I firmly believe that the secret behind a spotless home is a shop vac.
My husband and I have been living in the same neighborhood for many years now. We even have two beautiful kids who we raised in this very house. Over the years, I have cleaned all sorts of messes. Be it cleaning up after my kids ate dinner or even myself after a gardening session; I have done it all.
At one point, I realized our small residential vacuums couldn’t handle the load. So, we shifted to shop vacs, and it honestly has been effortless since then. Recently, my friend Irene came over and saw the shop vac. She was interested in getting one but didn’t know how to operate it or even change the bags, which got me thinking.
Hey there! I’m Stacy, and if you are apprehensive about shop vacs like Irene, I’m here to help. After I gave her some tips and tricks on things like how to install shop vac filter bag, I decided to put that information into a guide. Hopefully, this will give you that little push towards buying a shop vac for the house.
The main difference between Shop Vacs and residential vacuums is that these are made to clean large debris and wet messes. They are also a bit bigger, and since they can pick up glass and wood, the build-quality is stronger. Seems like a great power tool for cleaning, right? I thought so too!
However, when Irene asked me how to maintain and, most importantly, install/replace the filter bag, I understood the confusion. Most industrial products seem to be complex, but this one is quite simple.
One of the first things to remember is that a shop vac is made to clean up large debris like glass, wood, and even metal. This is why the filter bags should also be made with a material that can handle this kind of waste.
There are many reasons you should use a filter bag in the shop vac, but mostly it’s for ease of emptying. It helps collect all the waste in one bin, which can then be removed and disposed of. It also works better than the pleated filters that come with regular vacuums.
For vacuums like this, it is usually best to get a paper bag filter that is big enough to handle the household mess. Here is the easy and straightforward way to install the bags:
One of the first things to do will be to open the machine and look inside. As you notice the bin area, there will be a little hard-mounted intake spout which is key for the installation. Please note that these do not move or come out, so let that be as it is.
The paper filter bag is quite big with an opening that has cardboard around it. The bag will have to be made into a circle so it can fit inside the vacuum bin. As you make the circle, open the cardboard top area just a little and place it in the bin, so the hole faces the spout.
This step is pretty simple. All you need to do is insert the spout through the hole in the bag. Hold the cardboard and pop the bag in place. After that, you need to put the top lid back on and ensure that the bag is in place and not caught between the lid.
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It is crucial to ensure the bag remains in place. So, as you place it in the bin, fold it against the bottom so that it does not hit the top lid when closed.
Another thing to remember is that the above steps are for the newer models. If you have an old or a wet/dry model where the spout is detachable, you will notice a U-shaped holder around the spout. To install the filter bag, remove the spout entirely and fix the cardboard into that U-shape holder.
That holder will keep the cardboard in place when you attach the hose, connecting the bag with the vacuum. Remember to spread open the intake hole so that the hose does not hit the cardboard and goes in smoothly.
Considering that a shop vac is more industrial than residential, it is understandable to question its need. While I feel a residential vacuum can do most of the cleaning, I find shop vacs more efficient for me. If you do DIY work or need just one tool to clean wet and dry mess, then having a shop vac is quite handy.
However, it is worth noting that not all shop vacs can vacuum liquids; most are made for dry things only. The wet/dry ones cost more but can be helpful if there is a requirement for it. Using a wet/dry shop vac is also a much better alternative to squeegees and towels for removing water on the floor.
Also, note that the process for installing the filter is different for wet/dry ones (as mentioned in the “tips and tricks” section).
These were just a few things I mentioned to Irene, which proved to be quite helpful. I hope these were just as informative to you too.
Before leaving, I would like to reiterate that a shop vac is not necessary for the house but definitely makes things easier. If you are like me and get involved in many DIY projects or spend a lot of time in the garden, then a shop vac is ideal for cleaning up the mess. On that note, I shall take your leave and be back soon with many more guides.
See you next time!
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