Most vacuums come with various hoses, scrubbers, and attachments to help you get into tight spots or clean delicate surfaces. However, sometimes even the sleekest and most angled attachment heads can’t reach certain areas. Because these vacuum accessories are typically made of rigid plastic, they lack the flexibility to get into every nook and cranny.
If you’ve got specific spots you just can’t seem to clean with a crevice tool — perhaps sliding glass door tracks or under the refrigerator — give this simple hack a try. You likely already have what you need in your recycling bin right now.
An Unexpected Vacuum Attachment
The smaller the opening, the more suction you’re going to get out of your vacuum cleaner attachment. Hard-to-reach areas in your home or car may require narrow precision to remove all the dirt. In these instances, simply reach for a toilet paper or paper towel roll.
The little cardboard tube you typically toss in the bin can be repurposed to deep clean tight spaces, such as window tracks, car consoles, baseboards, crown molding, and even between grooves or notches in hardwood flooring.
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To use this cleaning hack, first remove any attachments from your vacuum hose. (If you need a bit more reach, however, keep the crevice tool on.) Then, slide one end of the toilet paper or paper towel roll right over the hose. If it doesn’t fit securely, add a couple of rubber bands or tape. Fold or bend the other end of the roll to fit the shape of the space you need to clean. All that’s left is to power on your vacuum and use your new DIY custom attachment to pick up stubborn dirt, hair, and debris.
This hack is also a great way to vacuum delicate surfaces, such as painted areas; the cardboard is much softer and less abrasive than plastic attachments. So, start saving those toilet paper and paper towel rolls — they’re your secret weapon for keeping those hard-to-reach areas spotless.
