people are so wastefull!!!
- Thread starter jake1234
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human
Well-known member
Some of my best vacuum cleaners have been trash finds. Sadly, we live in a disposable society. We need to live more frugally if we want our resources to last for future generations.
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
I bet someone decided they didn't want to look for bags anymore and just threw it out and bought a bag-less. What a shame.
luxkid1980
Well-known member
Yes, I often find donated vacuums at local thrift stores with very minor issues, sometimes nothing wrong at all. Just a full bag or missing belt. At least taking them to a thrift store is better than relegating them to the trash heap because they can't be bothered with replacing the bag or belt.
jp10558
Member
Given that bags are far less work (if you want the darn thing to keep working) vs bagless and cleaning everything, and that you can get pretty much any on Amazon now adays (i.e. it's no work to get them) I really don't get why people are so against it.
I.e. I got an Oreck Dual Air air purifier because the truman cell never needs replacing* ... But what they forgot to mention is what a PITA it is to clean such that it keeps working. At least with a filter, I throw the old one out, and put the new one in. (Then again, the bags and the filters in this case are also going in the trash, you still contribute to the landfills somewhat)...
As to thrift stores, My family, and I to some extent, are worried about getting an "icky" used vacuum. Who know's what's in there. But it is cheaper.
I.e. I got an Oreck Dual Air air purifier because the truman cell never needs replacing* ... But what they forgot to mention is what a PITA it is to clean such that it keeps working. At least with a filter, I throw the old one out, and put the new one in. (Then again, the bags and the filters in this case are also going in the trash, you still contribute to the landfills somewhat)...
As to thrift stores, My family, and I to some extent, are worried about getting an "icky" used vacuum. Who know's what's in there. But it is cheaper.
luxkid1980
Well-known member
The way I see it, germs are all around us, all the time, on most surfaces. A simple cleaning of a used vacuum from a thrift store is usually all that is required. Lysol and similar products (even soap and water) will clean up most grime. Don't be scared! 
We toss "perfectly good" vacs any time a customer brings in a unit and mentions certain key words, "fleas" being fairly common (sometimes even from homes without pets!)
I had a lady bring a vac in recently stating that her home had just been treated for some type of infectious/toxic mold, but she wanted us to "do her vacuum" for her. It only took a glance of concern, from me to her, for her to realize that this vacuums life was over. It's just not worth it ... and it was a new-ish $700 vacuum, covered in something ...
If you're not certain, especially with road-side finds, sequester it until it's cleaned - outside, with a pressure washer and lots of WD-40
The risk is yours ~
I had a lady bring a vac in recently stating that her home had just been treated for some type of infectious/toxic mold, but she wanted us to "do her vacuum" for her. It only took a glance of concern, from me to her, for her to realize that this vacuums life was over. It's just not worth it ... and it was a new-ish $700 vacuum, covered in something ...
If you're not certain, especially with road-side finds, sequester it until it's cleaned - outside, with a pressure washer and lots of WD-40
The risk is yours ~
luxkid1980
Well-known member
Certainly items covered in mold should be avoided. Some of those can be very toxic and hazardous to your health!
my trash found Henry
No mold in sight on this, but as stated its a disposable world. As kirbyvertibles said its highly likely that someone just didnt want to keep buying bags. And whats more is it is a fairly new Henry and it even has the two speed motor. I might add that it did get a wipe down aswell though. To be perfectly honest though, the charity shops here majorly over price the vacuums to the point where you can find a better bargain at the tip where this numatic came from. I have seen vacuum cleaners in charity shops marked up to so much cash that they were cheaper when new!
No mold in sight on this, but as stated its a disposable world. As kirbyvertibles said its highly likely that someone just didnt want to keep buying bags. And whats more is it is a fairly new Henry and it even has the two speed motor. I might add that it did get a wipe down aswell though. To be perfectly honest though, the charity shops here majorly over price the vacuums to the point where you can find a better bargain at the tip where this numatic came from. I have seen vacuum cleaners in charity shops marked up to so much cash that they were cheaper when new!
huskyvacs
Well-known member
The UK is a weird place, and that is a 1000W vacuum. With all the news going around over there about 1000W vacuums being "illegal" - I am sure someone might have been scared of getting arrested and tossed it out based on what tabloids said.
Also, for mold and fleas, both of those can be cleaned up with soap and water, and with special flea killing aerosol for fleas. Mold does not continue to grow once it leaves its host environment and it will go dormant until growing conditions re-appear. Mold can be washed with soap and water and it's good to go. There is no hazard with mold unless you have allergies to it.
Fleas will not survive if the vacuum has been outdoors for more than a day or two because there is nothing for them to survive on and they will seek better protection if they do not die completely within the vacuum.
I really do not mind about dirty vacuums, that is what their whole purpose is, and not everyone treats them as a million dollar collectible. I have vacuums that I have not cleaned up yet awaiting a full refurb, and all of them are packed to the brim with dirt and debris, and no hazards have resulted from having them in my home temporarily with their full bags. If there ever came a day when someone didn't ship me a dirty vacuum they should be President!
I do wear a mask and goggles when using an air compressor with a blow nozzle on it on the pleated HEPA filters since you can get kickback on the dust sometimes or if the wind blows the dust cloud back at you, but that's about it. Spreading the pleats apart gently and blowing out deep in the cracks does salvage the life of the filter a little for long enough until you can replace it, but I always replace it anyway because who knows if it's ever been changed at all since the vacuum was off the assembly line.
I would dismantle the vacuum completely, wash all the plastic bits that are not sensitive to being wet and dust off or oil the motor if it sounds rough and then reassemble it. Gives you a chance to inspect for any broken or missing partzs too. Henry's are pretty common and they didn't change much so it shouldn't be very expensive to replace the attachments and hose if you want to keep it. Good luck!
