Vacuum cleaners remove dirt and waste material from carpets, rugs, and bare floors.
A vacuum cleaner works by means of a suction fan, which creates a partial vacuum within the machine. Outside air, which always tries to fill a vacuum, flows rapidly into the cleaner, drawing in dirt. A cloth or paper bag, or other container, traps the dirt, and the cleaned air is blown out of the machine. The container must be emptied or changed regularly. In some models, dirt is deposited in a tank of water, which filters out the dust.