Top 10+ things you shouldn’t vacuum – but probably do anyway

We might want our homes to be pristine, dust-free sanctuaries to come home to at the end of a hard day - but that doesn't mean we're all enthusiastic about getting the housework done. There's a reason why it's called a chore, folks, which means we're all on the lookout for ways to make our lives easier when it comes to being house-proud. And one staple on that front is of course the vacuum cleaner. Whether you favour a Henry or a Roomba, most of us wouldn't be without ours. Yet, despite its usefulness in keeping our carpets and floors gleaming, there are still some things you should never vacuum - at least not if you want to keep your cleaner in working order. Read on to discover the hoovering no-nos...(Picture: Getty Images)

1. Sawdust

If you've been doing a spot of DIY over the weekend, you might be left with sawdust to clean up. But whatever you do, don't try and vacuum it up. Sawdust contains a lot of very fine particles which could potentially clog up the filters of your cleaner, which could in turn reduce the suction power of the vacuum and even damage the motor. Instead, dampen down the leftover sawdust before sweeping it up with a dustpan and brush - or, if you do a lot of DIY or woodwork related activities, consider investing in a wet/dry vacuum that's better equipped to deal with such things (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Soil and leaves

Had a faux pas with a fern? Come a cropper with a cactus? If you keep plants in your home it can easily happen - but if you happen to drop a plant on the floor or the cat knocks some of your precious potted greenery over don't be tempted to vacuum up the remains. Rather than pick up all that debris the force from your cleaner can actually have the opposite effect,pushing the dirt deeper into your carpet - which could leave a permanent stain. And there's also a risk it could clog up your vacuum - especially if you recently watered the plant and the soil is still moist. Clearing up with a dustpan and brush is a better bet here (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Make-up

Speaking of dropped things, make-up's another item which can cause quite a mess when it's dropped, not to mention frustration if it's your favourite eyeshadow pallet or blusher which gets ruined. Don't be tempted to vacuum it up though because this falls into the category of things which have very fine particles that can damage your vacuum. Other make-up items such as lipstick or eyeliner could even melt, sticking to the walls of the vacuum and potentially wrecking it further - and if your cosmetics are highly pigmented it could even stain your device. Stain remover, a washing-up liquid/water solution or even a spot of white vinegar will all do a far better job (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Water and liquids

Spilled a glass of water? Knocked your wine all over the carpet? Either way getting the hoover out to deal with a pesky puddle is a big no-no. Not only could you risk blocking up the filter with the liquid, but it's worth noting that if you vacuum up water or another wet substance, it'll make everything already in the cleaner wet too - meaning you run the risk of mould developing inside your vacuum. And don't get us started on the fact that electrical appliances and liquids don't mix. Leave the vacuum off for this one, and tackle the spill with some kitchen paper, a towel or a mop instead (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

5. Coffee grounds

If you like your coffee freshly ground, there's always the risk that some of that powder could end up on the floor from time to time - but that doesn't mean you should be using the vacuum to tidy it all up. Wet coffee grounds, for example, can clog up your cleaner and - as with liquids - potentially cause mould and mildew to develop inside the machine. Which, in turn, could damage the motor (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Glitter and sticky stuff

Whether you have kids, you're partial to a spot of arts and crafts, or you've thrown a celebration party at your place, there's any number of reasons why your carpet might end up caked in glitter. And it might be all too tempting to vacuum up the lot. Except don't even think about it. Glitter - and other sticky stuff such as glue - will jam up the motor of your vacuum, or could even melt inside the device and break it. Which is the last thing you want. Clean this up with a damp soapy cloth instead, and leave the vacuum on the sidelines (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Paper clips and other small objects

It might be tempting to pull out the hoover to mop up those office supplies that go astray but we're here to tell you it's not a good idea at all. Small objects such as paper clips might seem pretty harmless, but they could not only get stuck in the brushes of the cleaner, but the sharp edges could damage the internal workings of your machine. Stick to sweeping them up with the dustpan and brush. Or you could, you know, just pick up dropped office supplies by hand (Picture: Getty Images/500px)

8. Broken glass

Just as paper clips and other small office supplies are a definite nope to vacuum up so too is glass - and for pretty similar reasons. If you've dropped a glass on the floor and you want to make sure it's free of every last shard, using the vacuum to do so is a very bad idea idea as those sharp edges could cause some serious damage to your appliance. Don't believe us? How about the possibility they could get caught in the motor, or the hose or - if you have one - the vacuum bag, potentially tearing it? It might seem a convenient way to avoid having bits of broken glass around but trust us, you're far better off sweeping them up (Picture: Getty Images/RooM RF)

9. Wires and cables

Whatever else we have in our homes, you can pretty much guarantee a whole lot of wires, cables and chargers are there too. But whatever you do, don't let them anyway near your vacuum cleaner. Quite aside from the possibility one of them might get sucked up by mistake and cause chaos inside your device, the force and friction from the vacuum could damage the cable. And nobody wants that to happen. Move them out the way before you start cleaning (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

10. Long hair

Finally, if you or anyone in your household has long hair you'll be all too familiar with stray hairs shedding on to the carpet - and of course if you have a pet they can leave hairs all over the place too. But approach this one with caution when it comes to cleaning up because while the odd stray hair probably won't cause much harm, large clumps of it could clog up your device while long strands could wrap themselves around the mechanism meaning, you guessed it, it won't work properly. So sweep those up instead - and keep your vacuum cleaner hairless (Picture: Getty Images)