More Than A Cleaning Tool: 5 Unexpected Ways To Use A Shop Vac In The Home And Garden

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A shop vac is a surefire way to clean up messes. If you've spilled breakfast cereal or a bag of rice on the kitchen floor, this powerful vacuum can suck it up in no time. Thanks to the long, flexible tube, a shop vac is great for cleaning up dust in places that would otherwise be hard-to-reach. You can use it to clean between car seats or couch cushions — just keep an eye out for loose change as you go. But, beyond sucking up spills, workshop messes, and dust, there are a few other unconventional ways this machine can come in handy. With a bit of creativity, you can fix problems in your home and garden using your shop vac.

Part of why this machine is so useful is because it has an electrical cord that can reach across long distances. So, if you have a small yard, you can use it in many outdoor applications. While the machine is known for sucking, it can also blow air — similar to a leaf blower. The shop vac canister — the main component that looks almost like a robot — has an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port sucks air, then the machine filters the air, which exits through the outlet port. To use the blowing feature, simply connect the tube to the other port.

Shop vacs are also unique compared to regular vacuum cleaners because they can usually suck up wet material. You simply have to take the top off, remove the collection bag and filter, and then plug the machine into a GFCI outlet to avoid electrocution. There is a low barrier to owning this technology. For instance, the Cheapest shop vac at Home Depot is only $39.97. Or opt for Harbor Freight's highly rated wet/dry Bauer vacuum for $140.

Inflatable pool gear makes it possible to enjoy the water without swimming — you can even get some sleep while floating. If you're someone who enjoys relaxing on a tube or blow-up bed, you've probably experienced the lightheaded feeling that comes from breathing air into them. Or maybe you've even tripped over a bicycle pump in an effort to make the process go faster. Instead of relying on manual tools or even your own lungs, simply hook up the shop vac's hose to the outlet port, and use it to inflate your beach ball or flamingo floatie. Just remember that electricity and water don't mix, so keep the cords far away from the pool. 

Porches are great for enjoying nature, spending time with pets, and grilling when the weather heats up. However, they're also infamous for collecting detritus. For instance, fallen leaves can pile up on your porch, get wet, and rot. In the winter, snow can fall on your wooden planks, get packed down over time, and turn into slippery ice. In the spring, thick pollen coats chair cushions. To resolve these issues, simply hook up the shop vac's hose to the outlet port and blow away any leaves, pollen, and snow. Remember to blow, rather than suck up the snow; collecting snow in your shop vac's tank isn't efficient.

A clogged drain can be one of the most frustrating parts about owning a home. Bits of food or clumps of hair cause minor blockages that build up over time, making it hard to wash dishes or take a shower. Ultimately, a problem like this can lead to overflows or even leaks. Some people use wire coat hangers or plungers to address this problem, but if that doesn't work, you can try using your shop vac. First, remove your vacuum filter, and then insert the nozzle into the sink and turn on the machine. It's fine if the sink is full of water. Let the machine run for as long as it takes to suck up whatever is clogging your drain. This is just one of many genius tips for unclogging a sink.

Clear gutters are important for routing water away from your home. When your gutters fill with dead leaves, they can become heavy and break away. They can also flood and cause your roof to rot. It's usually not practical to clean out gutters with the assistance of a shop vac, unless your roof is flat enough to safely stand on. Remove the filter, connect your shop vac to an extension cord, and take it to the top of the roof. You can either blow air into the gutters to clear them or suck clumps out of your gutters. Other tips for keeping your gutters unclogged and clear of falling leaves include installing gutter guards and keeping bird nests out of your gutter.

If you're planning to till land for a garden, the goal is to cultivate rich, smooth soil. But tiny rocks can chip your tiller blades or make it harder to dig a vegetable patch or flower bed by hand. Instead of painstakingly removing the rocks one by one, you can use your shop vac. Simply connect it to an extension cord, move it to the spot where you want to dig, attach a wet nozzle to your hose, and suck up those rocks or bits of shell from a long-ago driveway. Keep in mind that while rocks shouldn't be in the way of plant growth, rocks and gravel can be repurposed as a perfect choice for your yard's drainage.

All over your yard, there are plenty of fertilizer sources you might not even have thought of. These include the grass clippings on your driveway, the leaves in your gutter, and even the ashes in your grill. Before you suck up ash, just make sure it has cooled completely. You'll also need a shop vac that is designed to suck up ash. For instance, the PowerSmith Ash/Shop Vacuum sells for about $80 at Home Depot. This ash will feed your plants calcium and potassium. But don't add wood ash to your soil if the pH is 6½ or higher because the ash will raise the pH beyond a habitable level for your plants.