I just don't like bagless vacuums.....

[mihi]

A couple of years ago I bought my daughter a re-furbished Bissell bagless upright from Big Lot's for about $40. It's a bagless design but has about 5 filters total in it.
Well, when these filters get clogged up over time, they have to be cleaned. Its a retty disgusting job I might add and it takes quite some time to do it. It's sitting in my garage right now waiting for me to get the time to clean the darn thing.

I gave my daughter a Kenmore upright to use in the mean-time, this is one I picked-up at Goodwill a few weeks back for $10. I did a little work to it (belt, new bags and filters and general clean-up) and it works great. It has a bag, a small filter after the bag but before the motor, and then a HEPA filter after the motor. Its a pretty good vac, I really like it. And I hope she likes it too and will want it instead of this Bissell because I'm tired of cleaning the Bissell. No more bagless vacs for me!

 

[vintagehoover]

The only cyclonic bagless system that actually works to an acceptable degree is Dyson's.

Other bagless cleaners rely on filters to hold back the dirt - and these often have a smaller surface-area than a bag would. They clog quickly, and unless you wash them each time, they remain clogged when you empty the canister. Essentially, it's like emptying and re-using the same bag over and over again.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I agree

We all used bags for years... and no one died from "cleaner dust"

 

[turboace]

Don't forget

Even the dyson can loose suction, this one did! The owners manual actually says to "avoid fine dust" Only bags for me.

 

[vintagehoover]

Yes, but...

...no domestic vacuum cleaner is really designed to handle plaster dust, etc - I think this was discussed earlier this week on another thread. Bag cleaners clog just as quickly.

Earlier examples of the DC07 did suffer from a design flaw in the root cyclone assembly which caused them to clog, as in the picture above. This was modified on later examples, and is no longer a problem.

Also, all models since the DC07 have a root cyclone system which is MUCH easier to keep clean - you don't have to unscrew anything to get at them, and you can just vacuum them out with another cleaner if they ever become clogged (a problem I've yet to encounter).

 

[rolls_rapide]

DC07 clogging

They were terrible for clogging: even with ordinary house dust.

Early versions had a structure at the top of the inner cylindrical tube, shaped like a Mercedes-Benz badge. This was a guide for the trapdoor release shaft.

Fine fluffy dust got caught on this structure, allowing more and more of the dust to accumulate next to the small cyclones.

You really had to batter the cyclone unit to shake it free. (I had one).

 

[mihi]

I might try a Dyson when they.....

when they come out on the used market at $100 or less. Probably much less knowing me. till then though, the bags are real easy to deal with. I can't figure out why they've gone into dis-favor with most people. But its putting a lot of good bag vacs in Goodwill and places like that, and I'm picking them up for from $4 to $12 each.

Are there any other good bag-less vacs besides the Dyson?

 

[electroluxxxx]

in my honest opinion I prefer Fantom. I use a fantom Cyclone xt as my daily driver and i absolutely love. Air flow and suction are really good and yet I have to encounter a loss of suction and clogging. I have not encountered any from normal use.

 

[thunderhexed]

Bagless....

My parents used a Kirby Heritage for over 30 years, and during that time, it was used during three COMPLETE home renovations. The bags changed regularly, outer bag washed on occasion, and tune ups performed about every three to 5 years. The vacuum never failed. Three years ago dad bought mom a Dyson. About a month ago, they asked if they could have one of my Kirbys. They don't like the Dyson. They don't like the attachment set up, and they have had to completely tear the machine down at least three times so far to clean it out due to clogging. Bagged for me all the way...

 

[ohio_tuec]

Dyson clogging

I disagree. I have a DC 15 "The Ball" animal, and when I took the cyclone apart, it looked exactly like the DC07 cyclone assembly above. Now granted, the previous owner of the cleaner used carpet fresh. Even so, I think most people will agree it's ALOT easier to simply throw away a disposable bag when it fills with fine dust then have to go through the hassle of dismantling and washing the cyclone assembly. Also, I have to say Dyson has a horrible customer service helpline here in the U.S. I called several weeks ago trying to order parts for the machine. They refuse to sell me the parts I need. The reason? Because I live in New York state, and they can't charge me the necessary sales tax. So they tell me either have the parts shipped somewhere out of New York (not an option), or I have to go through a third party vac shop, who will take their cut and charge me possibly double or triple the actual cost of the parts. So, in a nutshell, Dyson left me in the dust....

 

[vintagehoover]

'Now granted, the previous owner of the cleaner used car

Well there's your problem right there! It was used for a purpose it wasn't designed for, and now it doesn't work right. That's like using an Electrolux XXX to unclog a sink, then complaining it's broken!

I do agree that emptying a bagged cleaner is much less messy. However, when I'm not emptying a Dyson canister, I'm shaking out a Hoover cloth bag onto a sheet of newspaper, so it doesn't make much difference to me!

 

[electroluxkirby]

Bagless For Me

I won't go back to bagless. I've had a couple Dirt Devils, but the only problem I had with them is after awhile the handle wouldn't lock and was constantly falling down if not propped up against something.

I'm just hooked on Kirby and Electrolux, and I don't mind changing bags at all. Shortly after I moved into the house I'm in I bought a case of one hundred bags for the Electrolux off of eBay (about 5 years ago) and have 39 bags left out of the hundred. I think I only paid $35.00 for the case and got free shipping because I chose buy it now option. I don't go through many Kirby bags maybe 4 or 5 a year.

 

[air-waycharlie]

I'll consider owning a Dyson when James comes out with a bagged model--not until!

Give me bags any day of the week. It was the superb filtration of the original Air-Way wood pulp cellulose bag that put them on the map and then they sold millions.

They were even recommended by allergists and ads were found in the back of magazines up until the 1980's recommending them for people that had asthma, breathings issues, etc.

Has Dyson or any other bagless vacuum been recommended by doctors? Probably only the Rainbow to my knowledge.

Charlie W.

 

[vintagehoover]

Hi Charlie - several Dyson models do come with The British Allergy Foundation's 'Seal of Approval' in the UK, and are certified 'Asthma Friendly' by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. I wonder if these awards are given on the proviso that someone else empties the machine!

I think Dyson are planning to bring out a bagged cleaner; it's called the 'It Finally Snowed in Hell Commemorative Edition'!

 

[air-waycharlie]

Jack,

I can't wait to see the "IFSIHCE" by Dyson! It will be revolutionary worldwide.

Where do I sign up for one? At the, "it finally snowed in hell", Dyson desk?