Household vacuum cleaner for construction dust: which one to choose for apartment renovation

Repairs in an apartment can be different, ranging from a purely cosmetic replacement of wallpaper to a major one, when everything down to the screed and plaster of the walls must be replaced. In any case, no repair can be done without dust. Construction dust is a variety of debris, ranging from a fine suspension of cement mixture to pieces of plaster and finishing materials. The big problem is naturally fine dust. It is difficult to sweep away or wash, and ordinary household vacuum cleaners are not able to contain it, especially since they can fail if there is a large amount of dust. So how can you get rid of dust in your apartment and not drag out the cleaning process for many weeks?

This problem can be solved by several fundamental methods: preventing the spread of dust during repairs and high-quality cleaning of contaminants at all stages of work. There will be a separate discussion for cases when it was still not possible to keep dust within the premises being repaired and it is necessary to remove construction dust from the finishing premises. However, the most important thing is to ensure your protection and safety.

What kind of garbage should not be collected with a construction vacuum cleaner?

Large pieces of debris can damage the inside of the appliance.
A vacuum cleaner is a household appliance for cleaning floors, carpets, walls, furniture and other surfaces. The principle of its operation is to draw in air and pass it through a special container or bag (dust collector). Dirt and debris remain in the latter, after which the container must be cleaned.

However, not all garbage can be collected. A regular vacuum cleaner cannot be used to clean the following items:

Ash and ash: their particles are too small and easily pass through the filters, making cleaning useless;
Scattered cosmetics, especially powder: the reason is the same - excessively small particles;
Shards of glass or mirror, any small objects (coins, pins, needles, scraps of paper): sharp corners will easily scratch the device from the inside and damage the fabric or paper dust collector;
Mercury: This should be disposed of properly and not left in the vacuum cleaner;
Any liquids and perishable foods: water can short-circuit the device, food will quickly begin to deteriorate, which will lead to an unpleasant odor;
Construction waste: on many websites and forums, users write that it is possible to use a household vacuum cleaner when cleaning up construction waste. This is not true: concrete and brick dust are too fine, ordinary filters will not be able to retain it, after which the particles will simply hang in the air or clog the device’s motor. After this, the engine will start to get very hot or the engine will simply seize.

Important! The warranty cards of many vacuum cleaners indicate that damage caused by removing construction waste is not subject to warranty repair.

Check the availability of the necessary attachments

In addition to a standard brush for floors and carpets, modern vacuum cleaners can be equipped with attachments for cleaning upholstered furniture, clothes, or sucking dust from crevices.

It would be great if at least a few of them can be stored directly in the vacuum cleaner body. This way they are unlikely to get lost in the apartment

Expensive vacuum cleaners designed for washing laminate, cork or parquet can be supplemented with attachments with elastic bristles made of natural horsehair. They allow you to carefully clean the most delicate natural coatings.

Washing vacuum cleaners can also be supplemented with attachments for cleaning windows. They won’t be able to cope with dried-on dirt, but they will allow you to clean the glass from dust.

For cat and dog owners, the most useful attachment may be a turbo brush. It perfectly collects pet hair from upholstered furniture and carpets, if the pile of the latter is not longer than 1.5 cm.

The turbo brush can be mechanical or electric.

Mechanical turbo brush

The first moves due to the intake air, and the second has its own drive, which is connected to the vacuum cleaner with a separate wire.

It is not worth purchasing a mechanical turbo brush for a vacuum cleaner with a suction power of less than 350 W. There will be little benefit.

Where can I get it?

Vacuum cleaner THOMAS Quick Stick Ambition with turbo brush, 12,910 rubles →
Vacuum cleaner with three nozzles VITEK VT-8110 SR, 6,690 rubles →
Vacuum cleaner with three attachments Electrolux Ultra Silencer USDELUXE, 27,990 rubles →

Why do you need a construction vacuum cleaner?

Fine dust easily rises into the air.
It is necessary to remove dust not only after the completion of repairs, but also during the repair process. There are many reasons for this:

Dust is a strong allergen; it causes irritation to the lungs and respiratory tract, mucous membranes and skin. Even with constant wearing of protective equipment, it is necessary to regularly vacuum the room;
A contaminated surface has a bad effect on tools: a sharp surface becomes dull faster, grinding attachments become clogged;
The abundance of dust, sawdust and dirt does not allow you to clearly see the surface, which reduces the quality of work.

