filter cleaning test

[rivstg1]

This is an experiment for cleaning filters and reusing them. A test...for fun...its a hobby....

With that disclaimer, after reading Vaclab's cleaning and reusing HEPA cloth bags on Kirbys, and trying it out, seemingly with great results, I endeavored to see if the FQ's cone could be reused effectively. After using the vacuum 2-3 times, I noticed, (what I had previously read about), a bit of 'caking' of the finer dust ...to the cone, and after flicking it with my finger, it largely falls off...into the basin where the bigger clumps of dust/hair etc are. It was been told that this procedure will help reclaim some of the airflow 'lost' when the dust collects on the filter.

So, I decided to go further.....and blow out the filter to assist in further recapturing lost airflow ( I was already cleaning some newly acquired vac bags outside my garage anyway in preparation of washing them). It again, seemed to work great....using the vacuum another 1-2 times and observing what was being picked up....led me to believe that it hadn't lost anything in terms of airflow. Next, I really spent some time blowing it out....more thoroughly than before....by putting the filter up to the sunlight to see through it....and using compressed air ...I could blow it clean really.....was perfectly white again!

Yes, the cones aren't that expensive relatively speaking, but , it can be done if one doesn't want to buy more at a given time...or its inconvenient /not timely in acquiring more, or if you're just frugal ! haha NOTE: some say the fb's filters aren't that good.....I think they are wrong for sure....by the testing of the charcoal inner filter ( see picture) that sits inside the Cone filter. This black filter for killing odors was perfectly clean....I blew it out as well and positioned my work so that the sunlight would illuminate anything coming out. Nothing. If the outer white cone was too porous....dust would have made its way into the black filer cone.....it didn't.

Count me impressed.

Kelton

 

[relhall]

Might be easier to bring that air compressor inside the house for cleaning and dusting eliminating the need for a vacuum altogether. A light breeze through some open doors to evacuate the contaminants. Who needs a vacuum if you have an indoor ...


Wait, this is gross. Did you have a mask on? Please say so.


I've heard of "going green" but there has to be a line to not cross lest we begin to rinse out garbage bags, hang paper towels to dry, never buy another toothbrush or skip doing the laundry. Where does it stop?


Please go buy (extra) bags/cones/filters and find another hobby.



This makes me so nervous for some reason but to each his own ~

 

[huskyvacs]

Although a bit rude, relhall does have a point. There's only so many times you can blow them out before you destroy the fibers within the paper or they clog up.

I mean a lot of these bags and filters cost less than $10, it's not that big a deal to buy more. I get all my vacuum bags at Goodwill, maybe I'm just lucky but I always find vacuum bags and belts there. I can buy 5 packs with usually 1-2 bags missing for 75 cents. One time I got a 25-pack bulk pack of Oreck CC bags for $8.

I can understand it if it's a rare bag or filter type that costs a lot and you only use the vacuum occasionally, but for common stuff, it takes more time to do this than to just pitch it in the bin.

I mean you wouldn't do this to your furnace filters would you? Mine cost $60 a pop and even I don't do this.

I did do this before though to a Eureka Optima's filter in 2017 to stretch some more life out of it. It blew up in a dust cloud and was still dirty, but it did get it 60% better than it was. I later found a new filter last year on Walmart's clearance aisle for $3.00 and it rang up at the register as 50 cents. New old stock forgotten in a back room since 2010.

Vacuum bags & belts aren't as expensive as you think they are, and they do need to be maintained with those parts so they can continue to perform at their best.

 

[rivstg1]

relhel:  what was the sarcastic point of bringing semi nasty cleaning INSIDE the house? why would one vacuum in the first place then? I don't think myself as 'green'...at all.  You want me to find another hobby???? what's wrong with using/restoring/aka playing with vacuums?? this site is based on the that very idea of appreciating them and sharing with others. ????


So, since you didn't/wouldn't do any kind of experimenting with vacuum cleaning efficiency (your admission ...since you seemingly have distain for me doing so)? So am I and a dozen others on this site 'wrong' for doing so?   What hobby SHOULD we have instead?  What else am not supposed to do?


 


huskyvacs:  what relative/meaningful point did he make? that doing a test on filters was a waste of time? not worth it?  should none of us bother with doing other tests on our vacs? is it wrong to make an experiment on something...to see if something can last longer than the manufacturer said it could/should ?  I never claimed bags/filters have limitless cleaning endurance, I agree with your statement on their limits.  ok, since you must know apparently, I do have the $ for bags and filters for my vacs.  Should I base what I do or where I spend $ on what YOU would do?  "Mine cost $60 a pop and even I don't do this".  Can I choose if I want to use my bags only half way before throwing them away? how about 1/4 the way? or even over the line that's on the bag? Apparently, and I didn't know this, I need to do only what YOU would do.


 


 


sheesh fellas, whats the big deal here, reread what you all wrote.... I can't believe you are attacking an experiment that doesn't hurt/destroy anything.  

 

[relhall]

I do apologize.

I did not mean to ruffle any feathers.

Perhaps my sarcasm did not translate well in text. Not meant to be rude at all.

My apologies ~

 

[kirbylux77]

Kelton

I hate to break it to you, but Robert's point was 100% valid, & I don't think he was even remotely rude or condescending in any way! Was he being a little sarcastic? Yes, but only to make his point how filthy cleaning & re-using bags & filters are.

You need to calm down a bit here! Robert wasn't trying to judge or criticize ANYONE. All he did was make a valid point....one I happen to agree with....and you would have blown up at anyone who said anything about it. Please, do us all a favor & grow a pair of b___s & start acting like the mature 51 year old man you are, not a little boy!

Rob

 

[rivstg1]

responding....


relhel: okay, thank you, no worries now, I might have overreacted. To answer your question:, "...Where does it stop? " Here, just at this experiment.

huskyvacs: I haven't found those deals you've run into, I"m sorry if I came down to harshly on you too.
"but for common stuff, it takes more time to do this than to just pitch it in the bin." I agree


Rob: I can appreciate your helpful criticism until your last lines. I don't have a history of being easily offended. Look at my history posts, I've never 'blown up' on anyone. yes, his point on the activity I described my be considered dirty...okay, he didn't just make a point on how filthy cleaning and re-using bags were, the insinuation also was that I or anyone else doing so really shouldn't("go get another hobby')...and that I must have a problem in doing so ( again, insinuation, not literal) and I wrote at the top... this is just experiment…not a lifestyle. If someone were to write, ' wow, I wouldn't do that with bags/filters...thats too dirty, but, whatever...." that would understandable and to YOUR point....but that wasn't what happened. to each their own, eh?