Understanding Vacuum Attachments: Their Functions and How They Can Help You Achieve a Cleaner Home

Your vacuum isn't limited to just cleaning floors or carpets—certain models, like shop vacs, are also capable of cleaning up water, dirt, and larger debris. This multifunctional cleaning tool is perfect for various household chores, so you won’t need an entire collection of cleaning devices (especially if you know how to use your vacuum effectively). In fact, the right accessories can help you tackle tasks like cleaning headboards, mattresses, refrigerator coils, and air vents. They enable you to get more done with less effort. Some of the top vacuum cleaners come with essential attachments (such as extension wands or upholstery tools) to help you reach difficult areas where debris often hides. If you have pets, consider a vacuum designed for pet hair, like the Tineco Pure One S15 Pro, which includes specialized attachments for various tasks. Interestingly, this model also ranks as our top pick for the best cordless vacuum. When comparing Shark vs. Dyson vacuums, the Dyson Humdinger stood out for having the best attachments. In this guide, we explain how each vacuum attachment works and where you can use them.

Along with basic attachments, there are a few additional ones worth purchasing based on your specific cleaning needs. Struggling to clean dust from your ceiling fan without having to climb a ladder? A fan blade duster can make it easy to reach high places safely. If you're finding it hard to maneuver your regular hose attachment around tricky spots like light fixtures or car door compartments, a multi-angle brush could be a great investment. It also works wonders for dusting blinds and crown molding.

With this guide, you’ll be able to clean more effectively using just your vacuum. Below, you'll find a comprehensive overview of different vacuum attachments, along with some expert cleaning tips. For more details on each popular vacuum attachment, keep reading.

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14 Essential Vacuum Attachments You Should Know (and How to Use Them)

Most vacuums include a range of attachments designed for different tasks. We've also highlighted some specialty tools that may not appear necessary at first, but are ideal for unique cleaning jobs.

1. Extension Wand

How it works: This tough plastic extension adds 18 inches to your vacuum’s hose, helping you reach difficult spots like high fan blades, light fixtures, air vents, door frames, or the tops of tall furniture, without needing to climb a ladder or countertop. It helps keep your arms close to your body, minimizing strain and fatigue.

Additional use: If you drop small items like coins or jewelry between your couch cushions, stretch a piece of nylon pantyhose over the opening to vacuum them up without them getting stuck in the machine.

RELATED: Should You Dust or Vacuum First?

2. Upholstery Tool

How it works: This tool, typically 4 to 6 inches wide, channels suction across upholstery fibers. Most versions have red microfiber strips on the edges that help lift lint. You may need to flip the attachment while the vacuum is running to dislodge debris trapped in the strips.

Other uses: Use this tool to give your mattresses and carpeted stairs a quick pass, effectively picking up dust and hair.

3. Crevice Cleaner

How it works: This 8- to 12-inch attachment with an angled tip is designed to reach tight spaces like baseboards, under appliances such as ovens and washers, and other narrow areas. It’s often included with various vacuums, including handheld car vacuums.

Other uses: Use this tool to clean small spots as well. Remove dust from door jambs, dirt from window tracks, cobwebs from corners, crumbs from car seats, and debris stuck in tufted upholstery.

Pro tip: For a more thorough cleaning, run the crevice tool along the edges of the room before vacuuming the rest of the floor.

4. Dusting Brush

How it works: Bristles around the opening of this tool gently scrub surfaces, loosening dust from lamp shades, window treatments, baseboards, and window screens without causing scratches. This attachment is sometimes included with upholstery cleaners.

Other uses: Use it to dust air vents, refrigerator coils, chair and table legs, inset panels of doors and cabinets, and small decorative items such as clocks and bookends.

Add-on Attachments

These attachments may need to be purchased individually from your vacuum’s manufacturer; you can select the ones that best suit your needs.

5. Fan Blade Duster

How it works: Attach this tool to your extension wand to easily reach and clean each fan blade. Begin at the center of the fan and move the duster toward the blade's tip. The broom head sweeps the underside while the microfiber cloth (which is removable and machine washable) wipes the top. Dust is pulled into the vacuum hose through the bristles.

Other uses: Use the same sweeping and suction method to tackle cobwebs in high corners.

6. Floor Sweeper

How it works: This 12-inch-wide floor brush helps you clean wood and tile floors by using overlapping strokes. The combination of the soft, half-inch bristles and your vacuum's suction lifts dirt much more efficiently than using a dustpan and broom.

Other uses: Run this attachment over low-pile rugs to clean them without the worry of the rug fibers being pulled into the machine.

7. Multi-Angle Brush

How it works: This soft-bristled tool features a curved hose and a pivoting head, allowing it to reach into difficult spots like light fixtures, car door compartments, and sliding closet tracks with ease.

Other uses: It can also be used to clean grime off blinds, baseboards, and hard-to-reach crown molding.

8. Power Brush

How it works: This compact, motorized tool features a rotating brush roll that quickly removes dust from carpeted stairs, tackling each step with ease.

Other uses: It’s also perfect for cleaning dust and dirt from smaller, tight spaces such as a powder room floor or a small closet.

9. Mattress Refresher

How it works: Use this 8-inch-wide attachment in short, controlled strokes to remove dirt, lint, and allergens from the surface of your mattress.

Other uses: This tool also serves as an upholstery cleaner for larger furniture pieces, such as sofas and daybeds.

10. Car-Cleaning Nozzle

How it works: This 4-inch-wide, wedge-shaped attachment connects to the hose of a wet-dry vacuum, making it perfect for targeted suction on carpeted car mats. It effortlessly collects every grain of sand or even tiny crumbs.

Other uses: Use it to clean patio furniture as well—it's more efficient than just hosing them down, delivering a more thorough clean.

11. Radiator Brush

How it works: This stiff-bristled attachment slides over the crevice tool of Miele vacuums and is narrow enough to reach into the fins of radiators for quick, efficient cleaning. (Experts suggest doing this once a year.) If you're using a non-Miele vacuum, a bottle brush can help loosen the debris, followed by vacuuming it up with a dusting tool.

Other uses: It's also perfect for tackling refrigerator coils and vent slats. The bristles are great at removing stubborn buildup in tight spots.

12. Computer Cleaner

How it works: Use a micro-dusting accessory kit to wipe off dust from keyboards, featuring a 36-inch hose, a compact extension wand, two brush attachments, and a crevice tool. This set is also perfect for cleaning the inside of sewing machines.

13. Pet Groomer

How it works: If your pet sheds a lot, a grooming tool helps remove fur without the mess. It collects the hair as you brush, keeping both your pet and furniture cleaner.

14. Drain Unclogger

How it works: Place this rubber suction cup onto a wet-dry vacuum to lift out stubborn debris—or even misplaced jewelry—from sinks, showers, or tub drains. Tip: The residue can be unpleasant, so rubber gloves are recommended.