Bissell impulse buy

[justjunque]

Hi, folks.
I’ve thought about this for over a year now, and I keep finding the strength to walk away. Today, I gave in.
I just couldn’t resist a cheap, brandy new, bagged vacuum. I’ve read a review or two, where someone replaced the paper bag with a pseudo HEPA type by Clean Fairy, and said how much it improved the performance. I’m going to try those, after the one paper bag that came with the machine.
With how many vacuums I have in rotation, it will get only occasional, light use. Plus, I’ve never bought a brand new, bagged upright, off the shelf of a big box store. Plus, if you don’t count the CrossWave, it’s my only Bissell vacuum.
Please don’t judge! I just thought it might be fun!

 

[justjunque]

Well, I unboxed it and put it together. The only actual assembly is putting in two Phillips screws to hold the handle in place.
I’ve had a change of plans though. I was planning on using the paper bag that came with it, then switching to the Clean Fairy bags. I thought that the vacuum came with a Febreeze bag, based on videos I’ve watched. Mine did not. To my surprise, the paper bag it came with is not even a Bissell branded bag. It’s a Walmart Great Value bag!
I’ve seen decent reviews of the Febreeze bags. Since I’m not sure of the quality of the store brand, bargain bags, I’m just going to wait to run it until I get the bags I ordered.
I’ve since learned that Clean Obsessed makes a bag for this vacuum too. I don’t know if they would be better than the Clean Fairy ones. But, I already bought the Clean Fairy.
Yes, it’s a $60 vacuum. But, I intend to treat it as kindly and gently as possible, and see if I can get decent results with it. I really want to like this vacuum!

 

[mieles5380leo]

I had one of these I bought new nearly 4 years ago to use as a utility machine. I sold it this past summer as I found it to be way too noisy and it appeared to blow more air than it sucked. It’s almost as if they used a blower motor in it because the output of air would make the blinds go flying and the ceiling fan start turning but the suction (even straight out of the box) was very poor. I found the machine too “abrasive” and not at all enjoyable to use.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks for the input! I've definitely read that one comment a lot; that the exhaust air is pretty intense.
Someone who tried using it on a hard floor said it blew the dirt and dust away instead of sucking it up.
Once I get my bags, I'm going to try it on my area rugs. I'll give it a chance anyway.

 

[justjunque]

Well, the bags that I ordered came today. So, I put one in, and gave it a whirl on one area rug.
The noise level wasn't anything that would bother me. It might not be as loud as my Orecks.
It did what I wanted it to do...pick up the stuff from the rug.
The exhaust air is a hoot though! A few times, when I pulled it back toward myself, it blew my hair up off my forehead. (Yes, I'm overdue for a haircut.)
I was thinking, I could vacuum and blow-dry my hair at the same time!

 

[mieles5380leo]

Yeah it definitely makes a good blow dryer