Whatever type of vehicle you drive, keeping it clean can be tricky. From air vents to seat crevices, there are plenty of places for dirt and debris to hide. Whether it’s mud on the floormats or backseat soda spills, your average community car wash vacuum just doesn’t cut it. When you want to restore some of that new car clean feeling, you need the power of the world’s best wet/dry vacs.

Finding the right vac for all your car cleaning needs starts with asking yourself a few key questions:

Do I really need a wet/dry vac for my car?

Well, that depends. Are you comfortable driving around in an enclosed space with all those hidden odors and grimy residues lurking right under your nose?

Rain, snow, slush, mud, soda, coffee … chances are, your vehicle has seen it all. Maybe more. From carpets to upholstery, all those soft surfaces in your car can absorb moisture like a sponge. But even after they’ve dried, they don’t just disappear. They linger and, if left unchecked, they only get worse.

Do you really want all those spills and wet messes hitching a ride with you wherever you go? Traditional vacuums are designed to handle dust and light debris. But the right wet/dry vac can make even the toughest liquid cleanup a breeze, no matter what kind of car you drive.

What size wet/dry vac is best for car cleanups?

There are a lot of wet/dry vac options to choose from. At the end of the day, it’s all about selecting the right tool for the job.

If you’re looking for a true road warrior that you can toss in the trunk and have on hand from the freeway to the most remote forest campsite, then the tiny (but mighty) Shop-Vac^® 1-Gallon Micro Vac is the perfect wet/dry vac for every adventure. From the convenient 6-foot cord to the handy gulper nozzle and crevice tool, this is the perfect wet/dry vac for on-the-go car cleanups.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a little bit more power under the hood without losing that handy mobility, the Vac'NVac^® by Shop-Vac^® has what you need. This innovative feat of engineering combines the power of a 14-gallon vac with the convenience of a 2.5-gallon portable vac. Perfect for the garage and the open road. 

What kind of car accessories do I need to make the most of my wet/dry vac?

Once you’ve picked out the right wet/dry vac for you and your car, it’s time to think about the accessories. As you know, there are all kinds of hard-to-reach places in even the most spacious vans and SUVs.

A crevice tool is key for getting that deep-down hidden dirt in between seats and center consoles.

A brush attachment is just the thing for cleaning out dust-clogged air vents and crusty messes on carpets or upholstery.

Looking to get down and dirty in the details? The micro-cleaning kit is the right fit for you.

Wherever life takes you and whatever vehicle gets you there (car, truck, bus, van, SUV, or spaceship*) keeping it clean doesn’t have to be hard. When you’re ready to restore that new-car-clean feeling to your ride, turn to The One & Only Shop-Vac.

*No Shop-Vac products have been tested or approved for use in zero-gravity … yet.