Cloth Bag Washing?

[eurekastar]

I've always washed the inner cloth bag on my Compact/Tristar vacuums.  I hand wash with mild laundry detergent and rinse thoroughly and include a little fabric softener in the final rinse.  However, I read a few days ago that the bags should not be washed.  Does anyone have any thoughts on that?  Does washing significantly change the bag's filtration?  Thanks for any thoughts! 

 

[vacu-finder]

Bag washing

Does washing significantly change the bag's filtration?

Not really sure but i have allways washed them. Who wants a smelly old bag on a freshly reconditioned Vac...?

 

[papasvacs]

I have always washed my bags.

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Never noticed that it hurt the filtration.  I thought it would help to be clean.</span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Although, I thought I read somewhere not to use fabric softener as it is an oily substance and can clog the pores of the cloth.</span>


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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Greg F.</span>

 

[eurekastar]

I think (and can be wrong!) that fabric softener opens the pours of the fabric, allowing it to breath better. 

 

[papasvacs]

By Golly, Bill.....

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">I believe you are right and I am wrong (won't be the first or the last time!).</span>


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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">I researched "fabric softener" in previous threads and it does seem that it is recommended to make the cloth filter better.  It "opens up the fibers" has been said.</span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">I stand corrected and head off to the store to find some fabric softener!</span>


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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Thanks for the info, Bill.</span>


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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Greg F.</span>

 

[eurekastar]

Fabric Softener

That must be where I read it -- here on the forum!


 

 

[hooverboy81]

OR....

you can use "Magic Sizing", it tightens the fibers, without weighting down the bag. I've used it thousands of times with nothing but positive outcomes. When the bag is still wet, give it a nice spray down with sizing, It will work better than fabric softenter!!! Trust me!

 

[eurekastar]

Magic Sizing

I've seen that at the store.  I'll have to give it a try. 


 

 

[odile]

cloth bag washing

I recently got Mom's Model XXX Electrolux. She hadn't used it in ten years, and hadn't dumped the bag before putting the machine aside in favor of those stick vacs (which she replaced five times before going into assisted living, but that's another story.)

After "apropriating" the machine when my avaricious sister was out of the country on vacation (ha, ha!) I dragged my new treasure home, and took a whiff. No way was I going to bring that stinky monster into the house without a good cleaning!

I dumped the bag (wearing a dust mask and gloves) into the trash can, and then filled up a pan of cold water, enzymatic laundry detergent, a scoop of Borateem, and a cup of white vinegar and scrubbed away, using one of those soft rubber bristled brushes. The first panful of water got rid of most of the junk. I repeated twice, then rinsed several times, adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse. I dried it for two days in the sun.

It turned out so nice I almost hated to put it into the now-cleaned bag chamber to use the vacuum. And the suction, always good, only improved.

I'd love to get my husband to fabricate some kind of metal plate to fit behind the bag door to accept the type C disposable bags, though.

 

[anthony]

washing bags

i just bung them in the washer works a treat never had any problems

 

[davidomholt]

Cloth bags.

Wash in cold water, mild detergent, and a little baking soda. (For odors.) (Not originally my idea.) Air dry in blocked position, (like you would a wool sweater.) Replace and add some drops of odorific on a cotton ball. I have twelve Kirby's and this works well. Can someone recomend a camera so I could share pictures?

 

[kevin]

Please let me know if you have found success using Magic Sizing Spray by Agelong brand or a fabric softener on your cloth bag after washing. It would seem to me that even with no washing the bags pores would clog with all the dust after a while and lessen the suction power.