From pet hair to toddler crumbs this vacuum handles small messes with easy. With three kids and 2 dogs we've definitely tested the limits of this vacuum. Crumbs and pet hair are a daily battle in our house and this vacuum handles them with ease. Our 10 year old has ven swapped out the broom for this vacuum to handle his daily sweeping chore. While this vacuum is awesome to get crumbs off the couch or per hair from the wood floors don't expect to vacuum wall to wall carpet with it or pickup big messes. It's definitely well built but a little flimsy at the handle and where the vacuum collector container attaches. The suction is also a little weak when the stand up attachment is being used, the power just isn't there.