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[webbgarner1]

@drizzellla   When my mother became elderly we had a ramp built to her home  as she was so unsteady on stpes. It was covered in that typical green mat you see  used on a lot of ramps. I vacumed it once a week. Never harmed her vacume cleaner. 

[Nataliesgramma]

I also recommend Don's outdoor mat...

I have an old Eureka sweeper that I use on the outdoor carpet in the summer on the patio. I only use it for that and store it in the barn.....

[nyc1]

I personally would not use the same vacuum inside and out.  We have a cut out area next to my front door that gets scraps of leaves, etc.   I sweep it but when we want to get every last bit of leaf out of there, we use a leaf blower.   I don't like the idea of the possibility of a bug on one side of the leaf...  eggs, and bug babies in my vacuum!!!  That may be a little extreme,  but I would prefer not to mix the two.

[SilleeMee]

I use my older Shark Lift-Away in the garage to vacuum the floor, doormat and car interior. This includes leaves, dirt, small pebbles and pine needles. I don't use it to vacuum up metal things like nails or screws. I wash the filters frequently and more than I do for my other Shark which I use on the inside of my house where there isn't that much dirt and dust.

[drizzellla]

I forgot! I can't believe I forgot! I have an Eureka in the attic.  I was not impressed with it. I have plush carpet in the living room. And it just did not seem to do a good job on the plush carpet. It was almost brand new - so I stuck it in the attic.

It will be my "outside" vacuum!

Thank you Thank you

[jlkz]

@drizzellla

Understand the problem very well.  Start at the source: the wind is driving the leaves into a corner.

Try to devise a set up that keeps the wind away from the corner:  create a barrier using large planters or some other device that will catch the leaves before they reach your door.  Position planters or bench that fully sits on the floor to angle away from your door.

The terra-cotta planters keep a mountain of oak leaves from swamping our front porch area:

[SilleeMee]

Things that will damage a regular vacuum cleaner:

- very fine dust like fireplace ash or dust from construction

- large pieces of broken glass

- coins

- hardware like screws and bolts

- liquids

Anything soft and flexible like leaves and small twigs are okay to vacuum. Turn off the brush roll or better yet, use a hard-floor attachment if your vacuum has one. @drizzellla

[drizzellla]

Jlkz

Great idea - but it won't work the way the front of the house is set up. There is an overhang that goes across the garage and living room and then to the front door. Then the overhang ends after the front door. That makes the corner. 

I can't have anything in the corner - it would interfer with the storm door because it opens out.

I do have planters in the front of the house. Just not under the overhang.

Thank you for the attractive picture and suggestion.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Howdy.  I do that sort of thing all the time.  I open the front door and keep moving to the porch, oak leaves and all.  (I sweep and blow, too - just depends.)

I used to keep a vac in the garage for use only out there - then I changed my mind and decided to use it as a first floor indoor vac.  No problem.

Naturally I avoid things that are wet.⚡️

[Fressa]

I would hesitate to use your indoor vacuum outside. Those leaf bits can not be good for either vacuum. I have Dysons for the inside of the house. For my outdoor mats/rugs I  use my coconut broom or the Wet/dry vac. Most of the time I use the coconut broom and it does a really nice job. Once in a while I will use my battery operated Sun Joe blower and it does a nice job of getting all those bits and pieces from the rugs. We have woods on three sides of our homes so I am always cleaning up pine needles and leaves, etc.