Dyson vacuums are incredibly powerful and can handle all kinds of messes. But there are some things you should never vacuum up with your Dyson.
Putting the wrong stuff in there can seriously damage your machine or make it stop working properly.
In this guide, I’ll go over the top things to avoid vacuuming with a Dyson. I’ll also give you tips on how to clean up those messes safely without wrecking your vacuum.
The following are personal opinions that may not be true for all Dyson vacuum models. Each model and its accessories have different capabilities. Please read the user manual carefully before using your Dyson vacuum.
1. Keep All Liquids Far Away
Having any type of liquid accidentally sucked up can seriously damage your Dyson.
Water, soda, milk, juice, or anything wet can short out the motor and corrode metal parts. Liquids also encourage mold and bacteria growth inside the vacuum.
Not only water and household liquids, but also flammable or combustible liquids like gasoline, paint thinner, or alcohol should never go near your Dyson.
Their fumes are extremely dangerous and can cause fires or explosions. Never vacuum in areas where such flammable liquids or vapors may be present.
What to do instead
If there’s a spill on the floor, soak it up immediately with towels or a mop. Give the spot plenty of time to dry thoroughly before vacuuming over it.
For countertops and other surfaces, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe up spills instead of the vacuum.
Be cautious about liquids around your Dyson to avoid expensive repairs or replacements.
2. Don’t Vacuum Up Broken Glass
If you’ve dropped a glass, it can be very tempting to vacuum surfaces near the breakage to ensure you catch any small sharp bits that can cut your hands, feet, or pets’ paws.
But vacuuming broken glass will damage your Dyson. Tiny shards can lodge themselves in the hose, and motor, and if you use a bagged vacuum, they can tear the bag, potentially causing everything inside to spill out.
What to do instead
Thoroughly sweep the glass to remove the large pieces. Then, carefully wipe the area with damp paper towels to grab shards you can’t see.
Double-check that the floor has no more glass bits before running the vacuum. Never let your Dyson suck up broken glass to avoid harming the machine.
However, you can still vacuum broken glass at your own risk. Watch the video below to see how the Dyson DC29 handled a huge pile of broken glass.
3. Keep Out Sawdust and Ash
It may seem harmless to vacuum up sawdust or ash with your Dyson. But those super fine particles can cause big problems.
They can clog filters, reducing suction power. Friction from the particles also overheats the motor.
These fine bits are especially problematic for Dysons with Cyclonic technology, which uses spinning air to separate debris.
What to Do Instead
Rather than vacuuming, use a brush and dustpan to carefully sweep sawdust and ash. You can also wipe hard surfaces with a slightly damp cloth to remove the particles. Only run the Dyson after you’re positive the area is clear.
For fireplace or wood stove ash, get a specialized ash vacuum made for extreme heat and fine dust. Never let your regular Dyson ingest sawdust or ash.
4. Don’t Suck Up Food Spills
Be careful not to vacuum up food spills. Food particles can attract ants, cockroaches, and other pests that may infest your Dyson.
Rotting food also causes bad odors. And sticky foods can clog tubes or wrap around brushes.
What to Do Instead
If you drop food on the floor, wipe it with paper towels or a spatula. Then, use a damp cloth or disinfectant to clean the area. Wait until the floor is totally dry before running the Dyson over it.
5. Keep Out Tiny Objects
Tiny items like coins, paper clips, nails, screws, and Legos can get stuck in the Dyson’s hose or motor. They may jam the machine, damage the brushes, or scratch and dent the plastic.
It’s easy to overlook small things on the floor, so check carefully before vacuuming around furniture and kids’ toys.
What to do instead
If something gets sucked into the vacuum, turn it off immediately. Then, remove the object from the hose or bin. In the future, pick up loose small objects by hand before vacuuming.
6. Don’t Vacuum Up Plant Debris and Soil
Leaves, petals, and other plant debris seem harmless. But they can clog or stain your Dyson vacuum, especially if moist.
Soil also contains moisture and minerals that corrode metal vacuum parts. And it can have bacteria or fungi that can grow inside your vacuum and affect the air quality.
What to do instead
First, sweep up any visible plant matter, soil, or dry mud. Use a dustpan and brush for this, not your Dyson. Wipe plant pots or outdoor furniture with a cloth or brush instead of vacuuming.
7. Avoid Sticky Messes
Gum, glue, wax, chocolate – anything sticky can damage your Dyson. That gooey stuff sticks to brushes and tubes, reducing suction.
Sticky gunk can also melt or harden inside your machine, harming the motor and filters.
What to do instead
If you encounter sticky stuff on the floor, do not use your Dyson to remove it. Instead, use a scraper or a knife to lift it off the surface.
Then, use a cloth or a sponge to wipe the area with warm water or a suitable solvent. Do not use your Dyson until the floor is dry and residue-free.
8. Don’t Suck Up Hair and Paper Clumps
It’s very tempting to use your Dyson on piles of pet hair or shredded paper. However, large clumps can get tangled in the brushes and tubes, reducing suction power.
These materials also generate static electricity that can interfere with the vacuum’s sensors and electronics.
Before vacuuming, check your model’s ability to handle hair and paper debris. If unsure, it’s safest to avoid large clumps.
Instead, first, sweep the piles into manageable bundles. Then, pick up the clumps carefully by hand or with a dustpan.
Only run the Dyson once the floor is completely clear of large hair and paper clumps. This prevents potential damage to your machine.
Below is the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS section from the Dyson V10 Animal user manual guide.
You should look for a similar section in the user manual for your specific vacuum model to review the key safety information.
9. Do Not Vacuum Up Anything Burning or Smoking
Never use your Dyson to pick up burning or smoking items like cigarettes, matches, or hot ashes. The extreme heat can melt plastic components or cause a fire inside your vacuum.
Smoldering particles will also immediately damage the filters, letting unfiltered debris into the motor.
What to do instead
If you have burning or smoking material that needs disposal, use tongs or a metal dustpan to safely contain it without touching it directly.
Ensure hot ashes from the fireplace or barbecue are completely cold before vacuuming (with a specialized vacuum). It’s better to wipe surfaces with a damp cloth than risk vacuuming up embers.
Take extreme care to keep your Dyson away from burning or smoking.
The Bottom Line
Dyson vacuums can handle almost any cleaning job. However, certain materials can seriously damage them or reduce their cleaning power. Avoid things mentioned above, such as liquids, glass, sawdust, ash, etc.
By keeping those things out of your Dyson, you’ll keep it running smoothly for many years. Just remember to check your Dyson’s ability first.
If it cannot handle those messes, clean them carefully by hand instead of trying to vacuum them up!