Your vacuum wasn't made to clean every mess. In fact, if it could talk, these are some of the things it would object to cleaning, according to the engineers at Riccar Vacuums.

1. Liquid

Don't suck up anything liquid or combustible, or run your vacuum where there's moisture or water on the floor. Riccar vacuums are not made for wet pickups - liquid will rust the bearings of the motor and brush roll, causing these components to make loud noises at best. They'll coat the air path, bags and filters with water that will turn the dust picked up in to mud that dries and coats the inside of the vacuum. This will eventually mildew and smell. Limit your liquid to a frosty mug post-vacuuming instead. 

2. Pine needles

Long, sticky needles smell fantastic in a vacuum cleaner bag. However, they tend to get clogged in the hose. Cleaning sticky and prickly clogs can be tricky, so if you vacuum a lot of pine needles, try just using the wand to reduce the areas that clog. If the suction seems diminished, unplug the vacuum and change the bag if needed, or locate and clear the clog.

3. Fireplace ashes

Fireplace ash, cigarettes and matches can stay hot for a very long time. More than a few people have vacuumed fireplace ashes, only to find their vacuum on fire or the dust compartment melted. Use extreme caution when cleaning ashes. They should be completely cooled.

4. Fine dust, Sandpaper dust, and Drywall dust

Take me out to the ballgame, but don't bring home that baseball diamond dust. Fine dust clogs filters quickly and a completely blocked filter cuts off airflow and chokes the vacuum motor. This can lead to an expensive repair. If you live in an environment with much fine dust, check and change your vacuum bag and filters frequently. 

5. Needles, pins, razor blades, glass

Sharp objects can puncture the vacuum bag or cut you when you remove the bag. Be sure to look before you vacuum. Whether it's toys, money, straight pins or nails, it's important to pick up sharp or metallic objects instead of vacuuming them. 

It's important to remember that vacuums, along with almost everything else in life, are not maintenance free. They're machines that need TLC, sometimes more than others. Life is messy! But taking care of your vacuum will help it take care of you when you need it most. Your vacuum will live longer, work better and help you make the most of your money and flooring investment.