Properly Wrapping Your Kirby Cord Around the Hooks

[kirbyclassiciii]

It is important that you know how to properly wind your Kirby cord around the hooks. The direction of the wind will vary depending on the model and the positions of both the cord/bag clip and the placement of the hooks on the handle assembly.


 


I took these pictures to educate all of you Kirby collectors, new and old, how to do this in order to protect your beloved cord from excessive strain. The pictures below show you the right direction to begin your cord winding.


 


If your machine is a Classic Omega 1CB or older (if you have the original production grip, in the case of this and the prior Classic 1CR and Dual Sanitronic 80), the cord should be wound up in a clockwise direction; please correct me if I'm wrong.


 


Correct me again if I'm wrong, but if you have a Classic III 2CB with the cord/bag clip hook on the back of the grip rather than on the side, the cord should be wound up counterclockwise. But if you have a 1978 model with the new-style grip that places the cord clip hook on the side of the grip, but that it still has the cord hooks on the bag side of the handle fork, wrap the cord counterclockwise as well.


 


Then, on the Classic III 2CBs (and subsequent Kirby models) that place the cord hooks on the side of the handle fork that points to the toe-touch control, it is then suggested you wrap the cord around in a <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">counter</span>clockwise direction. I know the Kirby Tradition instruction book does show an illustration that suggests you do so... but it does show to work the top cord hook counterclockwise.


 


On the Heritage/Legend series, the grommet (strain relief) of the cord is placed on a cord clip attached to the handle fork... a counterclockwise winding is recommended.


 


~Ben

[this post was last edited: 3/30/2017-19:44]

 

[vacuumlad1650]

As you can see, I am very focused on winding my cords.
No, wait that's backwards. I am actually extremely picky about how my cords are wound. I will rewind them until they meet my standards. This was a picture I took as I transitioned what room I was in. I don't wind the cord between every room, but gather it on the hooks. I'll take more pics later...
A

 

[electrolux137]

~
~


Actually, the best and least harmful way to store cords is to coil them up and hang them over the upper hook only. That puts ZERO strain on the plugs.


 


(OCD issues notwithstanding.)

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

electrolux137

Charles,


 


There's that 515 again!


 


I have also seen that be done on the (household) Royal 153 upright.


 


~Ben

[this post was last edited: 3/30/2017-23:34]

 

[compactelectra]

I agree with Charles

Easier to deal with and better for the cords.

 

[sptyks]

Ben, are you changing the way we decided to wrap the D50/80 cords. I thought we ended up wrapping the cord counterclockwise on D50's ad D80's.


 


 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

sptyks

Stan,


 


I was wrong... it is supposed to be counterclockwise on the D50/80!


 


~Ben

 

[paul]

Poll: Kinking

What causes a cord to kink? I've been told that winding on the cord hooks does (maintenance supervisor at university) and another claimed that free winding (i.e. reply #2) does (Aerus dealer).

What say you?

 

[phaeton]

Figure 8

Is your Bison cord wrapped correctly?

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

You knew this would stir up a thread lol. I put my cords on the way you do on all vacs except 505 which I leave on top rung because I would ruin it in no time. I can wrap cords for vacuum but extension cords oh boy that I can't do for life of me.
How do people wind cord with retractable cords.

 

[huskyvacs]

That figure 8 pattern is something that mainly is used in industrial settings, who knows why. It's some kind of OSHA safety thing maybe? When I had a contractor at my house and he borrowed my cords he wound them up like that, I was like "what is this?" and I undid it all and wound them back up my way. It's obnoxious to store like that and if your cords have their memory in the insulation still, they will want to curl up and out and it makes a big mess.

My loose extension cords I coil in a hoop, vacuum cords I give a little slack on the end and then wind in whatever direction the cord strain relief points, usually clockwise.

I have vacuums from the 1920's with the original cords on them, and if they can last 70-80 years with the cords wound clockwise or counter clockwise around the hooks - with fragile asbestos fabric cord no less - then there really is no right or wrong way I think.

 

[phaeton]

This is really troublesome, I have wrapped that darn cord the wrong way and have caused a stampede.

 

[dirtmaster37]

What a fun thread to participate in....

I rarely respond, but this one made me giggle, as it's been an issue I've dealt with for two solid decades now.

Being in the vacuum business, one can tell you safely, that the average vacuum owning person doesn't give a frog's fat pahtootie how one wraps their vacuum cord. If it's even wrapped at all. It's usually a jumbled mess of knots and tangles, thrown in some sort of pile on the handle or tangled around the machine even. I would say maybe 15% of the time its wrapped properly, and is either circle wound, or figure eighted. 98% of those who bring in a wrapped cord cleaner; are over 50. Or perceptively so.

