I’ve been a loyal user of Shark vacuums for several years now. (Most of the OGT Team are Shark users as well! We are a passionate group when it comes to the value and quality of our cleaning tools.) I’ve always been incredibly satisfied with the performance of my vacuums, but I have always felt like something was missing when it comes to my vacuum attachments.
Related: The Best Corded And Cordless Vacuums That Are Actually Affordable
My Shark vacuum did come with a crevice tool, but even this attachment isn’t as narrow or nimble as I would like it to be. (I don’t know if such an attachment even exists!) So I decided to do what all good DIYers do, and figure out how to make one myself!
Check out this vacuum hack in action in my video at the end of the post!
I’m happy to report that I cracked the code, and found a way to make the narrow and flexible crevice tool I had been dreaming of. And the best part? I only needed one common household item to do it—a cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels!
Today I’ll be showing you how you can make your own easy crevice tool at home, along with some brilliant ways to put it to good use!
How To Make A Cardboard Tube Crevice Tool
Step 2: Position The Tube
Start by squishing and/or folding one end of a long cardboard tube so you can slide it into the end of your vacuum hose. (As long as you get it to fit snugly, there’s no need to tape it or secure it. Vacuum will do most of the work to hold it in place once you get it up and running!)
Step 2: Trim & Flatten
Once you have your tube attached to the hose, you can trim the tube to whatever length feels best for you. (You can also keep it long if you want!) Then simply flatten the other end of the tube to create a narrow opening. And voila, your crevice tool is ready to use!
5 Genius Ways To Use Your Crevice Tool
There are so many different ways that this tool can come in handy when you’re cleaning. Here are just a few of the places I’ve used mine so far:
1. Window Tracks
The flattened tube can fit into even the most narrow sections of your window track to suck out dirt and dust.
2. Drawers
Drawers can quickly fill up with dust, dirt, hair, etc., and the cardboard tube crevice tool makes it easy to clean it all out fast!
3. Your Car’s Center Console
The slim opening makes it easy to clear out all the grime that collects in your gear shift, cup holders, and other nooks and crannies.
4. Vents
Use your DIY crevice tool to clear out dust and dirt from all kinds of vents around the house. It’s perfect for floor vents, exhaust fans, and even the vents in your car!
5. Baseboards
This crevice tool is also perfect for picking up the dust that settles on your baseboards! I normally hate dusting my baseboards, but this way is so much easier.
More Ideas You'll Love
My vacuum just sucks the tube closed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Didn’t have have a toilet roll tube available, so just made a tube with a piece of scrap paper and used this on my little vacuum cleaner to get into the light shade of a floor lamp, where several flies had ended their lives. It was delicate enough to do no harm to the fragile light bulb.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you! That’s a lovely idea altogether. Economic, ecological and probably ergonomic since I don’t have to go anywhere to buy/get it. Well done!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s pure genius! Makes me wonder why vacuums don’t come with flexible crevice tools to begin with.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Right?!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been doing that for years!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.me too, Laurie, misplaced mine one time and in desperation, made one. What’s even better are the cardboard rolls from parchment paper ..Have a great day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Whoo that’s the best ever! You have the best ideas, I read your posts everyday & everyday I’m surprised . Thanks Jillee.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Susan O’
Thanks Susan!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a great hack! I also love the fact that if there is something really dirty that needs to be cleaned, like the sliding-glass-door track, instead of having to clean my vacuum attachment when I’m done, I can just throw this one away.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use similar trick to blow the water out of my CPAP tube after cleaning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If I can get the paper roll to stop closing up. I bet that it would work well for all the stuff that accumulates in the cracks , in the refrigerator.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As long you gently squeeze the toilet paper tube in the opposite direction of the collapse, it should work just fine! I would also suggest using a paper towel roll instead of a toilet paper roll – they seem to be a bit stronger :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve tried this several times through the years & my Shark sucks the end shut. I’m thinking maybe the suction is too strong on mine, so I wound up getting one of those Oxo Good Grips microfiber dusters that are designed for under appliances & under furniture. Thankfully the crevice tool that came on my Shark does most of what I need it to.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you shorten the amount of exposed cardboard roll, it won’t close up.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try a DUST DADDY. It looks like it is much easier to use than this. You don’t need to hold the carboard tube with your other hand. Even got into vents in car!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is kind of….genius!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi, What kind of Shark vacuum would you recommend? I have hardwood floors (no carpet), so I want a vacuum for the sofa and baseboards. It must have a sealed Hepa filter. I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks. I really enjoy your posts.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.See the comment I left on Karen’s post below. It was meant for you. LOL
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks (lol)
I tried this hack a few months ago and the suction caused the cardboard tube to “suck together”. I really had to fight to keep the tube open, finally gave up. Maybe my vacuum is a super sucker :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the Shark Rotator Professional that Sam’s Club sales. Love it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry, this was meant for the comment above yours on my screen. I had the same experience you did though.
Happened to me too. Bed Bath and Beyond has a super cheap universal tool with a tube attachment. I finally was able to clean my dryer vent yesterday. It hasn’t been this clean since u bought it. I was so happy when the sales associate recommended it for me!! It’s blue, three pieces, and comes in a box. I plan to use in other small places like window a door tracks. Cannot say how glad that someone finally came up with a universal tool for cleaning tight areas. It’s called “lint wizard”. $9.99. Use 20% off coupon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love your tip. The toweling cardboard tube is great for getting under the refrigerator and should be done every couple of months. Less accumulated dust makes it cooperate more efficiently
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great tip!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is an awesome hack! Want to add to this that there is a way to make crevice cleaning even faster, paired with your tool. Purchase a professional quality paint brush from a paint store. Usually a 2nd quality mis-cut can be found for around $5. Emphasis is “quality” because performance and durability can’t be matched; emphasis on purchasing from a paint store because the price is lower than Walmart. These brushes can not be sold to painters who need precision and are invaluable for cleaning purposes. Dry-cleaning a window track with paintbrush in one hand, vacuum following close behind in the other is efficient. Paint-brushing baseboards, cabinet/drawer corners, even ceiling fans makes a fast clean. Follow with a spritz of light cleaner and paper towel or dusting cloth with polish to finish. These brushes will outlast the cleaner even while being tough enough to jam into corners.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How clever!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks great hack. I’m going to actually follow up on this one. Again, thanks.!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.it would be great to clean out the lint screen area in the dryer
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wrapping paper rolls work well for that.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You have me wondering if I can adapt a tool which I bought for just such uses, which won’t fit my shark tube! The tool has lots of straw sized tubes which you can use to clean out drawers and small spaces, and you don’t have to clear the drawers out to do it, which is a bonus! Your idea is fantastic Jillee and, if I can’t adapt the tool, I’ll most certainly be using it. I think Shark are (as the ad says) brilliant, definitely the best vacuum cleaners on the market at the moment.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You haven’t used a water filtered vacuum, have you? They never stink of dust or dirt because you change the water. The dirt and bacteria are never stored or thrown into the air.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think you’re thinking of a rainbow vacuum. Had one many years ago and I don’t know it f they are still making them………………………..
You can get adapters to make different sized vacuum hoses and accessories to fit each other at vac and sew shops.
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