What do you do if you left your vacuum cleaner outside in the rain, or it got wet?
Will it still work if it gets wet? Also, does sucking up water ruin a vacuum cleaner? What are ways that a vacuum cleaner is ruined?
Let’s answer these questions and show what you can do!
How To Dry Out A Vacuum Cleaner
First of all, don’t panic! It is possible to dry out your vacuum cleaner and get it working again.
Here are a few steps on how to do this:
- Unplug the vacuum cleaner or remove its battery, and then take it apart. This will help the water to evaporate more quickly.
- Make sure to take out the filter and replace it if it’s a paper filter, or clean and dry if it’s a washable filter.
- Place all the parts on a towel in a well-ventilated area, but is covered and protected from rain and water. Run a fan next to the vacuum cleaner to help it evaporate faster. If you have an electric leaf blower, use that to blow out the parts.
- Allow everything to air dry for 24 hours before reassembling the vacuum cleaner and plugging it back in. If parts are still wet, give it two more days to dry.
Water & Vacuums
In general, rain water will not ruin your vacuum cleaner. However, if water gets into the electrical parts of the vacuum, it can cause damage and keep the vacuum cleaner from working.
That’s why it’s important to unplug the vacuum and take it apart as soon as possible after it gets wet.
If you have any doubts about whether your vacuum is dry, don’t plug it in! It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Rainwater can be more corrosive than other water, so spray some WD40 on the wheels bearings and roller bearings, but avoid spraying the motor. The electric motor needs to air dry, it should have protective grease and the WD40 will worsen it.
Shop Vacuum Got Wet, Is It Okay?
A shop vacuum is better at dealing with water than a normal vacuum cleaner.
If you leave your shop vacuum cleaner out in the rain, then just unplug it, open it up and let it dry out. It’s more than likely fine, they’re made to clean wet messes.
Though, you don’t want the shop vac motor to get wet, but letting it dry out it should be fine. These things are built a lot stronger than normal vacuum cleaners.
Don’t Suck Up Water With Regular Vacuum
It’s not recommended to use a vacuum cleaner on wet messes, as this can damage the vacuum.
The best way to deal with a wet mess is to use a shop vac, which is specifically designed for sucking up wet messes without damaging the machine.
To see about cleaning wet carpets and wet messes, go to the post here.
You should use a shop vacuum if you want to suck up wet messes, as explained here.
50/50 Shot
It’s a 50/50 shot, your vacuum cleaner will be fine after you let it dry.
Sometimes the rainwater or any water doesn’t get anywhere important, and it’s fine. The simpler the vacuum cleaner, the more likely it will survive. So if your vacuum cleaner has a screen and a computer chip in it, then the odds are not in your favor.
How To Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner
Leaving your vacuum cleaner outside, especially during a rainstorm, will often mean it needs to be cleaned as gunk from the rainwater and wind will get to it.
We have a post that goes over how to clean your vacuum cleaner.