Wet/dry vacuum cleaner

Jungheinrich PROFISHOP’s wet/dry vacuums are engineered for effective cleaning across commercial, industrial and residential premises. Read our buying guide to find the wet/dry vacuum cleaner best suited to your requirements.

1. What is a wet/dry vacuum and how does it work?

In principle, wet/dry vacuums function like conventional industrial vacuum cleaners or household vacuum cleaners, by suctioning dirt and dust into the device’s collection container. However, wet/dry vacuum cleaners offer extra versatility, as they can remove both wet and dry dirt and liquids, and can even do so simultaneously. Their unique collection process makes this possible: the motor fan creates a vacuum which draws air and contaminants through the filter cartridge and into the collection container. Depending on the model, professional vacuum cleaners (also known as cannister vacuum cleaners) may come equipped with or without a separator:

• without separator: dust and liquid are both collected and stored in the collection container and are bound together by centrifugal force.
• with separator: the device utilises centrifugal force to separate liquids from dirt particles and store them separately.

The key advantages of professional wet/dry vacuums :

• Versatile use: Industrial wet/dry vacuum cleaners collect both wet and dry dirt and are suitable for domestic and commercial use.
• Powerful suction: These devices deliver high suction power and feature a wide suction tube designed for the effective removal of coarse dirt.
• Large collection container: Our professional vacuums can hold up to 90 litres of dirt.
• Suitable for those with allergies: Dust particles are securely bound together inside the container and not released back into the surrounding environment.
• Designed for multi-surface use: Industrial wet/dry vacuums are suitable for carpets, parquet, laminate, stone floors, tiles and even upholstery.

We stock a large selection of wet/dry vacuum cleaners in the Jungheinrich PROFISHOP from brands like Steinbock and Nilfisk, engineered for both private and professional use.

2. Wet/dry vacuums for private households

Industrial vacuum cleaners are powerful pieces of equipment primarily designed for professional use in the commercial sector. However, they can be used just as effectively for many cleaning tasks in the home, in private workshops, gardens, and in other outdoor areas.

3. Which wet/dry vacuum is right for you?

You will find many different wet/dry vacuum cleaner types in our online store. Use the following selection criteria and list of questions to determine which model best meets your exact requirements:

• Suction power and dust class: Do you need the vacuum cleaner for private or commercial use?
• Floor nozzles and attachments: What kinds of surfaces will you be vacuuming?
• Performance and range of functions: How often will you need to use the vacuum cleaner: occasionally or intensively?
• Length of cable and suction tube: How large are the areas you want to clean and will a model with a particularly long cable or suction tube be required?
• Container size: How much dirt will the vacuum need to clean?
• Model weight: Will you need to transport the vacuum cleaner by car or carry it up flights of stairs?
• Noise level: Does the device need to be suitable for noise-sensitive areas?

Wet/dry vacuums with the right suction power

A wet/dry vacuum's performance is not exclusively determined by wattage (W), regardless of whether it’s intended for commercial or private use. The strength of the vacuum, air flow volume and tube diameter all contribute to the vacuum’s suction power:

• Vacuum strength:This is usually measured in millibars (mbar) or millimetres of water column (mmH2O) and indicates the suction power generated within the device. The stronger the vacuum created, the greater this number.
• Air flow volume: This determines how much debris moves through the system into the collection container and is specified in litres per second (l/s) or cubic meters per hour (m³/h). The greater the air flow, the more dirt and dust particles can be transported through the tube and into the collection container.
• Tube diameter: The hose diameter directly influences the speed of the incoming air and determines the quantity and size of the dust and dirt particles that can be collected. The larger the diameter, the higher the speed at which the air can flow through the tube and the more debris can be collected at once.

Choosing wet/dry vacuum with the right dust class

Wet/dry vacuum cleaners are versatile cleaning tools that can be used for vacuuming wet and dry dirt particles. While most of these dirt and dust particles are harmless, some can pose health risks depending on their type and nature. More information about dust classes and the safe use of vacuum cleaners is defined in BS EN 50281-2-1:1999 and EU regulation 665/2013. These classify types of dust and can provide further information on the safe use of vacuum cleaners in the presence of combustible dust.

4. Wet/dry vacuums with dust removal function

Industrial vacuum cleaners are highly practical for cleaning workshops and craft studios. The wet/dry vacuums can be fitted with a dust removal feature via the universal suction tube connection, making it ideal for vacuuming dust in places where grinding or drilling machines and saws are in operation. Depending on the model, our professional wet/dry vacuums feature integrated power sockets that allow you to connect your electric power tool to the device. The vacuum automatically starts when you turn on your power tool, enabling you to clean as you work.

5. Wet/dry vacuums with additional filter bags

An industrial wet/dry vacuum with an additional filter bag is ideal if you frequently need to clean up very fine dry dust particles. The vacuum is equipped with a removable paper or fleece filter for dry operation, supporting the main filter by collecting fine dust particles separately. Once you remove this filter bag from the vacuum, you can use the unit for wet/dry dirt collection as usual.

6. Wet/dry vacuums with a separator

Wet/dry vacuum cleaners fitted with a separator collect and store mixed wet and dry dirt separately in two collection containers. The separator inside the device swirls the suction air flow to generate centrifugal forces that separate the solid components from the liquid ones. This also prevents any contaminated air from escaping the vacuum cleaner exhaust. The filters are protected, meaning they stay clean for longer and allowing the suction power to remain at a consistently high speed over a long period of use.

7. Wet/dry vacuums without a separator

Wet/dry vacuum cleaners without separators bind smaller dirt and dust particles by causing movement on the water’s surface in the collection container. Additional filters ensure that fine dust particles do not get carried back into the exhaust of the suction unit. With regular maintenance and cleaning, the complex filter system inside these vacuum cleaners will consistently trap fine to medium-sized dirt particles while delivering reliable, high-performance cleaning results.

8. Wet/dry vacuums with a drain valve or pump

Our professional wet vacuum cleaners featuring a drain valve can suction up dirty water in a very short time, even in hard-to-reach areas. The drain screw allows the tank contents to be easily emptied once full. The Jungheinrich PROFISHOP also stocks wet/dry vacuums equipped with overflow protection and an automatic shut-off feature that switches the vacuum off as soon as the dirt trap is full.

The consistent suction process is useful if you ever need to drain a basement or storage room or remove water from a burst pipe. This is where our special wet/dry vacuum cleaners with integrated pumps are especially useful. These professional units enable you to simultaneously suction up and pump out enormous quantities of dirty water.

9. FAQ for wet/dry vacuums