FILTACLEAN at Lakeland

[sebo_fan]

As a seasonal buyer at Lakeland stores, I see they have a new "filter sock" selling which effectively is claimed to be a microfilter that goes over a pleated paper filter cone to trap dust.

What they claim:

"Protect the filter in your bagless vacuum cleaner with this simple, cut-to-fit cover. Placed over the filter, it acts as a pre-filter to catch all the dust, preventing it from clogging up your machine’s more expensive, more difficult-to-clean pleated filter. It also reduces loss of suction, blockages and ultimately extends the life of your filter and overall vacuum performance.

Suitable for use with all pleated filters. Cut to size."

I don't quite know what to make of it...

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/23861/Filtaclean

 

[vintagerepairer]

Well it will clog even more quickly, that's what. But it will be much easier to clean.

 

[turbo500]

Not a bad idea, but they should sell it on a roll. Like cling film. So that when it comes to emptying the vacuum, instead of having to faff around banging or brushing the filter clean, you just pull off the cover, chuck it in the bin and put a new one on.

 

[blackheart]

Strange

I agree with Benny, it will cause a faster loss of airflow. It has less surface area than the filters it will be covering which will result in a faster loss of airflow.

 

[sebo_fan]

An interesting response, but the filter is quite thin to the eye. I know in some ways it can cut some air flow but I wouldn't expect that much on the basis that there are filters already like this on the market with certain vacuums that have a sheath over them. Of course, even with these filters, you're still touching the dirt if it doesn't fall out the moment you open up the bin.

I remember my original Electrolux Ergorapido had something similar, a 3 part filter with a central HEPA cone, then a washable sock like material (cue the Filtaclean) and then a snap over/twist mesh filter. Back in the day I remember the Ergorapido didn't have bad suction either but was more of a problem with the rest of the stick than the actual cordless power.

 

[adamthemieleman]

I'm not sure either, personally it looks like the 'college' ruled paper out of notebooks.

 

[spiraclean]

Nice idea, as it would stop the coarse dirt becoming compacted in between the folds of the cone filter (something HEPA type filters were never intended to do in the first place, but I digress). Any finer dust that makes its way through will still need to be tapped or brushed off though, and you'll still get your hands dirty when taking the sleeve off in order to dispose of it. So while there is some benefit, this type of cleaner will always be a hassle to maintain no matter what you do to it.

I do wonder if those who pay out for these filters, only to throw them away at each emptying, will eventually realise they're not much better off than they would have been using bags. Both are going to end up in the bin anyway, so may as well go for the low maintenance option.