Vintage machines as daily drivers

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vintage vacuums as daily drivers

Before I hurt my back and had surgery, I was using my lux XXX as a daily driver, but having to use the floor brush on carpet to get out embedded dog hair was just too rough on my back. I broke down and got a Riccar Supralite (which I love, by the way.) The Lux XXX is now being used for bare floors and above the floor cleaning, as well as getting the edges of carpets, something the Riccar isn't the greatest at doing, and gets a workout a few times a week. I picked up some filtrete foam stuff at the store where I bought the Supralite, traced the ancient filter that Mom still had in the Lux when she closed up her house, and made a plastic template to make my own filters. I had heard that old machines put a lot of dust back into the air, but honestly, the Lux is a lot better than an el cheapo Bissell that I picked up one Sunday afternoon at WalMart for forty bucks a few years ago at containing dust and grunge.

After I laid hold of the Electrolux, I picked up some accessories for it. Mom had a crummy plastic hose with a machine end on it, and the metal wands were supposed to friction fit on it, but never did adequately. No wonder she relegated it to the closet and picked up a cheap canister! So I managed to get a woven cloth hose on eBay for about $30, including shipping. It isn't crimped or kinked, and I've not noticed any loss of suction when using that as opposed to the plastic hose. Still, I might get one of the generic plastic hoses just to preserve the woven one from the rigors of life in my house.

The guy at the vacuum store lit up when I mentioned that I had a XXX, and looked at me as a way of getting rid of some old accessories that he had lying around. So, for another $70, I got a new replacement cord, which appears to be Electrolux equipment, a metal wall brush, and a metal dusting brush (the ball shaped variety.) Somebody on eBay was selling the floor polisher, which I picked up for another $40 (including shipping,) and I was shocked to see that the seller also included the brochure for it. It appeared to be totally unused, and even included the lambswool buffing pad as well as two sets of brush inserts. That's been used a couple of times to scrub in dry carpet cleaning powder, as well as weekly to give the kitchen and bathroom floors a good scrubbing.

I'd love to get my hands on one of the metal chamber inserts to be able to use type C disposable bags: If you've ever had any kind of dog, but especially a beagle, those critters SHED! If anyone hears of one that someone wants to get rid of, let me know.

What I really love about this machine is it is easy for me to kick around, and even the air-driven floor scrubber is within my weight lifting limit. Plus, it's quiet: The dog is wary, but doesn't go into panic mode whenever I have it out for doing some cleaning. And my upholstered furniture and drapes have never been cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner itself is in great condition: Mom had the motor gone over in 2003. I think she paid more for that than HER mother paid for the vacuum cleaner itself in 1941! And the vacuum cleaner itself seems to be grateful for being returned to useful life--that motor just hums away as I do my cleaning. These guys were meant to be lovingly used, not stashed in attics or admired as museum pieces. They seem happiest when they are appreciated for their function.
 
Carol

I absolutely LOVE the XXX Electrolux! I keep one in my office here at the bank and use it to clean around my desk when the dust bunnies begin piling up around the corners of my desk/laptop. It's so awesome to use as my office is located within our call center. I can turn it on and vacuum the entire office and never have to worry about disturbing anyone because that old motor is so quiet.....try doing that with today's cheap plastivacs!

Anyway, even thought I rotate a lot between my vacuum cleaners, I ALWAYS seem to fall back on my old Electrolux Silverado for the biggest majority of my vacuuming needs. That vac is relatively quiet, has TONS of suction and my 2 1/2 year old daughter adores it when I'm running it, she likes to ride it all through the house! I have some "new" vacuums but I rarely touch them, the newest one I do occasionally use is my Kirby G5, circa 1999, so I definitely would say I prefer vintage over new any day of the week......unless of course, I could get my hands on a new Aerus Platinum, but that's a LONG way down the road for me :)
 
The sound of my Lux XXX could lull me to sleep, kitty not bothered at all, but need power head for my carpets, so out comes the Silverado.Or the Concept 1, in a quick hurry Hoover LiNX.
 
Mo XXX "ride it all through the house"

She is not the first.An autobiography of a famous Hollywood actor mentions dreaming of flying through the air on a sled runner Elux as he would ride the vac as the housekeeper pulled it around.He also wonders at the later condition of her lower back.And that was - Peter Fonda.
 
I don't vacuum daily

Well, none of my machines can rightly be called "daily drivers" because I definitely don't vacuum on a daily basis. I do well to get around to it once every two or three weeks. Lately, I've mostly been using my Electrolux 1205 and Super J canisters but for a deep down cleaning, nothing beats a Kirby. My G5 has been getting the most use of those lately.
 
Well, I do use vintage vacuums as daily drivers. However, the problem I have always found is the bags & filters they use. For instance, Filter Queen & Compact/Tristar vacuums, Kenmore canisters that use 5023 bags, uprights that use Hoover C & Eureka F&G bags....I have found that those vacuums, the bags clog more easily & make the vacuum lose airflow & suction faster than new vacuums that use HEPA Cloth bags.

My Electrolux canisters are a perfect example of this. Put in a 4 ply bag, & they filter well but clog easily, have to take it out & give it a good shake, then put it back in to restore suction. Use the Type C HEPA Cloth bags for them, though, & they filter much better & last longer before losing suction. Also, call me crazy, but I do like some of the features on modern vacuums....quick release wands & variable speed controls, for instance.

Will - Vintage vacuums aren't necessarily easier to maintain or clean better than modern vacuums. Look hard enough, & you can easily find modern vacuums that are equal to their vintage counterparts. However, having said that, the older cleaners are better quality than modern cleaners, unless you're willing to shell out big bucks & buy a high end brand, like Miele or Sebo.

Rob
 
Reply 11

Robert, are you sure you like that pic for the Kirby? Hmm, something tells me you might be more interested in Danielle Fishel than the Kirby! :-). So turn in your gay card, LOL.

Rob
 
Vintage Daily Drivers

Living with my partner, who suffers from severe allergies, two dogs and a cat (none of whom will wipe their feet, I vacuum pretty much, every day! I have a good opportunity to choose a different vac for daily use. For true cleanliness, I regularly use my Rainbow. No matter how old it is, it is still a water filter and does what it has always done best, filter. My older vacs dont do much for out new deep, plush carpet. (wish I had never done this) but the filter queens famous rug tool does a pretty good job with NO dust escaping. But if I want compliments on the carpet (lines, fluffed up nap, etc) I fall back on my Eureka uprights. They do a beautiful job of grooming the carpet, cleaning etc. But I do stay on top of the vacuuming, so they do not have to work too hard! But my secret weapon in the old vac arsenal, is a "bo-jacked" Filter Queen that I mated a Rainbow power nozzel to. Now THAT will do the job!! Enjoy all of your collected vacuums, finding out the merits of each one, and the pitfalls. Its a great hobby with a great by-product!
 
I'm currently using my Kirby 508 as my daily driver, but I occasionally alternate. I'm looking for a Hoover 541 or a 700 at the moment which will be next in rotation. I like keeping my nice machines clean, so I don't use them all for sucking up dirt, but I do run the motors once a month or so.
 

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