Kirby shake out bag maintenance

[hmc1981]

I’ve been wanting to post this for a while now, just never got to it.

Personally, I LOVE LOVE LOVE using my shake out bag Kirbys. My 511, 518, Sanitronic VII, D50, and D80. What I don’t like is having to maintain the shake out bags. I know the F&G conversion, but that takes away from the aesthetic that draws me to the machines in the first place.

So... I did some experimenting... I shared with another member a while back, but never shared with everyone. Some may think it’s stupid, and you can say that to me, I won’t get my feelings hurt.

I’ll attach pictures to illustrate...

Use a stocking. First I tried panty hose, but realized they are far too thin and although it helps, it doesn’t really keep the inside of the cloth bag clean. Well, I found some material that’s in between pantyhose and leggings, and I can say that it works beautifully! When I have to empty the machine, I do so normally and either I will use the attachment hose from another machine to clean it or just throw it in the wash (after shaking it out, of course) and reinstall.

I’ve seen zero performance impact, and a perfectly clean lining on the inner bag ever since!

What are some of the methods you all use?

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Try this...

You could do what I did to my 505 (and subsequently to my Omega and my mom's D50) and fit a new Kirby cloth HEPA bag inside, similarly how you are using the stocking.
You can empty it the regular way and replace that liner in a few years or sooner if it gets clogged, discolored or smelly.
See post 18 of this thread:
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27

I like that I can use my vintage machines and not dirty the bags all up after having been washed so clean!

 

[madman]

So all the dust goes in the stocking and you can just chuck it in the wash?

None/most of it doesn't get through to the bag?

Neat.

 

[hmc1981]

Stocking

I’ve been testing this method for a while now, trying different materials of hose, stockings, measuring (not scientifically) capacity, stretching, etc. and what I’m using does not leak any debris into the inner walls of the cloth bags. I’ve been using this method on my 511, 518, Sanitronic VII, D50, and D80 with success on all of them. Additionally, I did find some vacuum hose that could fit through the front opening of the mini emtor (slightly larger than the opening in order for it to expand and create a seal), install a fill tube adapter at the top and install a HEPA bag on my other D80 and the only issue is that I have to slide the cloth bag over everything, so replacing the HEPA bag is a bit of a hassle, but it works really well. I’ve found (for myself) that the stockings are much simpler and faster to deal with. A package of stockings cost a few dollars, can vacuum out the debris with the Electrolux and throw them in the wash. After a few washes they aren’t as sturdy so they get tossed.

 

[paul]

Chris,

Thanks for sharing your Kirby bag tip. I have a couple old Kirbys on which I can use your method, a 560 & a DS50.

Please post a photo of the material's package and tell where you purchased it.

 

[hmc1981]

Paul

You can purchase from either a Dollar General or a Dollar Tree. I’ll have to grab another package and snap a picture for you.