Bagged VS Bagless

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

matt8808

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
600
Location
Teesside - North East - UK
BEFORE WE EVEN START.... please note that this is NOT a brand bashing thread.

The two machines I'm going to use as examples for my argument are a Dyson DC40 and a Sebo D4. The Sebo side of things could apply to any of their machines really though, be it a Felix or an X4.

I've chosen the DC40 as I think it is likely to be the most popular machine choice for the average Dyson customer. However we could always use the DC39 for a cylinder choice. Either way the results will pretty much be the same.

PLEASE NOTE AGAIN. THIS IS NOT A BRAND BASHING THEAD. So lets not have any of the 'this machine is better than that machine' ect ect... this is purely aimed at bagged VS bagless in general.


So, now thats out the way, I'll get down to it.

I've noticed there has been a lot of debate recently about people preferring bagless and washable filters, and others preferring bagged with disposable filters, and it got me thinking.

I'm currently a bagged customer - Sebo D4 Premium Eco, Kirby Sentria II & Numatic Henry Eco / George.

However it's not too long ago I was bagless too - DC25, DC39, DC41.

So this is based purely on my personal experience, however I've noticed other users saying a bag in their Sebo Felix lasts around 3 months of daily use, so thats drawn into account too as a D4 bag will also last me around 3 months being used 3 times a week for the whole house.

Right. So lets start off with bagless.

A DC40 for example. Used in my home, any recent Dyson has needed emptying once a week. So, if I empty the machine from the kitchen -
I unclip the bin, walk to the door, go onto the patio and open up the trash can (6ft away from back door), empty the dust bucket, close the bin lid, close the dust bucket flap, back into the house, close the back door, quick wipe to get rid of the dust thats coated the outside of the dust bucket, clip the dust bucket back onto the machine.

Now I think thats a fairly reasonable procedure. Anybody who is emptying a bagless machine indoors is just plain filthy and should be shot at dawn. I've timed the abouve procedure and it takes roughly 90 seconds for me. Thats not rushing, and its not taking my time either. Normal pace.

So 90 seconds once a week. Every 4th week, assuming there are 4 weeks in the month, the filters will need washing too, as most Dyson machines now require monthly filter washes BASED ON THE USER GUIDE.

So every 4th week we'll spend what, 15 minutes? Thats the above emptying procedure, followed by removing any crud thats built up on the filter shroud, removing both filters, washing them & then refitting them once dry.

Again I don't think this is an unfair time. You wash the filter, then have to wipe up around the sink and things, wash & dry your hands afterwards, refit the filters once dry ect ect. This is a start to finsh kinda time, not just the time you spend with the actual filter under the tap.

So we're now at 19 minutes and 30 seconds of total time spent on maintainence each month, based on a weekly bin empty and filter care per the user guide.

In 3 months this is 58 minutes and 30 seconds. So lets say an hour. An hour every 3 months. Soon adding up isn't it?

So. Bagged.
Based on how long a bag lasts me under the same amount of use the above Dyson was getting. Again, based on 4 weeks in a month.
Week 1 - first bag, week 2 - still on the first bag, week 3 - still on the first bag, week 4 - still on the first bag, week 5 - still on the first bag, week 6 - still on the first bag, week 7 - still on the first bag, week 8 - still on the first bag, week 9 - still on the first bag, week 10 - still on the first bag, week 11 - still on the first bag, week 12 - time for a new bag.

So again, in the kitchen. Open up the machine, remove the bag, out the back door, bag in the trash can, back in house, box of bags from cupboard, new bag fitted, close machine lid, box of bags back in cupboard.

We'll say 3 minutes. I'll say double what it takes for the bagless based on having to get a new bag from the box and then putting the spare bags away again.

So in 3 months we have 3 minutes of maintenance time for a bagged machine and 58 minutes and 30 seconds for a bagless machine.

Now the user guide on my D4 says to replace the filters after 16 bags have been used. So 16 x 3 months = 48 months. 4 years.

In 4 YEARS with the bagged D4 thats 48 minutes spent changing bags, plus say 10 minutes to fit a new set of filters too.

58 minutes. Round it up to an hour. An hour of bag and filter maintenance in 4 years.

In 4 years you've spent OVER 15 HOURS bin emptying and filter washing on the above bagless machine.

Now cost. Because you've not had to buy bags or filters for the bagless machine right?

Based on 4 years. 8 genuine bags for the D4 is £11.95. So for the 16 bags in 4 years based on a bag lasting 3 months thats £23.90 in bags and £19.96 for a filter set. £43.86 total in 4 years.

So. In 4 years I can either spend over 15 HOURS of my time in maintenance and have 0 cost.
Or I can spend 1 hour in maintenance and have a parts cost of less than £44.

After sitting and working it out I suddenly don't think I'll ever be buying bagless again.

