Ive had this conversation with mother all the time. i dont think they are. Your thoughts?
Are old vacuums really that dirty?
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HooverWhoBetter
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What exaclty do you mean? A lot of them that are second hand tend to be filthy as they have usually been through the mill and are pretty manky.
Not sure what you mean other that that.
Not sure what you mean other that that.
vintagefox
Well-known member
I'm not sure what you mean but I'll list a few statements.
Funny thing is, some old cleaners clean better than the newer chinese 12 amp vacuums that people buy and toss 2 years later.
The process of manufacturing something is always dirty. Be it batteries or the process of getting raw material for producing electric generator windmills.
Older machines usually use a lot less amps to run, so they're actually greener to use. Also using an old vacuum keeps it from ending up in the landfill.
The last thing and probably what you're referring to is the use of a shake out bag. Those are indeed kind of dirty, since some dust gets thrown back into the air. Though this is very minor considering if the user empties it out after each use. (As per some shake out bag machines recommend you do so)
Using a paper bag does help keep the dust level down, not to mention makes it easier to clean out the bag. As for the allergic type, one can use a HEPA bag which keeps more dust and junk out.
But in reality an old machine isn't THAT dirty. Modern bagless vacuums still unleash a dust cloud into the air whenever its emptied into a trash can.
Some newer "clean air" vacs have a butt ton of filters to replace, which isn't fun doing so considering that they're chock full of dust and other contaminates. Not to mention, tossing out these filters creates more unnecessary waste compared to simply tossing out a paper bag into the trash.
That's just my opinion on it really. Others are more than welcome to think otherwise.
-Alex
Funny thing is, some old cleaners clean better than the newer chinese 12 amp vacuums that people buy and toss 2 years later.
The process of manufacturing something is always dirty. Be it batteries or the process of getting raw material for producing electric generator windmills.
Older machines usually use a lot less amps to run, so they're actually greener to use. Also using an old vacuum keeps it from ending up in the landfill.
The last thing and probably what you're referring to is the use of a shake out bag. Those are indeed kind of dirty, since some dust gets thrown back into the air. Though this is very minor considering if the user empties it out after each use. (As per some shake out bag machines recommend you do so)
Using a paper bag does help keep the dust level down, not to mention makes it easier to clean out the bag. As for the allergic type, one can use a HEPA bag which keeps more dust and junk out.
But in reality an old machine isn't THAT dirty. Modern bagless vacuums still unleash a dust cloud into the air whenever its emptied into a trash can.
Some newer "clean air" vacs have a butt ton of filters to replace, which isn't fun doing so considering that they're chock full of dust and other contaminates. Not to mention, tossing out these filters creates more unnecessary waste compared to simply tossing out a paper bag into the trash.
That's just my opinion on it really. Others are more than welcome to think otherwise.
-Alex
Alex,
No one else could have stated that better.
It also depends on HOW you CARE for your appliance.
No one else could have stated that better.
It also depends on HOW you CARE for your appliance.
Should have clarified. not physically dirty, but dirty or unhealthy to use? Mother thinks they spew dust. Obviously she isnt the one to empty the Central Vacuum
vintagefox
Well-known member
I pretty much summed it up. No not really. If anything, sweeping a dirty floor is much worse. (launching dust up into the air and hardly cleaning the floor) The only spewing of dust that occurs is when you toss the old paper bag into the trash can and nothing more. Which in reality isn't harmful at all.
A little dust isn't harmful, that's what immune systems are for!
A little dust isn't harmful, that's what immune systems are for!
speedqueen
Well-known member
Buy her a Dirt Devil...
...and show her how much escapes the high efficiency cyclone and then promptly blows out around the seal before it ever hits the foam and HEPA filters.
If that doesn't settle it, arguing is futile.
...and show her how much escapes the high efficiency cyclone and then promptly blows out around the seal before it ever hits the foam and HEPA filters.
