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You vacuum might be the most versatile tool in your cleaning arsenal, but not everything can get sucked up without causing damage. Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliance and Cleaning Products department reminds us of a few items you'll need to clean up another way. 1. Large pieces of glass Big pieces of broken glass are dangerous for your vacuum. They could puncture the bag, get lodged in the hose, or scratch up the interior, so use a broom instead. 2. Fine dust If you've recently remodeled, don't vacuum up sanding residue or other tiny particles — you'll need to use a more durable machine (like a shop vac) instead. "Fine dust will clog the filters or bag right away," says Forte, and then the machine might begin spewing dust back into the air. 3. Wet food (or anything moist) Your average vacuum cleaner is not meant to pick up anything wet — be it soggy cereal, wet dog food, or even a spill. Use a paper towel instead (or get a wet/dry vacuum for big jobs). 4. Fireplace Ashes These ashes trap heat (and are also fine particles) so don't suck them up in a normal vacuum. Let the ashes cool for at least four days, then use a utility or a wet/dry vacuum to clean out the area. 5. Coins, paperclips, or other small items It's tempting to simply roll over these with a vacuum when you see them lying on the floor, but they could get stuck in the rotating brush or break off plastic pieces inside the appliance. So what can you pick up with a vacuum? Hair It's fine to do a weekly sweep of your pup's favorite spot on the couch, but make sure that hair isn't getting tangled up in the brush roll. Gravel While larger rocks aren't good for your appliance, small pieces of gravel can be picked up through the hose attachment. Dry cereal Snack foods — like cereal, chips, or other crumbs — are easy to go over with your vacuum cleaner.

Modern vacuum cleaners are simple machines. They consist of a fan that draws air through a tube, and a filter and container to hold the dirt that has been sucked up. Some more elaborate machines have rotating brushes to help scoop up the dirt from the carpeting, but the concept remains the same no matter the style of machine. Even a simple machine like a vacuum can be broken with some concentrated effort on your part. Keep the basic design of the machine in mind and you can break just about every part of your vacuum with very little effort. Ignore your vacuum cleaner bag when it starts to get full. Bags can be an unneeded expense on your budget. Let the bag get overfull until it splits or starts to fray at the corners. The resulting dust and dirt that leaks out will clog the fan or hoses, decreasing the suction power of your machine and eventually clogging it up until it stops. Pay no attention when your vacuum starts to lose power and doesn't suck up as much dirt. When suction power goes down, it usually means that there is something caught in a hose or attachment. Don't test your hose by trying to suck up a quarter to make sure the passage is clear, and don't use a straightened hanger to probe into the hose, perhaps removing a large hairball or sock. Let the clog stay, and eventually the motor will burn out. Do not change your vacuum cleaner belt, especially when you hear a whining noise or you smell burning rubber. Both of these signs are indications that the belt needs to be changed right away. Be frugal again by not buying a belt every time something goes wrong with the old one. Make it last as long as possible. The vacuum motor may have extra stress put on it by this development, causing it to wear out even faster. Yank the plug from the electrical outlet by pulling on the cord near the vacuum, especially at an angle. This can be a good way to fray wires where they connect to the plug, and you may even bend the plug prongs, possibly breaking them eventually. Don't bend over and pull the plug from the socket by hand as this will only prolong the life of your vacuum.