How to clean thick, stinky gunk from a wet/dry shop vac

Jan29252771
by Jan29252771

How to clean thick, stinky gunk from a wet/dry shop vac


  5 answers
  • Ann Cherkas Halstead Ann Cherkas Halstead on Oct 23, 2017

    Spray the hose and vac with a good degreaser and let sit. Then flush it out with the garden hose

  • Ed Cannon Ed Cannon on Oct 23, 2017

    First of all, don't allow it to be put up wet. I would use Pine Soil, it will help clean and get rid of odor. It may be necessary to do this more than once.You will have to scrub real good. I would allow it to be in the sun after it is cleaned to help kill the odors.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Oct 23, 2017

    Rinse it a final time with vinegar and let it dry in the sun to get rid of the odor and all the bugs that may have been growing in the gunk that has been sitting, You could have a good buildup of bacteria or mold and mildew growing in there.

  • 27524803 27524803 on Oct 23, 2017

    Most wet/dry shop vacuums come with a separate filter for wet use... remove the filter (and the dry filter) wash the wet filter in hot soapy water with some white vinegar... rinse well and let dry. The dry filter will have to be replaced.

    Remove the motor part from the bucket part. Unplug the motor part from the power outlet (duh !) Spray the area on the motor housing that supports the wet filter (usually hangs below the motor itself) with Simple Green or other household cleaner AVOID spraying the motor itself. let the cleaner sit, scrub with a brush, like an old tooth brush or dish brush, rinse well being careful not to get the motor itself wet and let dry completely. Do the same thing with the bucket or fill it with Dawn dish soap and HOT tap water... let sit, brush, rinse well and dry... Be sure the components are VERY dry before you install a new dry filter and use the machine.

    • See 1 previous
    • 27524803 27524803 on Oct 24, 2017

      Great... I am glad you found a solution

  • Christa Rohdy Christa Rohdy on Oct 24, 2017

    I use vacuum bags (they make some just for shop vacs) in mine when I'm doing dry vaccuuming. if I'm using it for liquids, I clean it out as soon as I'm done, and leave the top off so the bucket part air dries.