If that doesn't settle it, arguing is futile.
fantomfan57
Well-known member
Alex, Reply #2 & John, Reply #3
Alex, I like your response. Very well written.
John, that is very true, care is very important.
I had heard the phrase "tools of the trade" when I was young. Paternal Grandparent was a house painter, he taught my dad to take care of his tools or he would not make a living. I wonder, has this ceased to be instilled in younger generations?
Alex, I like your response. Very well written.
John, that is very true, care is very important.
I had heard the phrase "tools of the trade" when I was young. Paternal Grandparent was a house painter, he taught my dad to take care of his tools or he would not make a living. I wonder, has this ceased to be instilled in younger generations?
pr-21
Well-known member
Depends on how well you sanitize them before using. I sanitize with Pinesol, using qtips, microfiber towels, paper towels, then I wipe down with windex. Most of my vintage machines, that I acquired or had, I was lucky enough to find nos brushes or brush rolls for the machines. They can be used for daily drivers and I do sometimes. I have a Eureka Model 260, which I had a two speed 6 amp motor put in along with a brand new two speed switch. One of my favorites.
suckolux
Well-known member
I am guessing she is referring to a dusty smell when you run your Lux? I had that too! Pre-motor filter and the hepa cloth bags was gone! My vac shop said the fans get very dirty, that would stop it. He was wrong on that anyway, the change in filter/ bag did it. I don't think its anything more than smell really, never have noticed dust before.
vacerator
Well-known member
a vacuum
can be cleaned after several uses to keep it clean.
It also prolongs it's life and effectiveness.
can be cleaned after several uses to keep it clean.
It also prolongs it's life and effectiveness.
I dont have any HEPA in the budget for my Electrolux's. The Kenmore's all got new HEPA filters but mother doesnt like my Kenmore Vacuums.
Whanever I buy a vacuum, i clean it off. They each get serviced in the shop twice a year, and i wipe the bag compartments when I change a bag
Whanever I buy a vacuum, i clean it off. They each get serviced in the shop twice a year, and i wipe the bag compartments when I change a bag
suckolux
Well-known member
True Andy, they are a bit pricey but they do seem to last a lot longer.Again, maybe its just a smell and not actually dirtier or dusty
I cant forget that my vacuums sit a long time with the same bag in them and those bags smell bad really quick
suckolux
Well-known member
Great point! Bacteria grow in the bag ? A guess.Not sure what to do for that. I sometimes put some of the Downy Upstopbables in a partial filled bag if its sitting, but then its just another smell.
suckolux
Well-known member
Perhaps a pain? What about using one bag and moving it to the machine you want to use? that would keep the age of dirt in the bag down? A pain I know.
I might try that when my bags all fill up. Right now all the Electrolux bags are hardly full (Except the L. Been using it to clean out my shop in the basement)
suckolux
Well-known member
Never know till you try! No cost experiment.
sebo_fan
Well-known member
It depends on what you mean "old"
Old as in a vintage vacuum cleaner?
or New as in a modern vacuum cleaner built a few years ago?
But really I think all vacuums are dirty when you think about it. No matter how many times you might clean out the bag or wash the soft bag if you have a vintage upright, very few actual owners will bother to look past the brush roll. Unless of course it is a collector who can strip everything back and clear the airways that get clogged with dirt that smells.
Its a good question though - it often reminds me of washing machines or ovens - people rely so much on stay clean linings but very few remove the linings and check what's behind, or remove general viewable muck and grime.
Washing machine rubber linings at the door entry for example are another issue - few check what lies underneath until it starts to smell bad.
Old as in a vintage vacuum cleaner?
or New as in a modern vacuum cleaner built a few years ago?
But really I think all vacuums are dirty when you think about it. No matter how many times you might clean out the bag or wash the soft bag if you have a vintage upright, very few actual owners will bother to look past the brush roll. Unless of course it is a collector who can strip everything back and clear the airways that get clogged with dirt that smells.
