning more convenient, efficient and effective – allowing you to spend less time cleaning your space, and more time using it. Read on to learn what a wet and dry vacuum is, what benefits it offers, and how to use one with the experts at Shark.
What does a wet and dry vacuum do?
As the name suggests, wet and dry vacuums clean up both solids and liquids (including semisolid liquids like sauces). To support this functionality, these vacuums tend to be sturdier than your typical vacuum. You can use them on multiple soft and hard surfaces, as well as indoors and outdoors. Whether you are cleaning animal fur, stubborn dirt in carpet or spills on hardwood floors – the vacuum works by separating solids from liquids in the water tank, for easy removal afterwards.
What are the benefits of wet and dry vacuum cleaners?
Wet and dry vacuums allow for a variety of cleaning advantages – so let’s explore those key benefits, along with some cleaning tips, below.
1. Multi-surface cleaning
Wet and dry vacuums are versatile – capable of delivering deep cleaning on a range of surfaces and saving you time as you transition to new floor types and spaces. These surfaces include, but aren’t limited to:
- Carpets (all types)
- Rugs
- Hardwood
- Tile
- Vinyl
- Ceramic
- Stone
2. Power
Wet and dry vacuum cleaners are high-powered. Our Shark MessMaster, for example, takes care of tough messes: including foodstuffs, glass and blocked sinks. When learning how to deep clean your home, be sure to use the correct carpet, crevice or squeegee tool for different surfaces. If using a cordless vacuum, make sure to charge your machine after every use, as you may experience a temporary loss of power when using on low charge.
3. Convenience
Multi-floor cleaning saves you time, enabling you to seamlessly move from room-to-room with minimal adjustment. Depending on the surface and debris, the vacuum will shift from vacuuming to mopping automatically – without you even noticing. Shark’s wet and dry vacuums are also cordless: making it easy to navigate your space and reach crevices, corners and other tight spaces.
4. Easy to clean
Adding to the convenience of Shark's wet and dry vacuums cleaners is a pair of key features: an internal filtering system, and an in-built self-cleaning mode.
The Shark HydroVac Pro XL features a two-tank system, separating liquids and solids as they enter the machine. After you’ve emptied the tank, place the vacuum on its charging dock and use the self-clean cycle. The next time you use your vacuum, it will be both internally cleaned and fully charged.
5. Hygienic
When it comes to hygiene, what sets apart wet and dry vacuums like the Shark HydroVac Pro is its antimicrobial brush roll.
This brush roll facilitates the hydro mopping system: deodorising your floors as the suction removes the loosened debris and liquid. This means that, effectively, these vacuums not only deep clean surfaces – but refresh your entire space, too.
How to properly use a wet dry vacuum
The benefits of wet and dry vacuums for household, office and workspace cleaning are myriad – and, by combining functionality with adaptability, these vacuums deliver spotless results. Read on to learn how to use a wet and dry vacuum.
Assemble your vacuum
Wet and dry vacuums are separated into three key parts: the pole (or handle), the main body, and the charging dock.
To assemble your vacuum for its first use, you’ll need to align the pole with the main body and insert it into the top. It will click when correctly in place.
To remove the handle, press the release button located at the back of the unit and pull the handle.
Charge before first use
The first charge of your wet and dry vacuum will take approximately four hours. For charging, follow the instructions below:
- Plug your charging dock into a wall outlet, laying the dock flat on the ground.
- Lower your vacuum body onto the spine of your charging dock.
- You can monitor the charging indicator located at the top of the machine. This will display when the machine is on low, mid, nearly full and full charge.
- To enjoy full power, make sure your vacuum is fully charged before you use it.
Fill clean solution tank
Your clean solution tank contains the water that will be used for the hydro mopping function of your wet and dry vacuum cleaner. If the tank is not sufficiently filled, your vacuum won’t run. Follow these steps to fill your clean solution tank:
- Remove the tank, which is located at the top of your machine body. The release button is also at the top of the body.
- Unscrew the cap and fill up to the WATER line.
- Add your Shark HydroVac Multi-Surface Concentrate to the HYDROVAC CONCENTRATE line.
- Screw the cap back on and place the tank back into the top of your vacuum body.
Use the correct mode for each surface
To effectively deep clean surfaces, you have two cleaning modes to choose from: hard floor mode and area rug mode. Hard floor mode is used for hard surfaces, while area rug mode is used for rugs and carpets.
To activate hard floor mode: Turn on your vacuum and tilt the handle back. This is the default mode of your wet and dry vacuum.
To activate area rug mode: Press the area rug icon on the top of your handle. This is located just above the power button. To go back to hard floor mode, simply press the area rug icon again.
Use self-cleaning mode
Maintaining your wet and dry vacuum cleaner is made easy with the self-clean cycle. Follow these instructions after each use:
- Place your vacuum on the charging dock.
- Empty your dirty water tank and refill it so it’s at least half full.
- Press the power button, and the self-clean cycle will automatically start. This will take about two minutes.
- Once finished, empty the dirty water tank and replace it again.
Maintain the brushroll
Your only bit of manual cleaning involves occasionally wiping away any stubborn debris that may get stuck on the brushroll. Here’s how to maintain your brushroll:
- To access the brushroll, press the button on the top of the nozzle and remove the brushroll cover.
- Remove the brushroll by pulling up the tab on the side of the nozzle.
- Wipe away any debris that might be stuck on the back wall (behind the brushroll).
- Wash the brushroll with warm water, then leave to dry for at least 24 hours.
- Reinsert the brushroll, lining up the sides of the brushroll with the nozzle.
- Place the brushroll cover back on.
Learning how to use your wet and dry vacuum cleaner is rewarding, but how much should you use it? To find out, read how often you should truly vacuum your home.
