Wet dirt can't fly???

[seamusuk]

Hey Guys
This will shortly be coming to me from another collector. It's obviously a pretty rare sight over here. It may stay or it may end up getting moved on, either way I've wanted to try one for ages
Seamus

 

[marcusprit]

Ugly things aren't they

 

[seamusuk]

ugly?

I prefer interesting lol... For what it's costing me I have no complaints
Seamus

 

[marcusprit]

I'm sure they do a good job though

 

[electroluxxxx]

You will love it!!! Just make sure it has a clean filter, clean the separator and away you go! You will not believe how well the rainbow cleans. I absolutely love mine and if I were to trade it in it would be for an upgrade.

 

[dysonman1]

That machine proves Dyson is a liar. He did not invent the first bagless vacuum cleaner that doesn't lose suction. Even though he thinks he did. 8 million Rainbows had been sold before the first Dyson ever hit the market.

Your Rainbow is an awesome vacuum. You know how much I love mine - it's my profile picture on Vacuumland. By adding a few drops ("few" means three) of liquid fabric softener to the water in the basin, you'll not only wash the air as the Rainbow runs - it will smell fresh and clean like wash day.

Congratulations on a wonderful vacuum cleaner.

 

[marcusprit]

Do you see a resemblance or is it just me? Exterminate

 

[mark40511]

My all time FAVORITE vacuum as some of you probably know

I can't imagine being without mine after having it for so long. I now have 2 water filtration vacuums. My rainbow (since 2006) and a Sirena (since recently) - I like the rainbow better but the Sirena does it's job too..

 

[kirbysthebest]

I like the Rainbow

I have a D that was born in 1974 that is still running. I have replaced the hose, and rebuilt the Eureka Powernozzle.

I came close a few times to getting a new E4 on Ebay, but they managed to get away. I would consider a new Rainbow, IF the local wasn't such a flim-flam man. When Mr. Houser was alive you were treated well. Now it's easier to use ebay for fragrances and consumables than to try and find the Rainbow dealer open for business. And Service--forget it.

I found a NIB Rainmate at Goodwill, and I run it in my room continuously.

I just have to do this though:
"Wet 'dust' can't fly"

 

[luxlife]

Owning and appreciating a Rainbow requires discipline. You really do need to clean it after each use and keep the separator clean and these things are simple enough to do but add to you experience with the machine if you remember to do them. It's definitely a machine that's built for longevity and one of the few brands out there that has high quality full sized tools.

 

[afvn72]

But Wet Cat Dander Might

I saw a reference in an online article to a study supposedly done by the American Lung Association. According to the article, the study found water filtration vacuums actually increase the amount of airborne cat dander. Therefore, the ALA does not recommend water filtration vacs. I've looked for the actual study but cannot find it. Has anyone ever heard of this? Thank you.

 

[marcusprit]

I did read somewhere that water isn't the best filter and particles can escape it.

 

[kirbysthebest]

Rainbow has had this controversy as long as there have been Rainbows. Non-wetable dust like talcum, fireplace ash, plaster dust will slip through the bath and quickly escape. This is why Rainbow added an afterfilter on their machines to catch the dust that got away.

I had not heard cat dander, but I had heard before that the water may activate some allergens and help disburse them. For a "normal"household I think the Rainbow will do a great job with most dust, dirt and mites.

 

[ultralux88]

We had a cat for years, unfortunately we lost him due to kidney failure, poor cat, we really loved him, but we still have out dog, he's younger than the cat was, and added another dog too. I've never noticed anything getting by the water on mine honestly. And my evidence that it does still capture cat and dog dander is that my dad is allergic to cats and dogs among many other things (I inherited some of his severe and constant allergy problems, and got them a bit worse, thankfully I don't believe pets cause any of mine) and he's mentioned that when I use a Rainbow or other water vac that his allergies stop bothering him soon after I start vacuuming and for a while after, he says its the only time he noticed that his allergy symptoms go away or are reduced by a lot.

 

[parwaz786]

"Wet dirt can't fly"

Sounds exactly like what Nancy Sullivan said in the infomercial on the H2O vacuum

 

[kirbysthebest]

No, Really>

It's "Wet Dust Can't Fly"


<h2 style="border: 0px; font-family: myriad-pro-1, myriad-pro-2, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, Tahoma, Geneva, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.3; color: #1ab7ea;">Wet Dust Can’t Fly®</h2>
<p style="font-family: myriad-pro-1, myriad-pro-2, 'Myriad Pro', Myriad, Tahoma, Geneva, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.2em; color: #555555;">The Rainbow uses Mother Nature’s most powerful element, water, to trap dirt and odors, returning only naturally clean, water-washed air to your home environment.</p>
 


 


 



http://rainbowsystem.com/rainbow-system/how-it-works/

 

[man114]

If you have the discipline to use a Rainbow, clean after use, change water frequently (I recommend the 4qt basin to make this less of an issue in a large house), you will be treated to great carpet cleaning and zero vac smell.

