how often should i replace the bag?

[jake1234]

when should I replace the bag on some of my bagged vacuums? should I wait for the bag check indicator to go to replace? or should I replace the bag when I think its full?

 

[jmurray01]

NEVER wait for the bag check indicator. Replace the bag when it gets to 1/2 full, or 3/4 at the very most.

 

[vacuumlover]

As Jmarray said.

Don't fill it right up as it will put strain on the motor

 

[vintagerepairer]

Replace when you can stand the smell no longer.

 

[sebo_fan]

Sorry but I don't always keep a watch on a dust bag - I usually leave mine until they have viewable dust at the opening. Same with the now vintage vacs that my parents and my grand parents owned - they tended to ram them full of dirt until it was time to change the bags - and yes, with a bottom fill dust bag such as those on Hoover Senior or certain Junior models always resulted in a lot of mess, albeit using the suggested method of emptying dust onto a newspaper laid on a carpet or hard floor.

 

[turbo500]

Changing the bag when it's 1/2 full is ridiculously wasteful. It varies from cleaner to cleaner and design to design as to when the bag needs changing. For example, the top fill Sebo bags can be absolutely packed solid...like a brick..and it won't lose suction. Other designs can usually be filled to about 3/4 - 4/5 fill with a little "breathing space" at the top before it needs changing.

 

[suckolux]

For me, and I know this is vague? I normally change the bag when the sound of the air flow changes?Dusty conditions it can easily be half a bag, but not most times. At my mom's apt, there is a lot of dust/ dry skin, they never make it to half bag. At home here if its say my Miele, it works to full.The hepa bags in my Silverado, mostly full, when I used the paper, they were done at half for sure. I guess this means judge your own machine at your place?

 

[electroluxxxx]

I usually go until I notice a drastic drop in air flow performance

 

[mark40511]

The type C Electrolux

bags are so freaking cheap it's ridiculous. Literally 35$ for 100 bags on ebay. I change mine when it's about 1/2 to 3/4 full. I couldn't imagine nor have I ever seen a vacuum bag so full it felt like a brick. The fresh bag has better suction, although it still seems to have decent airflow even at 1/2 to 3/4 full. I recently bought these vacuum scent tabs that neutralize bag odor and it's amazing turning the vacuum on with a 3 week old bag and no smell at all other than the scent of the vacuum tab.....so maybe because of that I won't change them quite as often as I used to.

 

[turbo500]

Well Mark, you've obviously never used a Sebo. The bag is top fill and the filter runs up the side of the bag, not underneath it, so there is no drop in performance as the bag fills. It's completely full and solid by the time you need to empty it.

 

[sebo_fan]

Well said Chris. I also find the same with Henry HEPA FLO dust bags. They can be absolutely packed with dirt until they require to be emptied. I wouldn't dream of throwing the bag out if it was only three quarters full.

I suppose it depends on what kind of vacuum is being used and what kind of dirt the vacuum in question is picking up. High synthetic dust bags are well known to choke up early when plaster dirt or talcum like powder is continually being picked up.

 

[kirbylux77]

Chris

I think Mark was referring to the Electrolux Type C canister bags in his post above. Those Electrolux bags can get packed like a brick too, just like the Sebo bags. I'm sure Mark didn't mean to offend you.

Nar - "High synthetic dust bags are well known to choke up early when plaster dirt or talcum like powder is continually being picked up." That all depends on what kind of cleaner is used & the bag compartment design as well. I have never found Miele's AirClean bags to choke up & lose suction early if fine powders or lots of dust is picked up. Same with the Hoover Windtunnel canisters that use the Type S bag in them....they also seem to handle fine dust & powder rather well too without suction dropping off too much.

As for the question at hand, I do the same as Mike does above, wait until I see a noticeable drop in airflow & suction in my cleaners. And one thing I have gotten into the habit of doing, whether it be upright or canister, is I will take the hose off EVERY TIME I go to use it, & check the suction by hand before I use it to clean. I also do this with bagless cleaners, & only empty the bin & clean the pre-filter (if dirty enough) when I see a drop in suction or the bin is full right to the max line.

Rob

 

[sebo_fan]

Well, each to their own.

"I have never found Miele's AirClean bags to choke up & lose suction early if fine powders or lots of dust is picked up."

Sadly I have already found Miele's new AirClean bags to choke early. When I had my new central heating installed last year, the copper wires that had to be cut for the radiators left terrible fine orange dust all around my bathroom. I still have orange coloured bonding now. The dust choked the bag and the Miele bag in question was barely half full. Miele aren't alone here though; the bag in my SEBO X can often choke if I'm picking up wood cuttings/fine shavings.

Miele's newer and current user manuals for their cylinder/canister vacs still points out that builders dust can clog up their dust bags, regardless of the newer AirClean design. It may be just a warning but in some realities, high filtration choking dust bags can occur.

 

[pinkge]

Bag change and bag smell...

I usually change the filter bag when it is half full,but,I've been known to go 3/4 full.

 

[loganvac]

My Versamatic never looses suction until the bag is absolutely completely full. It's a Sebo, so those of you who use Sebo machines like me know this.

 

[mark40511]

I understand some of you pack the bags

full, and that's OK...I'm not complaining. But may I ask, would this shorten the lift of the motor? It just feels like a vacuum would have to work much harder with an almost packed full bad, even though it hasn't lost airflow/suction? I dunno.

 

[sebo_fan]

Well not all vacuums are the same. The airflow channel in a SEBO upright usually has compensators or rather, sections that have been designed to allow for bags to fill up WITHOUT putting strain on the motor. Same with a lot of modern uprights I've owned in the past - a non-removable and non-adjustable air outlet valve on the back allows for air relief that puts less strain on the motor.

 

[suckolux]

Mark, not to argue with your use of the bags at all, promise. But all the paper C style bags I have used leaked pretty badly for me.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

You mean leak dust? I see that in even hepa bags. I use generic Electrolux bags when i dont have my original genuine pack handy. Seem to last longer. i always keep one of each style for my display, though