Its a good question though - it often reminds me of washing machines or ovens - people rely so much on stay clean linings but very few remove the linings and check what's behind, or remove general viewable muck and grime.
Washing machine rubber linings at the door entry for example are another issue - few check what lies underneath until it starts to smell bad.
vacerator
Well-known member
absolutely Sebo!
When pet hair sits in a vacuum, the bacteria grows and smells awfull.
One I have I had to tear down and disinfect the area below the top of the motor.
It is made with a three part cylinder type. Shaped like a triangular canned ham.
The lid, the bag chamber and upper motor, and a lower shell, which is the bottom of the cleaner holding the cord reel and lower motor.
Moldy front load washer gaskets are also nasty.
Clean with bleach occasionally, and leave the door open until it is dry.
When pet hair sits in a vacuum, the bacteria grows and smells awfull.
One I have I had to tear down and disinfect the area below the top of the motor.
It is made with a three part cylinder type. Shaped like a triangular canned ham.
The lid, the bag chamber and upper motor, and a lower shell, which is the bottom of the cleaner holding the cord reel and lower motor.
Moldy front load washer gaskets are also nasty.
Clean with bleach occasionally, and leave the door open until it is dry.
cb123
Well-known member
Does it look like these smell...I think not. It's all about how clean you are and that makes all the difference in the world.
human
Well-known member
My vacuums were a mixed bag but all are clean now. None ever had any odors.
Both of my Electrolux canisters are clean as a whistle inside and were when I got them. One of my Royal 501 handhelds--the older one, ironically--came to me clean but the other one was encrusted with pet hair though had no odors. I ended up vacuuming the bag out with my Super J and now use paper bag liners with both machines.
My Kirbys are a different story. The first Gsix--the one I rescued from a dumpster--was encrusted with that carpet fresh crap and required some love with a wire brush. The second one, which I bought last spring, was clean as a whistle. I think the former owner mainly used it with the hose. The G5, my 'FrankenKirby', was a mess when I got it. The thing had apparently been used without an inner filter bag and the outer cloth bag appeared to be thoroughly impregnated with dry wall dust. It was in such bad shape that I just ended up replacing the entire outer bag assembly with a pristine one from an Ultimate G. In the year I've had it, the G5 has needed much more love than any of my others and I've had to sink way too much money into it but she's functionally right as rain and has a unique burgundy and gray color scheme.
Both of my Electrolux canisters are clean as a whistle inside and were when I got them. One of my Royal 501 handhelds--the older one, ironically--came to me clean but the other one was encrusted with pet hair though had no odors. I ended up vacuuming the bag out with my Super J and now use paper bag liners with both machines.
My Kirbys are a different story. The first Gsix--the one I rescued from a dumpster--was encrusted with that carpet fresh crap and required some love with a wire brush. The second one, which I bought last spring, was clean as a whistle. I think the former owner mainly used it with the hose. The G5, my 'FrankenKirby', was a mess when I got it. The thing had apparently been used without an inner filter bag and the outer cloth bag appeared to be thoroughly impregnated with dry wall dust. It was in such bad shape that I just ended up replacing the entire outer bag assembly with a pristine one from an Ultimate G. In the year I've had it, the G5 has needed much more love than any of my others and I've had to sink way too much money into it but she's functionally right as rain and has a unique burgundy and gray color scheme.
paper vs fleece bags
My experience is that just putting good fleece bag in the old vacuum makes a huge difference. I have done it to all of my vacuums. Of course bag has to have good seal. Otherwise it's pointless. My latest experiment was vacuuming a bit of flour with the paper bag and it caused some flour to escape to the bag compartment. Same test with the fleece bag and bag compartment stayed spotless. It doesn't keep the odors away, but filtration is hugely better than with the paper bags.
