Vacuum Like a Pro: Tips to Find the Best Vacuum for Your Ride and More

Lisa Conant, Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Reviewed by

Lisa Conant, Automotive Content Specialist

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on October 25th, 2024

Reading Time: 5 minutes
Summary
  • When shopping for a car vacuum, consider the same factors you normally would when buying an important replacement part. This will ensure that you’ll get a vacuum that will last long.
  • Budget, configuration, weight, and filter type are factors to consider when in the market for a car vacuum.
  • Most vacuums come with an assortment of brushes that can help you remove as much dirt as you can. Don’t be afraid to use them.

Car maintenance is expensive enough as it is. With all the oil changes and part replacements, the bills are sure to pile up. Throw in a couple of car washes now and then, and you’ll notice that a few dollars can easily balloon to a hefty amount.

If you’re one of the many drivers who are looking to cut costs while taking care of their car, you might want to do some tasks in your own garage一like vacuuming.

Vacuuming is a standard procedure when getting a car wash, but you can do it on your own if you want to save a few bucks.

Car Vacuum Buying Guide: Things to Consider

When shopping for a car vacuum, consider the same factors you normally would when buying an important replacement part. This will ensure that you’ll get a vacuum that will last long.

Vacuuming is a standard procedure when getting a car wash, but you can do it on your own if you want to save a few bucks.

Budget

First things first一how much will you be willing to spend on a car vacuum?

Your budget will most likely dictate the quality of the vacuum you’ll get. There are vacuums at a low price point that can get the basic cleaning job done, but those with more power and capabilities are more likely to cost more than a hundred dollars.

When allocating your funds for buying a vacuum, it’s also important to assess your needs. Are you someone who rarely eats in their car or someone who frequently goes on road trips and hikes? The vacuum you get must be able to deal with these needs.

Suction Power

Simple activities that are done in the car might call for a simple vacuum, but tasks and activities that frequently get your carpets muddy and dirty might require something a bit more extreme.

Heavy-duty messes call for a vacuum with strong suction power, which you can confirm via the watts or amps. The higher the watts or amps, the stronger the vacuum’s suction will be.

In some vacuum cleaners, the motor power determines the suction power as well. A small motor might only produce minimal suctioning power, while a big one can create stronger suction.

Some vacuums also have adjustable suction power, which you can modify depending on what you’re trying to clean.

Filtering Capacity

A vacuum cleaner must be efficient in getting rid of even the smallest dust particles in your car. But to make this happen, your vacuum should have a high-quality filter.

Choose a vacuum cleaner that comes with a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter. Aside from keeping your floors and seats clean, it also does the same thing with the air you breathe inside the cabin.

Size and Weight

Size and weight are two additional factors you need to consider when shopping for a car vacuum. If you’re planning to carry a vacuum that’s small enough to fit in your trunk, keep in mind that the size can affect the motor power.

Meanwhile, a big vacuum might be more capable of dealing with large-scale messes, but it can add more weight to your vehicle as well. A big vacuum might be more suitable to sit in the garage than in your trunk or truck bed.

Configuration

The last thing you need to consider when buying a vacuum is the configuration.

While shopping, you might come across cord-type and cordless vacuums. While cordless vacuums offer more convenience in cleaning awkward spaces, they’ll only run for a limited time and you’ll need to charge the battery frequently.

Meanwhile, a cord-type vacuum will provide you with a stable power source that won’t compromise motor and suction power. The only downside to this type is that it has a limited range.

Another configuration you might want to consider is whether or not the vacuum you’re getting has a wet and dry feature. A vacuum that comes with a wet and dry feature lets you perform a deep clean on your car seats and carpets.

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How to Vacuum Like a Professional Detailer

It might take some effort to make your vehicle look like it came out of a detailing shop, but it’s certainly achievable with a high-quality vacuum. Here are a couple of vacuuming tips you might want to keep in mind.

Pick Up What You Can

Before turning the vacuum on, start by picking up all the loose items in your car that could hinder the vacuum from picking up the small bits of dirt.

Pick up empty cans and bottles, receipts, and wrappers. Then, chuck them in the garbage can.

Put Those Brushes to Good Use

Most vacuums come with an assortment of brushes that can help you remove as much dirt as you can. Don’t be afraid to use them.

Hard bristle attachments are perfect for cleaning carpets and floors, but using them on leather can result in scratches. Use a soft brush when cleaning the seats to avoid damaging the fabric.

Work Your Way from the Center Toward the Edges

Working your way from the center towards the edges helps you remove as much dirt as you can. It also prevents the first from piling up in the middle.

Don’t Forget the Crevices

Don’t forget to move the seats when vacuuming your car. Dirt and trash could have piled up underneath the seats, so make sure to adjust them accordingly.

Most car vacuum kits typically come with a crevice tool to help you reach tricky spaces with ease.

Replace Filters as Needed

The efficiency of your vacuum is only as good as its filter. Always clean your vacuum bin and filter. Similar to an air or oil filter, your vacuum’s filter won’t be able to trap small particles when it’s clogged.

Wrapping Up

The procedure for choosing the right vacuum for your vehicle should be the same as when you’re shopping for a replacement auto part一meticulously.

Factors like your budget, vacuum weight, configuration, and filtering capacity are some of the most important things to consider when buying a vacuum.

It also pays to take care of your vacuum to ensure that it can do an effective job of removing dirt from your vehicle as well as keeping the air clean in your cabin.

How to Get a Quality Car Vacuum and Other Interior Cleaning Supplies

Considering how much time you spend in your vehicle, keeping it nice and clean makes a lot of sense. A messy vehicle interior is sure to stress you out over time. Thankfully, whether you need a new car vacuum or other car interior cleaning supplies, CarParts.com has your back.

CarParts.com aims to make purchasing your car supplies online as easy and convenient as possible. We have a dedicated and helpful customer service team available around the clock to assist you. If you need help picking out the right car cleaning supplies, feel free to reach out. They’re always happy to assist. Our team is also familiar with all the deals and guarantees that we offer, so if you want to know about these, just ask.

Don’t let all that dust in your car gather for too long. Buy a brand new car vacuum and other interior cleaning supplies from CarParts.com now.

Reviewed By Lisa Conant

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

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