When carrying out work, it is necessary to use a special household (construction, industrial) vacuum cleaner. It is more powerful and larger than a regular household one, and is capable of collecting both large debris (for example, stones and wood chips) and fine dust that ordinary appliances miss.

Important! Buying an expensive construction vacuum cleaner for a small repair is quite ruinous. Many companies offer similar equipment for rent.

When is it possible

Of course, you can use a regular vacuum cleaner to remove dust, but you shouldn’t get too excited. Yes, nothing will happen to the device the first time. Just for safety, you need to wash every part of the vacuum cleaner immediately after cleaning. High quality, not sparing water. These actions determine whether it will work or not.

Vacuum cleaners have different filtration methods, and barriers need to be highlighted separately. Each of these parts must be washed. Preferably within the first 2-5 minutes after completion, until the dust has finally settled. To make things easier, below are some tips to reduce the risk of harm to your vacuum cleaner.

First, the mesh parts need to be washed using an unnecessary toothbrush. Even old ones will do. Do not use any means. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly under normal water. Proceed in a similar manner with the remaining spare parts.

Secondly, in order not to break the electrical parts of the vacuum cleaner, you need to dry all previously washed parts. It is better not to use a hairdryer or anything else. Maximum - paper towels. They will quickly absorb excess moisture. That’s it, now the vacuum cleaner can be safely used for regular house cleaning.

How to choose a vacuum cleaner for cleaning construction dust

A construction vacuum cleaner is much more powerful and durable than a household one.
When choosing a home vacuum cleaner, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:

Working conditions. On any model you can find a letter related to this item: L (low degree of danger: collects most of the wastes common during work), M (medium degree: collects concrete and wood dust, waste from working with manganese, copper, nickel), H (high degree: collects toxic chemicals, asbestos residues, lead, waste with a high concentration of fungi, mold, bacteria), ATEX (designed for fire hazardous and flammable waste).

The higher the hazard class, the more thorough the air purification must be and the more serious the air filtration system.

Cleaning options. As filters, aqua filters can be used (the most effective and expensive: dust settles in the water), cyclones (they remove large debris well, but do not cope well with small crumbs) and fine filters (they easily cope with dust). Combinations of these may be used.
Performance. Typically, devices with a power of 1400 W and a suction power of 200 W are sufficient for cleaning.
Dust container volume. If the work is done in a small workshop, you can choose containers with a volume of 15-50 liters; if there is a lot of space, it is better to purchase a model with a dust collector of 50-100 liters. For comparison, a capacity of less than 15 liters is usually enough for one-time cleaning after a short period of work, as well as for everyday cleaning of the floor.
Degree of vacuum. When working with small particles, it is necessary to choose models with a pressure difference of 120 mBar. If you plan to clean larger objects, you should choose vacuum cleaners with 250 mBar, otherwise you won’t be able to suck them up.
Additional features (set of nozzles, dust bin full indicator, power control, blowing). The more additional features included in the package, the more expensive the vacuum cleaner, and they are not always useful. It is worth deciding in advance whether they are needed.

Check the suction power

It is this indicator that characterizes the force with which the vacuum cleaner will draw in dust and your curtains. If there are a lot of carpets or other fabric coverings in the apartment, then the vacuum cleaner should be appropriate.

All cordless vacuum cleaners can be classified as low-power. Manual models and robots suck the worst. Their power usually starts from 10 W and reaches 50 W.

A handheld vacuum cleaner can remove sand, spilled grains or other food products.

Vertical and hybrid vacuum cleaners have a slightly wider range: from 20 to 150 W. In rare cases - 200 W, but such models cost from 40,000 rubles.

A power of 100–150 W will be quite enough to keep an apartment with bare floors clean.

Even the most affordable standard vacuum cleaners have an average suction power of 250–280 watts. If the apartment has animals and carpets, then it is better to consider models from 350 W. These will allow you to get rid of not only dust and debris, but also the hair of your pets.

The device body may indicate not the suction power, but the power consumption, which is always several times higher. This is a marketing ploy, don't be fooled.

The maximum power of some standard vacuum cleaners reaches 750 W. Such devices will cope perfectly with long carpet pile.