In reality most dirt you'll encounter is wettable, properly maintained if you pull the HEPA even after extensive use it is still white. You have to realize the separator doesn't just keep water out of the motor, it throws dirt back out of the airstream, original Rexair Vacs didn't even use water.

If you wonder if a plastic vac will last, look at the D4. I sold Rainbows until it became too much of a time constraint to fit into my schedule (not to say I wouldn't go back if I could fit it in again) but the number of 20 year old D4s still running without service was amazing.

What I do like is that Rainbow hasn't kept sitting on the same unit with minor cosmetic upgrades, they've done substantial upgrades to the machine and attachments.

 

[countryguy]

I have a model D and I used to have the newest black model. While I don't mind the maintenance of emptying the water bin, etc. when I am doing a full cleaning, it is a royal pain in the you know what when you just want to do a quick vacuum of the kitchen floor, etc. especially if your house is on a septic system where you don't want to empty the container down the drain and you don't want to dump it outside in the middle of winter when it is -30 C. I think a secondary vac is required for these quick pick up jobs.

Gary

 

[marcusprit]

Question. If wet dirt can't fly why do they have a HEPA filter?

 

[kirbysthebest]

If wet dirt can't fly why do they have a HEPA filter?

From a previous post:

Non-wettable dust like talcum, fireplace ash, plaster dust will slip through the bath and quickly escape. This is why Rainbow added an afterfilter on their machines to catch the dust that got away.

 

[marcusprit]

Probably microscopic particles will slip through too.

Nice machine but seems too much faffing about for me.

I prefer a Riccar Brilliance or even a Kirby myself. Will filter just as well and clean a bit better.

 

[kirbysthebest]

Probably the reason other water filter machines say "Wet Dirt Can't Fly" is because Rainbow has "Wet Dust Can't Fly" trademarked, but if one is speaking of a Rainbow then it's "Wet Dust Can't Fly".

 

[marcusprit]

Harley how does the Rainbow compare in performance to a Riccar or Kirby?

I like the latest powerhead with the edge cleaning brushes.

 

[dysonman1]

One would have to compare the performance of a Rainbow to another canister vacuum, not an upright. Kirby isn't convenient to use with attachments, and you certainly can't wash your kitchen floor with a Riccar. The Rainbow will shampoo the carpet (and not just rub bubbles into it like 'dry foam' methods). The Rainbow will unclog drains and pick up spills. The Rainbow has a motorized mini power brush for stairs and pet hair. The Rainbow's high quality attachments are easy and dare I say, fun to use. Sure, taking fifteen seconds to fill the water pan before use might be a chore to some. Emptying the basin may take a moment (I've always emptied it into the commode and never had a clog, ever) but all the dirt is out of your house - not in your closet. Best of all, the Rainbow doesn't stink like last month's dirt - and you have no expense for consumables. Rainbow's HEPA neutralizer is washable.

My Rainbow has been running on air wash mode since October, in my bedroom, continuously. I use distilled water in it and have to refill it daily as it adds moisture and humidity to the dry heated air in my home. When I want to vacuum, I attach the hose, switch to high speed, and clean. The fifteen foot electric hose means I never move the cleaner once it's in a room. The hose is long enough to allow me to clean everything on as well as above the floor.

They are certainly not for everyone, and I do have several 'bagged' type cleaners as well as the wonderful Hoover Air Cordless for quick cleaning jobs.

 

[marcusprit]

Ok how would it compare to a Riccar Immaculate? Was just wondering if it could come close to a Kirby for dust pick up on carpet?

It does sound good as you describe it. I couldn't afford a new one and i've not seen any used Rainbows on ebay in Europe.

 

[marcusprit]

Actually after Toms description if I can find a used one on eBay in Europe I might go for it!

The only thing that concerns me is if something goes wrong with the electrics it will likely be very expensive to fix.[this post was last edited: 3/11/2015-12:27]

 

[gsheen]

a Rainbow is the only water filtration vacuum I would ever use. Its the only one I have ever seen that works.

 

[dysonman1]

A Rainbow is an extraordinarily well made machine, including the motor. The newest Rainbow doesn't use carbon brushes, which is why mine runs 24/7 in my bedroom to wash the air. Rexair (the manufacturer of the Rainbow) makes their own motor, it has an 8 year warranty. If you put the machine away with the water pan NOT latched onto the machine (I put it under the kitchen sink), you'll be fine.
My Rainbow never gets put away, always running extremely quietly on air wash speed. Rexair makes a germicide to go into the water, with alcohol and triethylene glycol as its main ingredients. With a capful in the water basin, the air returning to the room will be not only dust free, but bacteria free as well.

This is my 1939 Rainbow, along with my brand new one. Both have 100% suction, 100% of the time.

 

[marcusprit]

Good to know. No carbon dust either.

Are the electrics in the hose wand and floorhead reliable too? This is a potential failure on most cylinders/cannisters I find.

Anyway I'll keep looking on eBay to see if one becomes available.

Thanks Tom.