Are old vacuums really that dirty?

[vacuumlad1650]

Ive had this conversation with mother all the time. i dont think they are. Your thoughts?

 

[HooverWhoBetter]

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.

 

[vintagefox]

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

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Alex,

No one else could have stated that better.


  It also depends on HOW you CARE for your appliance.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

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]

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!

 

[speedqueen]

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.

 

[fantomfan57]

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?

 

[pr-21]

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]

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]

a vacuum

can be cleaned after several uses to keep it clean.
It also prolongs it's life and effectiveness.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

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

 

[suckolux]

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

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I cant forget that my vacuums sit a long time with the same bag in them and those bags smell bad really quick

 

[suckolux]

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]

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.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

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]

Never know till you try! No cost experiment.

 

[sebo_fan]

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.