Emptying a Rainbow Vacuum

[atrac]

This is probably a dumb question, but here goes -- where do you guys empty your Rainbow vacuum? I purchased one a few months ago (from a Thrift Store) and haven't used it yet, simply because I don't know where to empty it. I am guessing it's going to pick up a lot of cat hair, kitty litter, and other debris around my place.

I live in an apartment building -- I can't imagine it's good for a sink. ANY sink really. My laundry room doesn't have a big sink either.

Am I missing something? I'd really like to use it, but I don't see myself dumping it on the street, in a dumpster, or around the corner.

Help!

And thanks.

 

[williamr1248]

emptying a Rainbow

Bill,
Boy did you come to the right place. I have been emptying mine down the toilet for 18 years.
(1) NOW when you start using the Rainbow and you have a lot of heavy built up dirt and fluff,I use a cheap plastic stainer and pour the water through the strainer and then dump that in the plastic trash can. I have it down so it takes less than 30 seconds to empty my Rainbow and you NEVER again have flying dust,bags or filters to buy.
(2)Another hint is to always keep the basin in the bathroom for fast fill up and diposal. I NEVER mess with drying the basin,just give it a quick rinse and you are done.
(3) I also have NEVER washed the separator more than once a month or so and my machine has stayed clean for years and years. Now if I use the Rainbow in the garage or to clean the patio floor I may clean it. Some owners just put the separator in the top rack of the dishwasher
(4) Remember to leave the machine OFF the filled water pan between uses and you will not have any problems.
You will notice the difference in the dusting after using the Rainbow for several months and you are starting with a clean machine EACH time you clean and not storing filth in your closet.
Good Luck

 

[vacuumalex]

Yeah, I always emptied mine in the toilet too. The only thing I suggest is using soft water in the basin or put some vinegar or Calgon or White King or some sort of water softner in with it if you don't have soft water. My water is naturally really hard, and sometimes even with softners, the water still leaves residue and can actually cause the separator to stick if you don't completely dry it before putting it back on. Also, I usually clean the separator after every use or two. Just check for gunk in it; and if it needs cleaned clean it! Then it should do just fine.

 

[mark40511]

I've got it down to a science........

Fill basin...........Put a couple of drops of jetdry rinse aid to make the water wetter, add a couple of drops of scent...snap it on.....vacuum......Stop after about twenty min's.......dump water in toilet......repeat.........Usually about three fills when vacuuming the entire house.......Rinse basin, put rainbow away.........let basin air dry.......

Watch the water when you're vacuuming. Don't let it get too dirty to the point where you CAN'T dump it in the toilet. After a few times using it you won't have to change the water as often........Unless you're house is just really dirty.

 

[williamr1248]

Emptying a Rainbow Vacuum

Mark,
That is a good idea to use the jet dry. I have soft water so it has not been a problem for me. I do know to always start the flushing before I dump the water.
You are correct too in when I first started using my Rainbow all the time I was very surprised at how much grit and sand it was removing that my much stronger and powerful uprights were not removing.
After he uses the Rainbow for a few months the amount of fluff and carpet fibers should deminish but he will still find a lot of sand and grit in the pan.
I too change the water about every 30 minutes or once after cleaning the main floor and then again after I clean the upstairs. It also makes it less weight to carry the machine up the stairs with the pan empty.

 

[atrac]

*Excellent* responses! I no longer have to fear my Rainbow.

Thanks guys!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Yup.. I, too, have always just flushed my Rainbow discard down the toilet. Give it a rinse or two and let it dry out.

 

[joshdonnell]

i personal kinda like the design of the Rotho bc the water container is easier to clean

 

[mark40511]

I never understood the big deal about cleaning the water basin. It's a snap. I think the older Rainbows might be a bit more difficult to clean as they are designed a little differently.

About the JetDry.........If you use it, only use a couple of drops or it will actually foam. I always put some in a dropper bottle.....The bottle JetDry comes in isn't the greatest when you want drops.

 

[trebor]

Rainbow maintenance

I have four separators, just pop a new one one before storing and put the dirty one in the dishwasher or the dishpan, whichever. I have a D4 that is spotless inside.

