Space is an issue for me. So is cleanliness. Why does this vac stink? Because the motor is less than an inch from the walls of the dirt canister. If you've used a shop vac & know how dirt packs to the filter, you may as well empty it on your floor & vac it all back up again. Putting the entire vac in the trash receptacle, then removing the top is the cleanest you can get with this. The hose doesn't unscrew; it slides between the top & bottom.The side tabs that lock are very tight; so tight that one snapped off, so I couldn't send it back. If you want a REALLY good small shop vac, go with the All Around. It may *seem* expensive, but when you get this vac, you'll kick yourself. A dustbuster would be better/easier.Sorry ShopVac- you failed with this pain in the butt.