Kenmore Cleanmore home cleaning system

[luxkid1980]

This was a recent thrift store find. At first, I wasn’t sure what I found as I thought it was some type of shop vacuum. It was in the original box, but it was filthy on the outside and looked like it had been stored in an outdoor shed for quite a while. For $15, I thought I would take a gamble. Surprisingly, it cleaned up well and it works as far as I can tell and has great suction. It also came with the carpet spray nozzle, a few other vacuum floor attachments as well as the cloth dry pick up filter that was in good shape. After I cleaned it up, it looks like it probably wasn’t used but a few times. The inside tub was pretty clean!

Can anyone tell me more about this cleaner as far as when it was made and available at Sears? I was guessing last 80s or early 90s. It came with a tattered owners manual but I couldn’t find a date anywhere on it. Looks like there was an accessory called a Spraymate available for these that was like a vacuum powermate that had a rotating bearer bar. Wonder how effective those were at carpet cleaning.

Thanks!

 

[fan-of-fans]

Nice find! I saw this exact model at Habitat a few years ago, with Spraymate. I wished I could have gotten it, but it's way too big to keep around. One day I'd like to get one.

These were made by Singer/Ryobi in SC, which also made the Twin Fan uprights for Sears. These first came out in the late 1970s and were sold through the 80s and stopped sometime around 1994. That's when they were replaced by the turtle shaped cleaners which were made by Singer/Ryobi and later made by Bissell when they bought Singer's floor care line.

These can be used as a wet/dry vac and as you have the squeegee tool for wet pickup and a floor brush for dry pickup. Some models came with a full set of dry pickup attachments which looked pretty generic and plastic.

As you mention they had an optional Spraymate, which I'm told was quite effective but was very loud. Plus later in the run there was a DryMate nozzle included with some models which was the same PN that was sold with some Singer and Kenmore canisters.

Your machine in the gray and orange colors would be right around the late 80s so you're correct there. In the early 90s there was a red/black Heavy Duty model and all all black Cleanmore version. Toward the mid 90s there were gray and blue versions and a green and white version which was about the end of them before the turtles. The late 70s were blue like the rest of Sears' vacuums at the time and later in the early/mid 80s were cream and brown.

 

[luxkid1980]

Thanks! I appreciate the additional details. It seems like a well made cleaner, but does take some effort to put all the pieces together and connect the cleaner solution tubing. I only tried it out for maybe 10 minutes but it seemed to suck up the water from the carpet well.

 

[madman]

'Cleanmore' lol

It did clean up well though. Looks like brand new!

 

[rugsucker]

Sears(Singer)

Good information above and looks to be a nice and near complete machine.With real life cleaning and users the problem area was the pump at bottom of lower tank.I think I have an original box and various attachments in attic.If so that(and EVERYTHING else up there)needs to GO.

 

[luxkid1980]

Jimmy, do you have the Spraymate attachment?

 

[luxflairguy]

If anyone's near Wilmington NC I have a complete system to give away including Spraymate! Greg

 

[phaeton]

Kenmore 5 Way Cleaning System

Hello All,
There might be some interest in this Thread perhaps. The Thread has more info.
Thread Number: 35802 & Post# 385070 , Reply# 13
I have only used it to clean the carpet in one of the cars and it did a good job.
Good luck with your Kenmore Luxkid1980
Thank you for looking,
Pete

 

[rugsucker]

"have the Spraymate--?" Yes!

A quick trip to the attic found--Box(good),Spraymate(used but very low mileage),owners manuals for both vac and Spraymate(very good)2 wands and std atts(very good to new),maybe more.The power cord is similar to some Christmas lights in that it goes in outlet first and then pump cord goes on top.
Also in attic are 15 plus Dial-A-Matics,Convertible and MANY other hoses,Electrolux PN-1s with white wand,Bissell carpet cleaners(round & rectangular),100s of very assorted bags from vintage to modern and more and MORE!Most needing to go soon!!
Jimmy
423-268-4841

 

[luxkid1980]

Thanks for the pictures Pete as well as the info on the previous post. Your unit looks pretty complete! Also loved seeing the original box!

 

[luxkid1980]

Jimmy, I tried to send you an email (to the address listed in your profile here), but it came back undeliverable. Do you have an alternate?

 

[rugsucker]

"an alternate?" Yes!

Enter the following numbers on a phone and we can speak to each other with voices almost as if we were in the same room---423-268-4841.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Dust bags

The blue unit pictured above came with dust bags, don't know the bag number but they're NLA. A fit all Emerson/Rigid/etc type shop vac bag would probably fit the Cleanmore units for dry pickup.

Also, some models during the 1980s came with a set of bulk pickup attachments and larger diameter hose.

I don't think Singer ever sold a version of this under their own name, but they did have their own version of the turtle cleaner, as did Bissell.

 

[luxkid1980]

@ rugsucker

"..we can speak to each other with voices almost as if we were in the same room.."

Haha! Ok, I'll try to call you today to discuss.

 

[fan-of-fans]

So did the Spraymate purchase go through? I see there are a few Spraymates on ebay now, rather pricey on some. Plus there's a green/white machine that they want $399 for. Outrageous!! And a few "turtles" as well.

I'd love to get one of these things someday, and outfit it with all the wet/dry cleaning attachments plus the Spraymate and DryMate. I think it'd be a great machine for the cars or garage.

How loud is the machine? I'm told the Spraymates are real screamers. Almost need to wear earplugs with those going.

 

[2011hoover700]

Good morning I'm wondering if the recovery tank holds 5 gallons or just the 2 the solution tank holds.
Thanks for clearing that up.