Yep, it's like that. Any other major vacuum folks care to share their findings on this??

In my lifetime, most all people I knew growing up wound their cords LOOSELY in a figure 8. I never paid attention to the cord reel type machines, because uh...why? They all wind up uniformly. All the Hoovers, Eureka's and Kirbies and the minor amounts of other brands I had privy to, were wound this way figure 8 style. I always thought it made the cord too bulgy. I would usually rewind all our cleaners, and several other peoples to have a regular COUNTERCLOCKWISE round the hooks, tighter to look like the ads did in the catalogs.

As one aged, and developed a brain for the most part, later decided that this is a definite no no. Especially with older Hoover and Eureka's. Way too much strain on the cord reliefs out of the upper handles. I have always detested the figure 8 way, but more anon...

When customers do bring in their machines with the cord a mess, I usually, in front of them, un clusterphuq the cord, and wind it in the proper manner, AT LEAST around the provided for hooks. Usually by the time I am done, they are all sorts of excusing their laziness. Or blame ones children, sig other, or housekeeper.

One really has ever paid attention to how other collectors wind their cords in a collection style environment. To each their own. Some have their "way", and one is of course respectful, and mindful to any odd attempt to replace said cord, as the collector has or had it. I do it looser on mine, wound nearly all counterclockwise, except the Hoover Convertibles, and any Eureka that has the similar cord relief, in which they are wrapped clockwise, to reduce strain on the relief.

Good topic.

As the picture shows however, IMHO, the best cord care solution is the reel up type. As in my Singer Golden PowerMaster. Or just because it's ones favorite LOL!!!

Chad

 

[paul]

Electrolux Australia (if not Europe) used the figure 8-style wrap, too, according to this illustration in the Model 65 cleaner instruction book:

 

[honestjoe68]

I’ve always simply held onto the end closest to its connection point on the vacuum, giving several inches of slack then gently and loosely wrapped it (typically) clockwise around the two cord hooks. Then if you do it correctly and loosely there is no tension anywhere on the cord, simply even loose loops around the hooks. If you do it loosely enough you’ll never have those definite curves in the cords when you unwind them later.

My thoughts are NEVER pull tightly on the cord anywhere or anytime and treat it gently. Also, to mix it up and again not get those curves from either cord hook.. I’ll wrap the cords the opposite (usually counterclockwise) direction every time I use one from my collection.. that way the cords don’t develop folds or curves either.

Nothing angers me as much as those people who VIGOROUSLY and Tighly wrap a cord around the hooks roughly.. either around or figure 8.... NEVER ever pull on any vacuum cord tightly or you risk damaging one of the electrical wires protective layers, inside or out.

In general, I treat my Vacuums gently, with care. I never put the Bagless Vacuums Away with dirt in the bin. Never leave a smelly or old bag (even if NOT totally full) in my Bagged Vacuums. And filters get checked EVERY time I use a vacuum. It sounds very obsessive, but it’s the respect and love for my Vacuums that keeps me from just lazily winding the cord harshly or tossing it in the closet without the basics of care. I just Love vacuum cleaners like some car collector enthusiasts.. it’s a passion and a hobby.

Thanks for this thread! Oh and just an FYI.. my new (new to me, the second owner) Kirby Sentria II had slight curves from the previous owner winding the cord too tightly.. so since it’s been in my home I’ve gently and loosely wrapper the cord lightly around my palm and elbow.. making loose loops, then hanging the cord from just the Top cord hook.. my cord now unwinds and lays on the floor with no evidence of curves or kinks. I’m such an odd person Lol

Thanks guys! Thank you for allowing me to share my passion with you all.. free of judgement and with the kind support I’ve experienced so far on Vacuumland.org!

 

[dartman]

I wrap the cord around the bell on the back of my Royal 4650 and it appears that is how it was supposed to be done. At work if I'm not in a hurry I do a parachute loop/wrap that if you do it properly you just grab the other end from the start of the wrap and it will pull out nicely plus if you only need a few feet you pull that much out and go. It tends to keep the cords from taking a permanent twist even if it's a bit harder to store so they last longer. I don't have a upright vac right now but I would probably do a loose wrap or just the loop on the top hook to make it last longer. I'll probably get a Royal old School upright sooner or later when a good deal on Craigslist shows up as some folks think those things are worth 150 to 250 used because they are like a Kirby.