It is also important to note that as the dust container fills up, the suction power will decrease. This applies to all vacuum cleaners, except models with aqua filters. The degree of contamination of the water in the tank does not affect the suction power in any way. This is an undeniable plus.

The best models of construction vacuum cleaners

The Russian "SOYUZ" is an excellent inexpensive vacuum cleaner for apartment renovation.
How to choose a construction vacuum cleaner for renovation? Choosing the best model from a wide variety is difficult, since each type has its own characteristics and purposes. Below is a small rating of popular models among buyers:

“SOYUZ PSS-7320”: has an excellent combination of quality and low price: it can perform dry and wet cleaning. It has a spacious tank (20 liters), light weight (7.5 kg) and a reasonable price (average price tag - 5 thousand rubles).* Maneuvers well thanks to 4 wheels, an additional socket is installed on the body, and the kit includes a nozzle for cleaning hard-to-reach places;
Bosch GAS 20LSFC: designed for dry and wet cleaning. Its main difference is its high wear resistance: even with daily use, the model lasts for many years. It has a robust body and wheels, a semi-automatic filter cleaning system to save time, an socket for additional connection and a tank full indicator. Holds up to 15 liters of dirt, while the weight of the device itself is 6 kg. Average price - 15-17 thousand rubles;*
Karcher WD 3 Premium: according to reviews, one of the most reliable options. It is efficient, durable and beautiful, has a dust container of 17 liters, weighs less than 6 kg and has a blowing function (it is convenient for it to remove leaves). It can perform both dry and wet cleaning. The dust container is equipped with a special convenient lock that allows you to quickly remove and insert the container. Average cost - 7-8 thousand;*
Elitech PS 1260A: features a 60-liter dust collector, high quality materials and workmanship, strong latches and a durable body. The main difference between the vacuum cleaner is its configuration: a long 3-meter hose, a 5-meter cable, several brushes for different types of cleaning, several garbage bags. It is important to remember that the size of the vacuum cleaner is considerable: buyers note that sometimes it does not fit into the car. Average price - 10-11 thousand;*
Makita VC2512L: Highly efficient vacuum cleaner made of stainless steel. What makes it different is good maneuverability (thanks to the long cord and strong wheels), spaciousness (inside there is a dust bag and a garbage container - each 25 liters), several attachments included, and a special cleaning system. Average cost - 11-12 thousand.*

Function description

Blowing is a forgotten feature of the vacuum cleaner because its use peaked in the Soviet Union. Unlike modern day-to-day life at the time, it was built into most units. The owners of "Buran", "Whirlwind", "Raketa" and "Typhoon" were convinced of the need and wide range of applications of blast.

Unfortunately, not all models are equipped with this option. The useful “ability” of household appliances is evidenced by the valve on the rear panel. The principle is simple, it remains the same. Remove the dust bag, move the hose from the dust bag valve to the purge hole. The diameter and thread are the same.

Tips for cleaning up trash after renovation

Subsequent cleaning should be especially thorough.
The cleaning itself consists of removing large debris, cleaning floors, washing walls, windows and other surfaces. A few tips will help you deal with this faster:

First of all, you need to remove large debris: pieces of furniture, paint packages, pieces of linoleum or boards. Hazardous waste is disposed of immediately;
Next, you need to remove dried paint, glue, and cement. After this, all surfaces (floor, window sill, corners) are thoroughly vacuumed and washed;
Cleaning the floor takes place in 3 stages: first, it is vacuumed, then washed using the most suitable cleaning products (for example, laminate and plastic are wiped with water and salt and vinegar, parquet is well rubbed with products containing oil or wax), and left to dry. Remaining paint stains are removed with alcohol;
The walls must be wiped with a slightly damp cloth; stains on it must be removed by wiping with a cloth containing White Spirit;
Windows are washed with standard detergents;
At the end, you need to arrange and prepare the furniture: remove the protective film, wipe the surfaces, and remove all stains if necessary.

Important! If necessary, you can call cleaning specialists to carry out all the work.

Repair and construction work always brings a lot of dust and dirt. At the same time, it is not recommended to use ordinary household vacuum cleaners for cleaning: dust easily gets clogged into the motor and disables them. It is best to buy a special construction vacuum cleaner for the home, the filters and “internals” of which can easily handle everything.