My experience is that just putting good fleece bag in the old vacuum makes a huge difference. I have done it to all of my vacuums. Of course bag has to have good seal. Otherwise it's pointless. My latest experiment was vacuuming a bit of flour with the paper bag and it caused some flour to escape to the bag compartment. Same test with the fleece bag and bag compartment stayed spotless. It doesn't keep the odors away, but filtration is hugely better than with the paper bags.
dartman
Well-known member
I use a older but not antique Starks/Royal 4650 and it is supposed to be one of the first HEPA filter types out. I don't notice any dust escaping and it cleans really well with a excellent power head. My earlier 413 power tank was the same as long as the hose wasn't shot and full of holes.
We had a good Kenmore canister that the plastic body was so cracked up it shot dust out all over. It would have been a great machine I think if everything wasn't broken. Replaced it with the first Royal I bought as a almost new trade in with everything from a Kirby sales man after I couldn't afford that Kirby about 90 for 200.
We had a good Kenmore canister that the plastic body was so cracked up it shot dust out all over. It would have been a great machine I think if everything wasn't broken. Replaced it with the first Royal I bought as a almost new trade in with everything from a Kirby sales man after I couldn't afford that Kirby about 90 for 200.
Holy Crud Batman ! ! !
After putting together the Royal Metal Upright recently given me, I just tossed a black plastic Dirt Devil whose housing was a static-cling anode. When changing the bag, you could literally see dust kicked up from the brush roller being zapped to the plastic housing like a magnet. I hated it because it took 5-minutes to clean the housing prior to putting it away . . .
After putting together the Royal Metal Upright recently given me, I just tossed a black plastic Dirt Devil whose housing was a static-cling anode. When changing the bag, you could literally see dust kicked up from the brush roller being zapped to the plastic housing like a magnet. I hated it because it took 5-minutes to clean the housing prior to putting it away . . .
jodan3399
Well-known member
Allergies and asthma don't lie...I can't stand most of the newer bagless creatures they offer now.
Most spew dust if you don't keep the filters impeccability clean or get the bin fitted on the seal just right, and just emptying them and cleaning the filters can make me start sneezing and wheezing.
Give me an older bagged vacuum any day.
Most spew dust if you don't keep the filters impeccability clean or get the bin fitted on the seal just right, and just emptying them and cleaning the filters can make me start sneezing and wheezing.
Give me an older bagged vacuum any day.
Mmm....I really don't think older sweepers are dirtier to use. At first the sweeper itself will probably be dirty considering it's coming to you second hand, but actual operation once it's been cleaned well I think is actually cleaner than newer sweepers. I feel they clean carpet better, and there isn't a giant cloud of dust getting in your face when you empty the bag. All around I prefer older ones (generally late 80s and earlier, with some exception) for keeping my home clean.
durango159
Well-known member
Well putting a HEPA bag in a machine really does make a huge difference!! Any A bag Hoover Convertible can get a HEPA bag and filtration from it will be far better than a standard A bag. A hard case bag machine can tell the results a little easier than a cloth bag of the dirt that can go through a vacuum bag.
Unfortunately many of the Hoover C and Eureka F&G bags that were vinyl dust clouds were possible. A lot of it depends on how well the bags are maintained and if one fusses with the dirt in the paper bag or knocks the vinyl bag into furniture during use. An ultra bright would show you some of the dirt that can be expelled from a vinyl bag using a standard filtration bag.
That being said, there are tons of current market machines that are near as bad!! Most bagless vacuums on the market to include Bissell, Eureka, etc. are filthy on the outside of the machine. The filth is not a result of the vacuum sitting out in a room on a regular basis, it is a result of terrible emissions from those machines!! Anyone who has ever serviced or used a Bissell PowerForce bagless, or Eureka Altima bagless or similar knows exactly what I'm talking about!! Remove the dirt cup and look how filthy the housing is around and behind the dirt cup, the entire back of the machine, the handle and of course the floor head. All of that is being knocked back into the air. Now comparatively as bad as I've knocked Hoover Type C and Eureka F&G bags above, I've never seen a floor head on one of those units look anywhere near as filth covered as these Bissell, Eureka, etc. bagless units and even bagged versions of the Eureka PowerLine Hardcase machines!!
