Horsehair bristle inserts

[ridgidwd0670]

Where can I find horsehair bristles for shop vacuum dusting brush?

1 7/8" diameter (where the hose connects) (Ridgid VT1701 dusting brush)

2 1/2" diameter (Ridgid VT2501 former part; current part now LA2501)

Also where can I find horsehair bristle inserts for Aerus/Electrolux floor brush (with 'cutouts' on front strip) It seems like EZ Vacuum no longer carries those bristle strips. I've been wanting to replace the TriStar CS's floor brush bristles because they're plastic bristles & I'm afraid to use the floor brush on walls, ceilings & tile floor with plastic bristles

Why are vac mfrs using PLASTIC bristles on bare floor tools & dusting tools?

 

[huskyvacs]

Horsehair is very expensive to make and implement in products, its why horsehair handheld brooms are like $15. I have one that's about 50 years old, the thing never wears out.

I have no idea where you can buy bulk horsehair outside of possibly a crafts store and not sure where you could even get it raw.

I guess if you really get desperate maybe finding a horsehair push broom or two and cutting the bristles off to repair what you need. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Superio-Horsehair-Broom-with-48-Wooden-Handle/43806173

Or maybe take really crappy and ruined old Electrolux dusting brushes and straighten them out and use their horsehair (I think it's horsehair anyway). I always loved how soft they were.

 

[ridgidwd0670]

Here are the shop vac dusting brushes with those crappy plastic bristles

1⅞" brush on left

2½" brush on right

I'm going to do a renovation job in the dining & living rooms & can't afford to ruin the fine wood baseboards & crown moldings after I'm done

Then I'm going to expand the garage later this yr

 

[rowdy141]

Manufacturers use plastic as a substitute for everything; wood, fabric, leather, metal... We shouldn't be surprised that bristles followed suit. Nylon/Polyester plastic bristles are of course so much cheaper and easier to manufacture. They also appeal to customers who don't want animal products of any kind.

You can sometimes rejuvenate plastic bristles by immersing them in WARM water to soften them, then allowing to dry around a former - a plastic tube on the inside and waxed paper wrap on the outside, held in place with rubber bands or tape, to keep them in shape until dry.

I have restored a vacuum dusting brush by replacing all the plastic bristles with horsehair ones.

Get replacement bristles from a large 'Real Bristle' paintbrush or find an old Electrolux Dusting Brush on eBay and grab the bristles from that.

Tip: Wash real bristles with warm water and hair shampoo.
Finish with a good hair conditioner. Comb into shape.