Now that venturing outdoors comes with sludgy feet, relying on the floor care appliances we'd use over summer will no longer cut it.
Regular vacuum cleaners can't handle anything wet, even if it's just the slight moisture that you'd find in a muddy footprint. But there's a fix: A handheld vacuum that can suck up liquids, like the Shark MessMaster that's on offer for just $89.99 at HSN as an early Black Friday deal.
We absolutely loved it during testing, as it picked up all manner of typically un-vacuumable messes, and it'll be your new best vacuum for cleaning up all that winter grime.
The Shark MessMaster Will Eradicate Winter Mess, From Snow to Soggy Footprints
If there’s one thing that defines winter cleaning, it’s moisture. Melting snow, road salt, damp paw prints, wet doormats – winter messes can shorten a regular vacuum’s lifespan, with the moisture clogging filters and doing irreversible damage to the motor.
That’s where the Shark MessMaster steps in. Unlike your standard upright or cordless vacuum, it’s built to take on the wet grime that comes with the season. It can pick up liquid spills as easily as dry debris, which makes it perfect for cleaning everything from melted ice on entryway tiles to soggy leaves that have found their way indoors.
In our Shark MessMaster review, seasoned vacuum and product tester Camryn Rabideau noted that it could even ‘lift moisture from carpets surprisingly well’, making it a genuinely practical tool for winter use.
This versatility is helped by its two cleaning modes – handheld and extended reach – which allow for both close-up spot cleaning and quick sweeps across wider areas, like when cleaning carpet or tile floors. The accessories click neatly into place and include a crevice tool for corners, a wide nozzle for puddles, and a brush attachment for stubborn residue such as salt or grit.
It’s also easier to maintain than full-sized vacuums. The washable filter and removable dust container mean you can rinse it out after every use, which is ideal when you’re dealing with muddy water or pet mess. The compact build makes it easy to store by the back door or in a utility area, ready for when the next storm hits.
Plus, just because it's small, it doesn't mean it's lacking in power. Its suction is on par with some of the best handheld vacuums and cordless sticks, yet it’s light enough to carry around one-handed. As we noted in our testing, it ‘handled thicker debris with ease’, making it suitable for quick cleans between deeper sessions, or to complement one of the best robot vacuums that'll do a lot of the work for you.
And because it’s designed specifically to deal with both wet and dry messes, you don’t have to worry about the kind of accidental spills that would normally send your regular vacuum to an early grave. From soaking up melted snow beneath boot racks to tackling pet accidents on tiled floors, it’s a genuine problem-solver for households battling through the colder months.
With a generous $80 off the full price, the Shark MessMaster is an excellent early Black Friday deal, and an investment that'll keep your home cleaner, drier, and far easier to manage this winter.
The Shark MessMaster is available for $89.99 at HSN.
More to Shop
Our testing sessions have included plenty of other outstanding wet and dry cleaners that will keep your home spotless this winter. Here are a few of my personal favorites.
All prices correct at time of publication.
This is the best vacuum-mop combo we've tested, and the one that I've continued to use in my own home, slashing my floorcare time in half. It vacuums and mops simultaneously, and it's been a savior now that my roommates and I have started tracking in mud and rain.
Read more in my full Dreame H14 Pro review.
For carpeted homes, a dedicated carpet cleaner can be a lifesaver for pulling mud and grime from deep within carpets, while washing them in the process. The Shark CarpetXpert is the best option we've tested that doesn't cost $300+. It also comes with a built-in StainStriker, for cleaning stains and spills from upholstery.
Read more in our full Shark CarpetXpert review.
It's a bit more of an investment, but the Yeedi S14 Plus will transform your home cleaning more than any other gadget this winter – and all-year-round – thanks to its deep vacuuming and mopping abilities that demands hardly any effort from you. It helps avoid grime buildup that can damage flooring and leave your home smelling musty.
Read more in our full Yeedi S14 Plus review.
Next, learn the perfect deep cleaning schedule for winter, and see the three high-impact fixes we're using on winter mud this year.
