Safety First! What PPE do you use with car vacuums?

Hey folks, just wanted to share a quick safety tip after seeing a friend get a nasty eye injury. When using those powerful car vacuums for DIY cleaning (especially the wet/dry ones), ALWAYS wear safety glasses! Debris can fly up unexpectedly, and those motors create serious suction. I also recommend a dust mask if you're dealing with fine particles or mold. What's everyone else using for protection?

Great point Sarah! I'd add hearing protection too - some of those shop vacs get seriously loud during extended use. I keep a pair of earmuffs in my cleaning kit. Also, gloves are a must if you're handling dirty filters or sharp debris. Almost sliced my hand open on a piece of broken plastic last month. Stay safe out there!

Newbie question: Do I really need all that gear for just vacuuming my sedan? I've been using my dad's old shop vac without anything except maybe closing my eyes when it kicks up dust lol. Is this overkill or actually necessary?

Felix, trust me - it's necessary! Eyes and lungs don't grow back. At minimum grab some cheap safety glasses from the hardware store ($5-10). Better to look slightly silly than end up in urgent care. Start with glasses and a basic mask, then add more as you take on bigger jobs.

What Sarah said ^. Also check if your dad's vac has a HEPA filter - if not, you're definitely breathing in fine particles. Pro tip: do your vacuuming before any detailed interior work so you're not stirring up dust right before leaning in close. Stay safe and keep asking questions!