PPE for car vacuuming - do you wear a mask?

Hey all, quick question. I've been using my new shop vac to clean out my car, and I noticed I'm sneezing and coughing afterwards. I finally realized I'm probably breathing in all that dust and junk from the carpets. Do you guys wear any PPE when vacuuming your cars? I'm thinking about getting a dust mask, but wasn't sure if it's overkill.

Not overkill at all, Sarah. I learned that the hard way. Used to vacuum out my truck after hauling drywall dust and didn't wear anything. Ended up with a nasty cough for a week. Now I always throw on a N95 mask, and if it's really dusty, safety glasses too. That stuff gets everywhere. Better safe than sorry.

I second the N95. Also, consider a mask with a valve if you're doing a long session – helps with breathing. And don't forget to clean the vacuum filter regularly. A clogged filter just blows dust right back out. I'm guilty of that more times than I'd like to admit. But yeah, PPE is a must, especially if you have allergies or asthma.

I used to skip the mask, but my wife made me start wearing one after seeing me sneeze like crazy. She's a nurse, so she knows. Now I've got a simple cloth mask I keep in the garage. It's not as good as a N95, but better than nothing. Plus, I try to vacuum with the car door open and maybe park in the driveway for better airflow. Just common sense stuff.

Thanks guys! I'll definitely grab some N95s. And good tip about the filter – I didn't think about that. I'll check it before next time. This forum is awesome, always looking out for each other. Stay safe out there!