 

[tolivac]

for the times I have used Rainbows and other water trap vacuums-I dump the container outside.NEVER,NEVER dump it into your plumbing-eventually you can face a rather high plumbing -roto-Rooter bill.This happened to someone I knew-she lived in a trailer and kept dumping the Rainbow bin into the potty-One day what a mess!the plumber went thru 3 sawtooth spring Rooter cutter blades to clean her drain pipes.Don't do it!dump your bin outside.This would also apply to folks who have septic tanks-I don't want to use my tank as a vacuum bag!The carpet fluff and stuff WILL NOT decompose in a septic tank.You face frequent tank pumping and possibly clogged drainfeild pipes.

 

[trebor]

The Rotho has a ONE QUART water container. not going to clean much with that.

 

[williamr1248]

Emptying a Rainbow vacuum

Rex,
You made a good point. As I stated in my post,I keep a cheap plastic stainer in the bathroom and if for some reason I get a large amount of lint or dog hair in the basin I pour it through the strainer and then dump the heavy stuff in the plastic trash can. Quick and simple. It takes just a few seconds. In my house AFTER I had used the Rainbow for several months the amount of lint and carpet fuzz deminished as my Rainbow is not as harsh and aggressive as many of the new machines that depend on cheap plastic stiff brushes instead of good engineering and air flow to accomplish the job. What I find in my basin is a LOT of sand and fine grit and no bags,filters to buy.

 

[tolivac]

Don't let the fine grit and sand get into your plumbing either-thats what wore out the plumbers drain cleaner blades!thats a problem Rainbow or other water trap vacuum users face-dumping the dirty water bins.plant beds outside work well for me.I use a strainer in the sink when rinsing out the bin.Or-don't laugh let the grit dry in the bin and vacuum it out with a bagged vacuum.I have done this.same with when I use my Dysons(without the water of course)

 

[williamr1248]

emptying the Rainbow

Rex,
I was with you for part of this thread but I guess I will just have to take my chances. I have been dumping the basin for almost 25 years with no problems.
I have heard the same arguments against using a garbage disposal,automatic dishwasher and automatic washer with a septic system. I would think it would also depend on how much dirt you are dumping and of course what all you are picking up with your sweeper. As we know some non-collectors use their machines too pick up ANYTHING that will go in the hose-lol.

 

[tolivac]

I have no problems with disposer use-they are designed to shred food waste into bits small enough to dissolve or float down the drain pipe system.Grit and sand do not float--this can build up in your drainpipes.I am glad you haven't had any problems with dumping your Rainbow bin into your system.Some folks I know of have.Your home must have a really well designed drain system.I haven't had any problems with lint or dishwasher use on my system either.Since I have large plant beds around the house--I was doing what Rainbow suggests in their salesmens sayings--"Gets the dirt out of the house!"dumping the bin in the plant bed does that-and no plumbing or septic tank worries.

 

[williamr1248]

Emptying the Rainbow

Rex,
That is a good idea. We have flower beds all around the screened porch so it would be no trouble to use them. I am just too old and lazy to go outside.
We just replaced our 4 year old working Insinerator disposer. It was giving me a lot of problems with stopping up our drain. It was a middle of the line machine so I got something called "THE EVOLUTION EXCEL" Insinkerator. BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE! It has almost no vibration or noise. No more drain problems. The only downside is that it takes so much room up under the sink,but well worth every penny.
The dryer is not a problem for me. I grew up with something called a Frigidaire Filtrator dryer and you had a pan of water and lint to empty. Now that ages me!

 

[tolivac]

Sounds like the shredders in your old disposer were worn and allowing large unshredded food peices thru.for dryers I have the standard electric lint filter kind-take out the lint after each load.Hope your plant beds like the dirt your Rainbow takes out of your house-you are just putting it back where it came from.-the dirt that gets tracked in by shoes,or on clothes or your body.

 

[mmcphee]

Rainbow

If you guys are interested, Rainbow now sells a water pan strainer (Part Number R10633) to help with that exact problem. It's basically like a giant colander.