*Prices are current as of October 2021.

How a vacuum cleaner is sometimes used when drilling walls

When drilling walls with a hammer drill or drill, a lot of dust is generated, which you want to quickly remove.

And the first thing that comes to mind for many is to use a device called a “vacuum cleaner.”

People take a household vacuum cleaner, remove the nozzle from it, place the tube underneath and hold it suspended, not far from the future hole. After this, turn on the drill and, at the same time, the vacuum cleaner. All dust flying out during the drilling process is immediately sucked into the device - the owners cannot get enough of the cleanliness and order.

If long repair work is ahead, then it makes sense to purchase a special nozzle with a dust-retaining casing.

Buyer's checklist

The most inexpensive and reliable solution would be a standard vacuum cleaner with a cyclone filter. It's quite powerful and easy to clean.
An option for the most squeamish is a vacuum cleaner with disposable paper bags. They almost completely eliminate contact with dust.
Vertical vacuum cleaners and hybrids are suitable only for small apartments where there are no carpets or pets.
If you have carpets in your home, a robot vacuum cleaner cannot completely replace a regular vacuum cleaner. It only maintains cleanliness, delaying full cleaning.
A standard vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter can be called the golden mean in terms of price and quality of cleaning. This device cleans not only the floor, but also the air.
If you have pets, it's worth paying extra for a model with a turbo brush.
For wet cleaning and cleaning thick-pile carpets, horizontal washing vacuum cleaners with a full-fledged water spray system are perfect.
An ideal option for allergy sufferers, families with small children and those simply obsessed with cleanliness would be a washing vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter.

Dust containers

Vacuum cleaner without a bag for collecting dust
If vacuum cleaners are equipped with special containers designed to collect debris and dust, then they are called vacuum cleaners with containers. Such containers are usually made of transparent plastic so that the owner can visually monitor the level of fullness. To collect dust in this case, a cyclonic system is used - it consists in the fact that when air is drawn in, it twists around the filter in a spiral, and the dust in it settles on the walls of the container naturally. The advantage of such containers is that they can be reused many times, and the vacuum cleaner itself of this design is extremely easy to use. It doesn't need to be cleaned after every cleaning - instead, you'll remove dust as it accumulates.

The main disadvantage of such vacuum cleaners is that you will have to come into direct contact with the dust. In addition, they do not retain all the dust, but only 96% of it. Therefore, modern models are equipped with special HEPA filters that trap dust. Therefore, for our work it is better to use such devices with HEPA filters.

What is an industrial vacuum cleaner

There are many places where an industrial vacuum cleaner is used. For example, during the construction of a house during finishing and electrical installation work. The device is intended for collecting industrial and construction waste:

dust, fragments of concrete, brick during repairs;
spilled paint, water, other liquids;
shavings, sawdust in a carpentry workshop.

If the enterprise has an industrial vacuum cleaner, it is easier to comply with labor protection requirements. There is no accumulation of solid waste at the construction site, workshop or workshop. The absence of industrial dust improves the quality and culture of work.

What are its features, how does it differ from household

The design of conventional devices is designed to collect small amounts of household dust - small debris ranging in size from a few microns to several millimeters.

Specialized units cope with large volumes of industrial waste - this is the main difference between a household and construction vacuum cleaner.
Comment! The power regulator reduces energy consumption.
Where industrial, agricultural, construction, woodworking, and finishing work is carried out, dust of various compositions is generated. Depending on the physical and chemical properties, recycled waste is classified into categories:

Organic – wood shavings, sawdust, other plant waste.
Inorganic - metal shavings, dust, small fragments of minerals, cement, concrete.
Mixed - sawdust, metal particles, concrete chips.
Explosive.

All models of industrial vacuum cleaners can be used for dry cleaning of premises; there are modifications with the function of sucking liquids, equipped with a bypass for cooling the motor. Water, chemical liquids, and food waste fall into a special tank.

Conventional models do not stand up to comparison with specialized ones; they cannot collect particles of concrete, brick, stone that are formed when slitting walls. Construction analogues from well-known brands are easy to clean. The rating of industrial vacuum cleaners for wall chasers is opened by models from Makita, followed by products from well-known brands Karcher, Bosch, Starmix, Soteko.