I’ll confess – I’m a big fan of using a shop vac for household needs. It’s like a superhero of tidying tools, and once its power is experienced, there’s no going back.
A shop vac, often called a wet/dry vac, is a relentless workhorse. It can handle just about anything thrown its way and keep on going. With kids or pets in the house, it’s practically essential! That’s exactly why a shop vac is my go-to for tackling the toughest messes on floors and carpets.
Sure, some shop vacs may not include a beater brush, but their raw power and durability more than make up for it. When it comes to keeping a home in top shape, the strength of a shop vac is hard to beat. Stick around, I’ll be sharing the one I consider the best all-rounder for carpets, and it’s definitely worth a look!
What I Would Use
When it comes to a reliable shop vac that can handle carpets as well as just about anything else, the Vacmaster 4 Gallon 5 Peak HP with 2-Stage Industrial Motor Wet/Dry Floor Vac is a solid choice.
For household use, it’s important to consider accessories, power, capacity, and durability. The Vacmaster checks all of these boxes, and then some.
Here’s what makes this model stand out:
- 5 Peak HP motor
- 4-gallon capacity
- Handles both wet and dry messes
- Multi-surface floor nozzle works on carpets and hard floors
- Long power cord and extended hose reach
- Strong, durable container that feels nearly indestructible
- HEPA-rated filter
- Easy mobility, with large rear wheels for smooth rolling
- Plenty of attachments for all kinds of household messes
- More affordable than many of the high-end vacs seen on TV
- Picks up mud, pet hair, dirt, dust, coins, spills, and more
- Quieter operation than expected
Click Here to see Reviews and Price on the VacMaster Vacuum (Amazon Link Ad)
I have a nice little post about the benefits of a shop vacuum vs. a regular vacuum here. I go into details about what you can use a shop vacuum for like cleaning up spilled wine and glass.
Another Option
The Shop-Vac Wet Dry Vacuum (Amazon Link Ad) is also a good vacuum cleaner. A Shop-Vac was one of the very first shop vacuums I ever used.
The reason why it’s not top on the list is that it will require a little bit more accessories to get it going. We actually talk about this more in the shop vacuum vs regular vacuum post I mention above. If you’re in the market I would strongly consider looking at this vacuum too.
You can’t go wrong with either machine, they’re both great!
Cleaning Carpet
One neat little trick I like to use for carpet care or spot treatment is pairing a shop vac with a steam washer.
If my dog has an accident on the carpet, I set the shop vac to the wet mode and pull up as much liquid as possible. A towel can also work for soaking it up, which helps keep the vac from holding onto odors. Afterward, vinegar is great for rinsing out the shop vac’s tub to keep it fresh.
Next, I bring in a steam washer like this one and go over the area. The hot steam sanitizes and refreshes the fibers far better than most sprays or solutions. For anyone who prefers chemicals instead of steam, an enzyme-based product is a solid alternative, as enzymes actively break down organic messes.
Once the steaming is done, I return to the shop vac to pull out the remaining moisture. It’s never a good idea to steam and then just walk away—that’s a common mistake. Steam only loosens stains and odors; they still need to be extracted. Using a shop vac to finish the job is far more effective than scrubbing or leaving the spot untreated.
Having a good steam cleaner and shop vacuum is a must for any home with kids or pets. These two things really do make your life so much easier when it comes to cleaning.
Note: A shop vacuum is not a carpet cleaner, those are special vacuum cleaners that use chemicals to scrub the carpet clean. You can rent carpet cleaners like rug doctors from your local stores to thoroughly clean your carpets. One thing I like to do when I have cleaned my entire carpet in the house with those rug doctors is to take the shop vacuum behind it to dry the carpet faster. I just don’t like having wet carpet as I worry about mold and such – also the smell too!