Breaking glass is annoying, especially when you must clean it up. Vacuuming up broken glass is one of the fastest and easiest ways to do it. Although vacuuming broken glass is safe, there are some concerns. Does it damage the vacuum cleaner? Does it pose an injury risk for the person doing the vacuuming? This blog post will answer the question, “Can you vacuum broken glass?” and give you tips on how to do it safely.
Broken glass shouldn’t be vacuumed because it can damage the vacuum cleaner and pose a safety risk.
Can You Vacuum Broken Glass | Let’s Find Out
The first thing to remember is that vacuuming broken glass can be dangerous. It can damage the vacuum cleaner and release tiny bits of glass back into the air if glass shards break the bag or filter. Small shards can hurt whoever’s operating the vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming broken glass requires utmost care and precaution.
The best way to vacuum broken glass is to follow these tips:
Step 1. Wear protective gloves
Wear protective gloves when you clean up broken glass. The gloves protect your skin from glass shards that could hurt you.
Step 2. Remove more significant pieces of glass
Remove more significant pieces of glass before vacuuming using a broom and dustpan. Injuries will be minimized, and the area will be easier to clean.
Step 3. Use a wet paper towel
Pick up any small pieces of glass with a wet paper towel before vacuuming. You’ll have less chance of them scattering as you vacuum.
Step 4. Use a vacuum with a disposable bag
Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a disposable bag or filter. When you finish vacuuming, throw away the bag to prevent broken glass from returning to the air.
Step 5. Check the vacuum cleaner
Check the vacuum cleaner before and after vacuuming to ensure no glass shards are caught.
Also Read: How Often to Run Robot Vacuum?
Why Shouldn’t You Vacuum Broken Glass?
Try dropping a glass cup on the floor and watching it shatter into a million pieces. Usually, you’d grab a broom and dustpan or vacuum the mess away, but experts warn against doing that.
Although vacuuming is the easiest and most efficient way to clean glass, it can cause more harm than good. Here’s why you shouldn’t vacuum broken glass and how to clean it instead.
1. Vacuuming could spread the glass shards
You risk spreading broken glass shards around your house when you vacuum it. The glass could get embedded in your carpet fibers or flooring if fine or sharp. If someone steps on the glass, you and your family could be in danger.
2. It could damage your vacuum cleaner
Dust and hair are relatively soft materials that vacuum cleaners pick up. The glass pieces could scratch and damage the inside of your vacuum cleaner, causing it to break or malfunction. In addition to being expensive to fix or replace, it could be an electrical hazard.
3. You could injure yourself
Vacuuming broken glass can be dangerous if you’re not careful. You can get glass pieces in your eyes or skin if the glass pieces puncture the vacuum bag. You still risk injury if you don’t know how to handle broken glass, even wearing gloves and goggles.
4. It’s not the most effective method
Indeed, vacuuming broken glass isn’t the most effective way to get rid of it. Sweep the more significant pieces with a broom and dustpan, then pick up the smaller pieces with a piece of bread or a damp paper towel. Soft bread or damp paper towels will pick up the glass shards without spreading or scratching them.
5. Alternative methods for cleaning up broken glass
The wet/dry shop vacuum works like a broom and dustpan. These vacuums can pick up wet and dry materials and pick up broken glass without damaging the machine. Put the vacuum’s contents in a sealed bag and throw it away.
Also Read: How Long to Charge Shark Robot Vacuum?
What Will Ruin A Vacuum?
There’s only one answer: water.
You know how powerful wet-dry vacuums are if you’ve ever used one after a flood. These suckers are great for sucking up water and other liquids quickly, and they also get rid of the smell.
You can ruin your wet-dry vacuum quickly if you misuse it. The machine’s internal parts are designed to handle dust and dirt but not water. You’ll end up with rust and corrosion if you let your vacuum run while it’s full of water or if too much water gets into the machine while it’s running.
When your wet-dry vacuum starts rusting, what should you do? There are two options: You can try baking soda and vinegar to remove the rust (which works well), or you can replace your vacuum with one made specifically for wet cleaning.
Also Read: What Robot Vacuum is Good for High Pile Carpets?
Bottom Line:
So, Can You Vacuum Broken Glass? Cleaning broken glass can be a pain, but vacuuming can make it easier. Taking care and precaution when vacuuming broken glass is essential to avoid injury.
To vacuum broken glass safely, wear protective gloves, remove larger pieces first, use a wet paper towel, use a vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag, and check the vacuum cleaner before and after use. Make sure you’re safe!