Washing Kirby Bags

[dangt]

Because of what I have read here, I washed the dump-style bags of my two Kirbys. What a job. Because I maintain my own washing machine also , I did not elect to wash them there. It's warm enough here in AZ to wash outside so I did so with Tide in a 5 gal. bucket and am satisfied with how clean I got them.

The first done was from a D80 and that worked so well I just today did the bag from my Classic III. That one was more of a bugger to turn inside out so I could scrape and beat most of the hair and dirt off. The cloth material from the Classic III is quite different from the D80's. It is far more "woolly." and stiff. I am only assuming it is an original Kirby.

I'm just looking for comments about whether or not Kirby actually meant for these to be washed. How often have any of you washed your bags of this type? I'll bet these two of mine have never been cleaned like this in the life of the vacuums and I may NEVER do it again.

Dan

 

[shortcircuit]

I successfully washed my Classic 1CR bag. I first turned it inside out and shook it outside. Then I vacuumed it to get off any residual dust. Next, I washed the bag in the washing machine (short cycle, delicate, warm) with mild laundry detergent (Arm & Hammer). After the cycle is complete, I put it through a second rinse cycle just to be sure that all of the detergent had been rinsed out. Then I line dried the bag. Worked great! The bag looks great and is fresh and clean!

I would not ever put these bags in the dryer. The stitches would dry faster than the fabric, causing them to pull.

 

[jeschbac]

Kirby Bags

I do it exactly like the post above and have had good results, although for the 500 series with the lettering on the bag, I have had some fading, and will only turn them inside out and vacuum, but not wash.

 

[anthony]

washed

mine loads of times just bung it in the washer it comes out like new i have washed mine at least 6 times there is no sign of wear or shrinkage

 

[stricklybojack]

You risk loosing stenils...

but washing the bag is the sing most satisfying part of "spa day" for me. I use a bucket with warm water and mild detergent. This is of course l,after i have emptied and vacuumed the bag thoroughly first. On some i have used the washing machine on the gentle cycle if i deem them strong enough.
So much muddy water after a full vacuuming! I really wound't want that stuff around waiting to become airborn as soon as i turned the machine on.

 

[portapower]

Washing Kirby Bags

I also have washed all my Kirby bags from my 514 to my Sentria. What I always do with the shake out bags is take them outside and thoroughly hose them out first with the garden hose. I found that it gets out most of the grunge. Then I hand wash and air dry them.
Have always gotten great results.

 

[kirbysthebest]

I washed the D-80 and the Omega's bags (separately). Cold water, Woolite and hand wash cycle on my Front loader. Then a low speed spin.

I turned them inside out first, then shook them outside, then vacuumed the residue. they did quite well. My only issue is the Omega badge worked lose from the bag and had to be restitched. I then dried inside out hanging over a chinese laundry then steamed them after turning back to normal. Then let them hang for about another day to make sure they was no residual dampness.

The spring that holds the bag on the emptor is a booger, I learned if you turn the bag about a quarter past where you want it to end up by the time you wrestle it on it is in the correct position.