Sanitaire shake out bags

[joerwheeler]

Just purchased a new SC899F, and want some good advice on best way to clean the shake out bag i.e. vacuum it out, blow it out with compressed air, wash it etc.
I need to use it daily for pre-vacuuming carpets for carpet cleaning, and need it cleaned thoroughly but has to be ready to use quickly for next job. Also, which is better, to clean from outside in (reverse of airflow), or clean from inside. Thanks. Also, anyone tell me what the "F" designation on the model number (SC899F) means. Thanks again...

 

[sensotronic]

I would vacuum the bag from the inside. I had a Hoover Powerplus upright with a shake out bag and a dustcup at the bottom that needed regular cleaning to maintain the suction. I used a suction cleaner with a furniture nozzle to clean the main area and a crevice tool to remove the dust in the corners.

 

[joerwheeler]

Thanks for that Roger...

I will try to clean it with my Dyson, but it doesn't have a proper dusting brush so I may get angry before I have finished...but that's what I get for not owning a Kirby I suppose (kidding, not a Kirby hater, I like metal just as much as the next fellow I suppose...)

 

[fantomlightning]

Check...

Woot.com if you'd like a decent low maintenance canister, they often have refurbished DC39s for sale. It would be the perfect machine for this type of job. Cleaning out my other machines is what mine has been used for about 99% of the time. If your DC25? (if I remember correctly) has the upholstery brush I'm thinking of it should be fine as well.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Or U can upgrade to the disposable bag system; U wont have to worry about cleaning out the outer cloth bag. You'll also have better performance after changing the paper bag.

 

[tolivac]

If you want to go to a Sanitaire bag system that uses disposable bags-go with the outer bag that uses ST bags-MUCH better than the old F&G bags!The ST bags are available as Filtrete ones-Again better than paper bags.Better performance and filtration.

 

[3rdgenvacguy]

sanitaire shake out bags

The outer bag assembly that uses the ST bags, the one with the dual zippers, is held onto the base with two screws instead of the locking lever. You can still mount it, but would have to drill two holes, and probably use nuts on the inside of the chassis.

 

[durango159]

I'd switch bagging system!!

I used to do commercial cleaning and the job sites had Sanitaire SC886 models with shake out bags. The filtration is ABSOLUTELY terrible. Emptying the bags has to be done outside-- it is such a mess. It would take me about 10 minutes to clean and shake out those bags. The bag clips get stuck on bags and don't slide off well. Dirt gets stuck everywhere. I had to wear a glove and have to unclog the hole at the bottom where dirt enters bag. No matter how much you shake and bang bag around trying to empty you will get a HUGE dust cloud emerging once you reattach bag to vacuum and turn it on. Those shake out bags give dust cloud storms on everything they bump or rub against. Your pretty chrome and red base will turn brown with a light coating of dirt very quickly in just minutes after you've wiped down machine and will only get worse making machine look filthy after a couple weeks.

I highly highly advise looking to a bagged ST style system. HEPA ST bags are available. I think you'll appreciate a paper bag system that will be easy to maintain. Bag changes will take seconds instead of minutes. Machine will stay cleaner.

 

[joerwheeler]

Thanks for all the opinions and answers!

So most agree not to even mess with shake outs, and I see your point. For my work they insist on bagless or shake out because they believe that bugs and what not can be transferred from one site to another, so cleaning between jobs is required. Disposable bags would have to be discarded at the end of every job, even if barely filled. This adds up quick!
So I am stuck with a bagless design, or the shake out for practicality's sake.
So to clean I have listened to the advise given here, and found a method, not perfect but doable.
I shake out the bag as much as possible outside, and then carefully turn it inside out (carefully!). Then I vacuum the bag with a soft brush attachment from a Dyson DC25, which can be done on a counter top inside (where it's comfortable to work).
This makes the bag white again, and fresh as a daisy, so it seems to be an acceptable method. I also vacuum the outside to remove dusty finger prints and improve appearance. Since I have to clean the bag between every job, the build up is acceptable and easy to clean. I suppose if the bag wasn't fully cleaned each time it could get so filthy that this method wouldn't be extreme enough. But for now it works.
So, for those who want or have to use a shake out, this is my two cents.
Again, thanks for all the suggestions!