Abstract: A wet dry cannister vacuum having an upper and lower chamber separated by an intermediate wall. A blower (1) in the upper chamber providing a low and high pressure head communicating with respectively with low and high pressure compartments. A valve (2) opening from the low pressure compartment through the intermediate wall to the lower chamber. Another valve (8) opening from the high pressure compartment through the intermediate wall into the lower chamber. A water reservoir in the bottom of the lower chamber. A duct (15) opens on one end near the bottom of the lower chamber and on the other end to ambient air pressure. In operation, before wet or loose dry material is vacuumed, a small amount of water is introduced into the lower chamber by length of flexible hose being attached to the duct (15) and to a water source on the other. After priming, an attachment for cleaning may be attached to the hose, such as a shampoo wand (25).