Information on a Handy-way Sani-Clean canister vacuum?

[iamanalog]

I have a vacuum here that my Fiancees grandmother must of bought back somewhere around the 50-60s. She was the type to just buy things, keep it in the box and never get around to using it.
I've been trying to gather some information on this vacuum but it seems to be a bit scarce. From what I've gathered is that HandyWay vacuums where made by Airway back in the 50-60's. But I can't find concrete information on that.
The model we have has a serial number of 022152. As far as I know everything is still here in the box, It's the original box. The bags say sani-clean on it.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

We need Tom Gasko, Tania Voigt, and Charlie Watrous to give us a hand here. They are out residential AirWay experts!
Andy

 

[suckolux]

I would guess 70s

 

[kenkart]

Much newer than you think,

We sold these in the early 80s, I'm using one right now,One of the lightest most powerful vacumms you could ever want, It uses Air Way bags, if I'm not mistaken these sold for 299.95 in 83 and 84 when I was working for Hilltop Vacuum in Boone NC, we also sold AirWay 88s, Princess 2, Metropolitian Turbotronic, and Panasonics..The AirWay was then 699.95.At the same time I sold Rainbows D-3s were 734.95 full price back then.

 

[collector2]

Is the power nozzle with the machine? I see the power hose but not it, although its pictured on the book

 

[rugsucker]

Handy Way

Good information from Hans.
Amazing find of a quality 'stove pipe with a motor in it'style.Other available colors included blue/white and all chrome.The was even a stick vac style in red/white/blue with power nozzle connected directly to vac and a long handle at the blower end.
Dating hint-Anything showing a Zip(zone improvement plan)Code is 1963 or newer.

 

[dysonman1]

Hans is, as always, correct. We were still selling that yellow Handy Way cleaner brand new in the late 1980's. It does take Air-Way bags and filters.

 

[dysonman1]

I am still using my all-chrome Handy Way in 2025. While the Sani Clean did take the same bag and filter as the Air-Way, the two companies are not connected and never were. Handy Way was a company out of Illinois. The owner of Handy Way was a former salesman for the Air-Way Sanitizor. Air-Way briefly offered a lighter weight and more economical model called the Priscilla, made for Air-Way by Royal. This was at the same time the Sanitizor 88 was made by Eureka for Air-Way. The Handy Way was basically a copy of the Priscilla, made more powerful and more modern, and with a power nozzle. I thought (and continue to think) the Handy Way was an excellent machine. Especially for the price. The all chrome model was designed primarily for in-home demonstrations. The painted models were designed primarily for retail stores like vacuum shops. When the owner of the Handy Way Company passed away, Air-Way bought the tooling as well as the name Sani Clean from the estate. This led to the black and white Sani Clean that is a product of Air-Way. Interesting that in all manifestations, the Douglas power nozzle was used.

 

[centralsweeper63]

Very cool!