Need to clean Royal Prince bag

[human]

So I've got this Royal Prince 501 handheld that I picked up at a thrift store a few months ago for about $3. It's in really nice shape and it's just about the best cat fur sucker I've ever used. The problem is it's been used bagless and every time I use the thing it puffs out dust (and cat dander) and drives my allergies nuts. I'm thinking of getting some filter bags for it but I need to clean the inside of the bag first. I'd love to throw the cloth bag in the washing machine (perhaps along with the outer bag for my Kirby G5) but I'd need to remove the metal ring first. Is there any way to do that or am I just stuck trying to vacuum it out as best I can with another machine?

This frustration led me in the past couple of weeks to acquire a Sidekick for my Electrolux canisters but it's just not quite as good as the Royal.

 

[human]

Just a little update...

So after I posted the previous message, I decided this was a job for Super J, so I gave my newly acquired Electrolux a little workout. I vacuumed it with just the hose end and no other attachments, I've got about 98 percent of the cat hair out of it, except under the metal band. What I got out of there, I just dislodged with my fingertip and vacuumed up off the floor. The fabric of the bag is still heavily impregnated with dust and dander. I'm going to get some Royal "H" bags and see if that solves the dust problem but I'd like to get the bag itself as clean as possible first.

One thing's for certain. vacuuming with the Royal and then vacuuming it out and literally transferring the dirt from one machine to another is not a very practical approach.

 

[suckolux]

Been there, done that!

 

[vac-o-matic]

Easy fix....

I would put in the sink with warm water and some Gain detergent and hand wash it. We used Gain at the Oreck store where I worked and did a lot of hand bag washes for the customers, especially those that reeked of pet smells. We used the original scent Gain which did a good job, and emitted a wonderful light scent of clean when used. I have two 501s and the very last I believe of the metal models, the 5000. One was purchased for my mom I think in '83 as she had a cat, and also carpeted steps that led down to her beauty shop, and she loved it. I have kept that one for sentimental reasons. The second 501 was from an estate sale, complete with box, tools, etc., and didn't look like it had been used much, the brushroll bristles were still white. The 5000 was an ebay purchase with the maroon trim, and that one stays plugged in at the end of my couch, as I have a shedding dog. I have washed the bags as above with great success, and always use an "H" bag liner, and no dust/smell issues. Those metal models are workhorses and used better bag material than the later plastic models.

 

[human]

Clean and good to go

I cleaned the cloth bag and the paper toss out bags arrived today. I got nine bags for $15 and free shipping on eBay (five times what I paid for the vac itself, but who's counting). Looking at the packaging, they appear to be NOS from about 1989 or shortly thereafter. It works great with the toss out bag in place and one thing that shouldn't have surprised me but did, it's quieter with the bag acting as sort of a muffler.

 

[ubergreenguru]

Hi! I recently acquired two Royal Prince 501 Hand Vacuums for my collection... And I am wondering if washing the cloth bags in warm water w/ mild detergent will cause any harm to the metal ring around the bag opening?

I just don't want the metal ring to rust or corrode or leave rust stains on the beautiful blue cloth bags!

If anyone can help offer me some words of wisdom, it would be sincerely appreciated!

Thanks!
~Justin in Chicago

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

Gain is made by proctor and gamble. Tide is made by proctor and gamble.
Dawn is made by proctor and gamble. Joy is made by proctor and gamble.
There too of the line in detergent and dish soap. Tide is better and dawn is better.
I washed every small vac bag in a washing machine. My washer has no agitator.
Just down put them in the dryer.
If any rust is on any metal steel wool easily gets it off.
Get compact envirocare bags with a rubber band works as a bag.
I have a eureka mighty mite that has a bag that is cloth and can be shook out. It's sealed so it doesn't leak dirt.

 

[human]

Yes, just hang them to dry and wipe away any excess water from the ring with a towel. Rust should not be a problem. Ferrous metals rust with prolonged exposure to water, especially in the presence of salts. but brief exposure won't hurt them.

Kind of amusing to see a thread I started five years ago resurface like this.

 

[rivstg1]

ubergreenguru

If you want to wash it, then I'd suggest, for best protection, to clean the metal and then wax it, THEN feel good about watching the material and greatly minimizing water damaging the metal.

 

[ubergreenguru]

Thank you very much for your replies, everyone!

I feel much better about giving my Royal Prince 501 bags a good 'ol hand washing in the tub!

Let me get my two 501's cleaned up & put back together, and I'll make a formal post with some good pictures to show off these beautiful little machines!