A very good example of a pollution producing machine is also the cloth shake out bags of a Sanitaire SC886. I did commercial cleaning a year ago and the contract company I worked for had several of these units. Tons of dust clouds were spewing out of these units. Many of the vacuums had brand new cloth shake out bags too. But let it pick up some dirt and when that bag rubs along a desk or touches any obstacle while you're cleaning and a visible dust cloud will emerge!!
For great emissions I recommend a sealed system like a Riccar, Simplicity, Sebo, Lindhaus, Miele, etc. Filter Queen has terrific filtration, Rainbow has terrific filtration. Rainbow and Kenmore canisters both have earned Certifications by the American Asthma and Allergy Foundation. The Hoover Platinum series bagged upright with HEPA would have fantastic filtration. I have HEPA S bags in my 1990's/ 2000's Hoover PowerMax body style canisters. I have adapted a HEPA Kenmore bag to fit my Hoover Dimension 1000 vacuum cleaners. What's wonderful about the HEPA bag usage is not only the clean air to breathe but also how gorgeously it maintains the bag compartments of machines. I can't remember the last time I've felt the need to take a rag and the tedious time to wipe and clean a plastic body bag compartment in machines where a HEPA bag is installed!!!
Unfortunately many of the Hoover C and Eureka F&G bags that were vinyl dust clouds were possible. A lot of it depends on how well the bags are maintained and if one fusses with the dirt in the paper bag or knocks the vinyl bag into furniture during use. An ultra bright would show you some of the dirt that can be expelled from a vinyl bag using a standard filtration bag.
That being said, there are tons of current market machines that are near as bad!! Most bagless vacuums on the market to include Bissell, Eureka, etc. are filthy on the outside of the machine. The filth is not a result of the vacuum sitting out in a room on a regular basis, it is a result of terrible emissions from those machines!! Anyone who has ever serviced or used a Bissell PowerForce bagless, or Eureka Altima bagless or similar knows exactly what I'm talking about!! Remove the dirt cup and look how filthy the housing is around and behind the dirt cup, the entire back of the machine, the handle and of course the floor head. All of that is being knocked back into the air. Now comparatively as bad as I've knocked Hoover Type C and Eureka F&G bags above, I've never seen a floor head on one of those units look anywhere near as filth covered as these Bissell, Eureka, etc. bagless units and even bagged versions of the Eureka PowerLine Hardcase machines!!
A very good example of a pollution producing machine is also the cloth shake out bags of a Sanitaire SC886. I did commercial cleaning a year ago and the contract company I worked for had several of these units. Tons of dust clouds were spewing out of these units. Many of the vacuums had brand new cloth shake out bags too. But let it pick up some dirt and when that bag rubs along a desk or touches any obstacle while you're cleaning and a visible dust cloud will emerge!!
For great emissions I recommend a sealed system like a Riccar, Simplicity, Sebo, Lindhaus, Miele, etc. Filter Queen has terrific filtration, Rainbow has terrific filtration. Rainbow and Kenmore canisters both have earned Certifications by the American Asthma and Allergy Foundation. The Hoover Platinum series bagged upright with HEPA would have fantastic filtration. I have HEPA S bags in my 1990's/ 2000's Hoover PowerMax body style canisters. I have adapted a HEPA Kenmore bag to fit my Hoover Dimension 1000 vacuum cleaners. What's wonderful about the HEPA bag usage is not only the clean air to breathe but also how gorgeously it maintains the bag compartments of machines. I can't remember the last time I've felt the need to take a rag and the tedious time to wipe and clean a plastic body bag compartment in machines where a HEPA bag is installed!!!
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