Comments on: Bagless Vacuums, the Dirty Secret

By: LuckyII

LuckyII — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:29:08 +0000

“Be sure to only tap the rubber gasket portion of your filter. If you hit the paper portion it may be damaged by the impact. This should loosen most of the debris. If you have access to an air compressor, once the loose debris has been removed, blow any stubborn dust away.”

You’re delusional, or else you’ve never used a bagless vacuum.

I use my parents’ bagless Kenmore at their house and I now hate vacuuming more than ever, which I didn’t think was even possible. Dumping the canister is messy, but the filter is a nightmare. Tapping the rim on the garbage can might release some big chunks of dust, but if there is any pet hair, or anything else fibrous, in there at all, you’ll end up spending the next half-hour meticulously scooping dust out of the filter pleats with the handle of an old paintbrush. Tapping–heck, desperate, enraged, full-arm-swinging impact–does almost nothing.

They have a big house and a lot of carpet. I can easily empty a canister 10 times in a weekend.

On the up-side, I guess I know the thing is picking up a lot of dirt, but I will never, ever, own a bagless vacuum. I would pull up all my carpet and live with concrete and plywood floors before I’d spend that much time cleaning vacuum filters and breathing dirt.

By: A P

A P — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:23:02 +0000

I have severe asthma and am allergic to dust and dustmites so its really important for me to avoid releasing a bunch of dust into the air when I empty my vacuum's canister. I use the plastic bag method– holding the bag tightly around the canister while releasing the hatch. I noticed that with my dyson the dust is sort of compressed (like dryer lint) so it just falls into the bag without becoming air borne— however a friend has a bagless 'Dirt Devil' (can't recall brand) and the dust comes out loose and ends up everywhere.

I have a Dyson "Animal" (Dyson DC17 Animal Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum)— it is awesome!! I just wanted to make clear that the filter on a dyson upright is located underneath the canister– not a part of it. A friend destroyed her dyson by following the advice of an 'expert village' video and using water to clean the turbine head part of the canister. The filter is a disk with a silcone rim located under the plastic bit that the canister sits on, just take it out every six months– soak it in plain water for 15 mins, rinse and let dry *completely*, then put it back in.

By: Janis

Janis — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:19:34 +0000

I've owned just about every kind of vacuum there is (showing my age here). I even owned a Rainbow Machine…. they used water and the dirt mixed into the water. What a mess!!! Anyway, I now own a Dyson canister and love it. First time I've "loved" a vacuum. The suction power is awesome and it's easy to empty and easy to keep the filter clean. I don't think I'll ever buy another brand.

By: alisha

alisha — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:53:48 +0000

I have a bagless bissel, and so dose my best friend, thier like 25-35$. we never thought they would last so long, we each have had r`s for 5 years or more. We tap the filter on the tarsh can then rinse it under the fasite. and let air dry in the drain rack. Never had a problem, never even had to repace the filter in five years! Still run`s like new, who would have guessed!

By: stioffan

stioffan — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:48:36 +0000

I got a free Hoover on my local freecycle. The previous owner said it would need a new filter. Not the case. I took it outside and hosed it off with a gentle stream of water until the water was running clear (about 3-4 minutes). Then I let it air dry in the sun for an hour. Viola – Like brand new.

By: "Home Shop James"

"Home Shop James" — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:04:17 +0000

Just a note: The quality of vacuums isn’t what it once was. You would think after making vacuums for 100 years some of these companies would have it down to a fine science, but they don’t. Chinese parts increase profits for the manufacturer, but do very little for the consumer. As an example, one of my machines is so loud (because of a cheap import motor and beater bar), it wouldn’t be allowed to be used in an American factory without hearing protection (I wear earplugs).

By: "Home Shop James"

"Home Shop James" — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:02:44 +0000

I wouldn’t recommend blowing off any type of paper filter with compressed air. The high pressure will force particles into the paper and reduce effective surface area of the filter. High pressure will also open up the fibers allowing larger and larger particles to pass through. Filters should be handled with care!
Filters in bag less machines clog almost instantly reducing the suction power. The Dysons address this issue using centrifugal force to separate the larger particles and keep them out of the filter altogether. But I think the Dysons are overpriced to the extreme.
I currently own both bag less and standard bag vacuums from the same manufacturer (Hoover) that are similar to each other. In my opinion, there is no way to empty a bag less without getting dust everywhere (try emptying in front of the window with sunlight streaming in to see what I mean). Even when emptied outside the dust gets on my clothes, in my hair etc… I always change the bags outside and immediately put them in the trash can.

By: Kit

Kit — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:10:54 +0000

Well, I guess I'm old school but my name is Kit and I am addicted to Rainbow.
I moved onto housekeeping with mom's old Rainbow – which had been handed down to HER by Grandma.
It worked really well, but in turn I too got tired of filling and dumping water.
So I got rid of it when we could finally afford a 'good' model and lo and behold..
My dust allergies and the youngest kiddo's went into overdrive and the darn thing just pushed the dust bunnies around, I know it,lol!
I caved and bought a brand new Rainbow three years ago, and it has been SO worth it!
Like the older models you still change out the water.
But the new design has a HEPA filter and if I run it as an air cleaner for a few hours before my sister comes over , she can tolerate our (as she puts it) cat infested house for an afternoon.
(in the interests of full disclosure, I have 2 cats,lol)
I won't go back , and if this one lasts as long and grandma's did (heck , that one was still running when *I* got rid of it) then it will outlive me.
And no, I don't sell Rainbow – I don't want to clean *everyone's* house just mine…

By: Topblog » Appliance Parts Solutions: 1129313 ICEMAKER

Topblog » Appliance Parts Solutions: 1129313 ICEMAKER — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:16:18 +0000

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By: Shelley

Shelley — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:48:23 +0000

Wow. And here I am with several useless vacuums that are bagless. I can't afford the Dyson but gotta admit I am ready to invest in the cling spray. I have 3 very hairy cats and the amount of fur that clings is amazing.

Thanks for this website. It is awesome