How much is YOUR time worth to you?
 
Haha Matt. I empty the bin once a week takes about 10 seconds. The cyclones are now so efficient they filter the dust down to 0.5 microns. you only need to wash them every 3 months
If you only vacuum once a week you can easy them every 6 months. It only takes a few minutes to rinse them out its no big deal. A few minutes every 3 to 6 months
..... I think I can spare the time :-))))
 
Every 3 months eh?

My DC39 was every month. And I'm sure the DC40 says wash once a month too. Mine DID need washing once a month, and as said above the example given is by following the used guide and actually washing them at the correct intervals.
 
Haha well you surprise me turbo :-) Press button open flap dump close flap done. Now smelly rotting bag :)
 
I prefer bags in every situation expect one: dry carpet cleaning. When using Host or Capture, both fantastic products for cleaning carpet with light to medium soiling, my Dyson is my best friend. Capture in particular is so fine, it clogs most bags almost immediately. Even Tristar bags quickly loose suction, and to vacuum up the powder you need maximum suction consistently. I have not had a suction issue with cyclonic bagless vacuums with more than two cyclones. 


 


When the bin is full, I simply walk outside and empty it. Let's say this takes a minute, and I only have to do this once a room. Afterward, although not mandatory, I dissemble the cyclone, blow out any dust remaining with the blower function on my Electrolux, and then suction off the filter. I've never actually washed my DC14's filter. This takes maybe 7 minutes. Otherwise, I would have to replace a vacuum bag every few minutes or so while cleaning, walk out to the trash can each time, and pay for every bag, although honestly I buy C bags in bulk so that doesn't amount to much. I've found it to be both more economical and time saving to use a bagless vacuum in that particular situation. 
 
Marcus, did I not make the original post clear enough?

Try reading it again....

I unclip the bin, walk to the door, go onto the patio and open up the trash can (6ft away from back door), empty the dust bucket, close the bin lid, close the dust bucket flap, back into the house, close the back door, quick wipe to get rid of the dust thats coated the outside of the dust bucket, clip the dust bucket back onto the machine.

Now I think thats a fairly reasonable procedure. Anybody who is emptying a bagless machine indoors is just plain filthy and should be shot at dawn. I've timed the abouve procedure and it takes roughly 90 seconds for me. Thats not rushing, and its not taking my time either. Normal pace.


WHAT ARE YOU DOING? TELEPORTING TO THE TRASH CAN WITH YOUR FULL DYSON? 10 seconds my arse
 
Yep

Bagged here too. Me and my dad are allergic to dust so emptying the container of a bagless vacuum is a messy and painful task. With a bag, all you have to do is take it out, put it in the bin, and put a new one in. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion, and really no need for anything more complicated or time consuming. 


 


Wavering slightly off topic here, I saw this scan the other day and thought you may like it Chris. Apologies for the large size of the picture.

suctionselector++11-4-2014-15-57-9.jpg
 
3 months for what Marcus? for a DC41, yes. Most other Dyson machines are now monthly. Or the DC39 was when I owned it, as was my last DC25 and as was the last DC40 I saw on display in Currys
 
Oh a whole 90 seconds well shiver me timbers

Marcus, you've made so many points in the last few days with regards to how efficient this DC41.2 of yours is, the very least you could do is show a bit of respect towards another member who has actually taken the time to try a little home experiment and post his findings.
 
when do I ever get any respect for my views

constantly! When have your views been disrespected, more to the point? I don't think anyone has smacked you down for liking your Dyson, despite you smacking others down for preferring another cleaner. Infact, some of us are quite pleased that Dyson have AT LEAST made a cleaner with a decent brushroll in it. Respect works both ways, ya know.
 
I'm gonna go and hug him now haha

...am I reading that part right, or have I just been on the wine a bit too much tonight? :P


 


Marcus, let me get one thing perfectly clear. I don't have anything against your DC41.2. At all. I'm really glad that you've found a product that works so well for you. I've not had chance to use the mk2 yet, so I can't comment. But overall, I'm not a fan of Dyson products (any of them!), I don't like James Dyson as a person based on what I know and I don't like the company. Whilst I've no major issue with the performance of their cleaners, I've always found them very mediocre for the price you pay. I don't think that the high price tag reflects the quality of the machine you get.

But, as I said, it's great that you're happy with your Dyson. I'm interested in all sorts of vacuums - upright, cylinder, handheld, bagged, bagless, wet filter etc. I wouldn't necessarily want to use a bagless vacuum in my home all the time, but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate them or find them interesting.

Now, as Matt said, this isn't a brand-bashing thread. But I just wanted to make it clear that my issue is not with your choice of vacuum AT ALL. :)
 
ERM 90 seconds my arse??? And I think you called my views ridiculous last night? Anyway I don't want an argument. If you don't want me on here I will willingly leave :-)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top