Kirby 561....

[fantomfan57]

Hi, just came back from picking a Kirby. In the pictures below, the first is the Craigslist Ad that appeared yesterday. I was wondering which bag was on it and just how correct everything was on it. Wasn't till I got there I noticed...THE BAG! It is on backwards so I did not notice the logo!

The guy was in the process of moving and had mentioned that in the ad. Basically one less item to pack. He told me it had belonged to his husband. I have yet to unpack the bag and look through the accessories box. The book is in bad shape. The vacuum and the accessories box are covered in a thin layer of gray dust.

So now begins another clean up.

Any ideas, tips or suggestions? All are welcome.

 

[kloveland]

Great find! The logo looks good and not badly faded. The 560 and 561 are some of my favorites. I just added a 562 to my collection this weekend.

 

[kloveland]

Be careful with the bag. Washing it can wash the logo right off. I’d just clean it up without washing it.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks,

Kenny, I will be careful with it. I will be starting in a few minutes to vacuum the dust off of everything. When I removed the book, an open package of "Rug Doctor" belts fell out...made for Kirby vacuums. I will make sure to use the correct belt on the unit.

He did say he plugged it in before listing it and said I could try it out. But there was moving activity going on and I wanted to get back home. (to explore my new treasure).

 

[suckolux]

What a great find! Those early models due to their looks lighter weight and size I really think I could live with just one of those as my only vacuum instead of 24

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

The bag on yours looks to be in good shape. I just used a dusting brush and vacuumed outside and inside of the bag twice.
The tools are nice to have even if the box is toast. I have some 519 tools but no 560 or 561.
Oh no water on the bag. Keep it as far away from water as possible.
I could live with using a 560 or 561 the have just enough power and the trim is aesthetically pleasing.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks to all....

...that responded. Thanks for sharing in my new to me Kirby.
Now, on with the show.

Be safe out there.

 

[gmkubancsek]

Congratulations!

Here is my 561. I use it almost daily - I am somewhat sentimental about it - its as old as I am (sometimes it runs better than I do) I know it is not original but I wanted a red color theme for it. Enjoy your 561!!

 

[fantomfan57]

Update...

Took the advice about the bag, first I took it outside, next placed a copier box lid under the emptor, using gloves, dust mask and apron, I removed sand, fur and dust by pulling it out in clumps. MAN, was a chore. Removed it from the emptor (carefully), gently pulled it inside out and walked out into the yard and shook out leftover stuff. I then laid it on the metal work table outside and used a hand broom to brush off more leftovers.

Inside the garage, I vacuumed inside and out thoroughly, put it aside until I got the emptor and body cleaned up.

I love it! I re-felted the emptor and found a screw for the emptor Sweetaire hole. Now I want to find a grey cord with red ends.

Yes, I will provide a before and after. No, I will not mirror finish it.
Thanks.

 

[fantomfan57]

Okay,

Cleaned up 561. I still want new grey wheels and may take a cord from one of my other machines. I like the grey cord with the red ends for this machine. Oh, and a correct Sweetaire port screw. The hole is a smaller diameter than the other machines(?).

The cord on here is from a newer Classic II, I think.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

The bag turned out great. The grey wheels look good. I scrubbed my wheels got my wheels looking brand new. The sweet air port is the same.
The red really pops and the red cord actually looks original.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Looks really nice!

Not sure if the hair you pulled from the bag was pet or human hair. If at any point the bag starts to smell musty or worse from pet dander, Clorox,(no bleach!) has an aerosol product called " 4 in one disinfecting spray" Citrus scent that can be lightly sprayed on the inside of bag and outside being careful around the Kirby label so as not to get too wet or wet at all I should say.

There are other brands, I just like the citrus scent and the fact that it kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. 561 and 562 are a couple of my faves. They are near the end of the 500 style Kirbys and like the Sanitronics that followed, they benefit from all the improvements and changes made coming up through the 500 series that ran over 20 yrs of manufacture. Enjoy!

 

[fantomfan57]

THAT'S....

what I forgot to mention, no odor. Is it possible the dust & stuff was so old that it went neutral? :}

 

[kirbyklekter]

Possibly...but if down the road some odor presents itself you could sprinkle some baking soda into the bag and shake it around, let it sit for a while,then dump it out. If you don't detect any odor now you're probably okay. Hopefully. Germs are a concern and if I can't wash the bag that's when I reach for something that can be used on fabric that kills germs.

I've heard of putting the bag in an old pillow sack and running it for 20 minutes or so in the dryer. Definitely need to remove the emptor first, but the heat could eliminate a lot of germs.I think your okay, looks like it's had a decent life and will only get better now!