Also, for mold and fleas, both of those can be cleaned up with soap and water, and with special flea killing aerosol for fleas. Mold does not continue to grow once it leaves its host environment and it will go dormant until growing conditions re-appear. Mold can be washed with soap and water and it's good to go. There is no hazard with mold unless you have allergies to it.
Fleas will not survive if the vacuum has been outdoors for more than a day or two because there is nothing for them to survive on and they will seek better protection if they do not die completely within the vacuum.
I really do not mind about dirty vacuums, that is what their whole purpose is, and not everyone treats them as a million dollar collectible. I have vacuums that I have not cleaned up yet awaiting a full refurb, and all of them are packed to the brim with dirt and debris, and no hazards have resulted from having them in my home temporarily with their full bags. If there ever came a day when someone didn't ship me a dirty vacuum they should be President!
I do wear a mask and goggles when using an air compressor with a blow nozzle on it on the pleated HEPA filters since you can get kickback on the dust sometimes or if the wind blows the dust cloud back at you, but that's about it. Spreading the pleats apart gently and blowing out deep in the cracks does salvage the life of the filter a little for long enough until you can replace it, but I always replace it anyway because who knows if it's ever been changed at all since the vacuum was off the assembly line.
I would dismantle the vacuum completely, wash all the plastic bits that are not sensitive to being wet and dust off or oil the motor if it sounds rough and then reassemble it. Gives you a chance to inspect for any broken or missing partzs too. Henry's are pretty common and they didn't change much so it shouldn't be very expensive to replace the attachments and hose if you want to keep it. Good luck!
A blowgun nozzle on an aircompressor can damage filters.Best to just simply replace the filters.I have done that on used vacs I get.
Huskyvacs
What you said about the eu law on the wattage is true and I think that on low mode the henry is 1000w snd on high it is 1200w. When the eu rule first came in there was a peak time of vacuums being thrown out. I have just ordered from amazon a full tool kit complete with 10 genuine Numatic hepaflow bags for 15 pound.
What you said about the eu law on the wattage is true and I think that on low mode the henry is 1000w snd on high it is 1200w. When the eu rule first came in there was a peak time of vacuums being thrown out. I have just ordered from amazon a full tool kit complete with 10 genuine Numatic hepaflow bags for 15 pound.
human
Well-known member
My standard operating procedure for any second hand vacuum cleaner I acquire, be it from a thrift store or the curb, is assess its overall physical condition, then check its functionality by plugging it in and turning it on. If it passes those two tests, it gets a thorough rubdown with Lysol disinfecting wipes before it comes inside the house.
It never ceases to amaze me what people will discard
Sometimes, a cleaner needs a belt, a bag, a blocked hose cleared out. A bad sign for society.
Sometimes, a cleaner needs a belt, a bag, a blocked hose cleared out. A bad sign for society.
rivstg1
Well-known member
Throwing away...
I just came from an Estate Sale b/c I saw vacuums in the photo ( rainbow for one) and inquired. I mentioned that I"m mainly looking for Kirby's (Royal/Rainbow too) and they were shocked..... just last week they had thrown out 2 on the curbside...and 1 week or two before, they had three at a estate Sale and no one wanted them! They took my number for future use and I assume to give me them if they don't sell. Its Good to be a resource!!! All they had there today was a Silver King maxi 2000 for $175 and half off that today. I thought that was rather high...especially since that company went out of biz and may be hard to get parts.
I just came from an Estate Sale b/c I saw vacuums in the photo ( rainbow for one) and inquired. I mentioned that I"m mainly looking for Kirby's (Royal/Rainbow too) and they were shocked..... just last week they had thrown out 2 on the curbside...and 1 week or two before, they had three at a estate Sale and no one wanted them! They took my number for future use and I assume to give me them if they don't sell. Its Good to be a resource!!! All they had there today was a Silver King maxi 2000 for $175 and half off that today. I thought that was rather high...especially since that company went out of biz and may be hard to get parts.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
I just recently picked up a Ultimate G from the thrift store, It runs overall but it basically needs a new bag.
texaskirbyguy
Well-known member
About 25 years ago I scored a two-year old Genie Jet-Vac (shop vac) from my neighbor's trash. Problem? Hose was blocked with Christmas tree needles. A broom handle through the hose cleared it in seconds. I still have the thing...
Shop vac
Well, this is the problem as I stated in the title of my thread! People are so wasteful and dont even know the most basic thing like unclogging a vacuum. This is an embarrasment when compared to 50 years ago when people would service their own vacuum cleaners.
Well, this is the problem as I stated in the title of my thread! People are so wasteful and dont even know the most basic thing like unclogging a vacuum. This is an embarrasment when compared to 50 years ago when people would service their own vacuum cleaners.
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
I have had ppl bring their old vac to me for parts just because they didn't want to clean a little hair out of the brush roll. A quick spa treatment and I resell them.
I currently have 8 vacuums that I picked up from the curb with NOTHING wrong with them other than dirty filters. All bagless vacs. 2 new Hoover windtunnels with the cord winder, a Hoover fold away, Dirt Devil vision, Eureka airspeed, GE/Eureka bagless thing from a few years bag (might keep this one cuz it's branded GE), Dyson DC07,
a new filter and new belt for each of them and I have plenty of used vacs to sell this Fall.
I currently have 8 vacuums that I picked up from the curb with NOTHING wrong with them other than dirty filters. All bagless vacs. 2 new Hoover windtunnels with the cord winder, a Hoover fold away, Dirt Devil vision, Eureka airspeed, GE/Eureka bagless thing from a few years bag (might keep this one cuz it's branded GE), Dyson DC07,
a new filter and new belt for each of them and I have plenty of used vacs to sell this Fall.
