Top 5 tips for using a Bagless Vacuum Chamber
Posted: September 20, 2016
Categories: How To
Before reading this blog post I highly recommend taking a quick glance at my earlier blog titled
After having read that blog, I am sure you are just about ready to spit at any bagless chamber you see, and some of you may even feel so stirred as to feel like spitting on the innocent user of that rotten bagless chamber. Don’t get too carried away! Before you throw the baby out with the bathwater, it’s important that you realise that this defenceless attachment really does serve an excellent purpose … it’s just that retailers don’t often sell the chamber for the best reasons. Let me explain …
The best application for a bagless cyclone attachment is not to prevent the need for replacing vacuum cleaner bags, but rather to prevent burning out your vacuum motor.
I am sure that over time I have written again and again about the dangers of sucking up plaster dust or gyprock. In fact, my list of things not to put in your vacuum cleaner extends to seemingly harmless talcum or carpet powders, through to dry foam carpet stain removers. All of these products are outside what can be classified as “normal” vacuum dirt. Your machine is not designed to suck up these substances, and if you do damage your vacuum by using it in this way, you will be disappointed to find out that this damage is not covered by your manufacturer’s warranty.
What happens is very simple. When you do the wrong thing by your trusty vacuum cleaner, you are creating a monster. Those harmful substances like gyprock, plaster dust and carpet powders are sucked through your vacuum bag or vacuum filter, and then they clog up the vacuum motor bearing (and before you ask, YES!… this applies whether your vacuum is bagless or uses bags!). This bearing in your motor is not replaceable for most vacuums, so this damage will be repairable only if you replace that vacuum motor entirely. This can be a costly repair in terms of dollars out of your pocket, and also in terms of vacuum cleaner down time.
Now I know that my advice is sound, but I can hear some of you pleading with me: “But I have a renovation happening at the moment. How am I meant to clean it up?” The ideal solution to your very common problem is to buy a small commercial vacuum cleaner that is actually built to handle this stuff. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg, but believe me, buying a commercial machine for your renovations will give you a throw away solution to your one-off renovation cleaning needs. It will save you lots of time and money in the long run, and give you that warm fuzzy sense of pride that you are a truly responsible vacuum owner.
For most of you, this suggestion will suffice, and you will do the best thing and buy that small commercial machine. But for some of you, there is outrage brewing. I can already hears the cries of “Are you MAD??!!!” Some of you are even keeping score: ”If they get a new vacuum then I’m getting another pair of shoes to make it even”.
I do acknowledge your reluctance with spending more money on a new vacuum (even if it is the best idea), and am willing to offer up a truce flag. This is where your trusty bagless chamber comes in… Go ahead and use the bagless chamber with your regular vacuum cleaner if you are doing some heavy duty cleaning… only on one condition… you will need to change your bag often. Before I go into another preachy vacuum maintenance sermon, let me offer you some tips about the best way to use your bagless vacuum chamber:
If you have something to add please send me a message. Your comments punctuate my solitary vacuum-obsessed day, so I would love to hear from you! And if you have a question, I will do my best to answer it quickly too.
How to Save money on Vacuum Cleaner Bags and other lies
Basically I ranted about why you should not use a bagless cyclone chamber for the purpose of saving money on vacuum cleaner bags.After having read that blog, I am sure you are just about ready to spit at any bagless chamber you see, and some of you may even feel so stirred as to feel like spitting on the innocent user of that rotten bagless chamber. Don’t get too carried away! Before you throw the baby out with the bathwater, it’s important that you realise that this defenceless attachment really does serve an excellent purpose … it’s just that retailers don’t often sell the chamber for the best reasons. Let me explain …
The best application for a bagless cyclone attachment is not to prevent the need for replacing vacuum cleaner bags, but rather to prevent burning out your vacuum motor.
I am sure that over time I have written again and again about the dangers of sucking up plaster dust or gyprock. In fact, my list of things not to put in your vacuum cleaner extends to seemingly harmless talcum or carpet powders, through to dry foam carpet stain removers. All of these products are outside what can be classified as “normal” vacuum dirt. Your machine is not designed to suck up these substances, and if you do damage your vacuum by using it in this way, you will be disappointed to find out that this damage is not covered by your manufacturer’s warranty.
What happens is very simple. When you do the wrong thing by your trusty vacuum cleaner, you are creating a monster. Those harmful substances like gyprock, plaster dust and carpet powders are sucked through your vacuum bag or vacuum filter, and then they clog up the vacuum motor bearing (and before you ask, YES!… this applies whether your vacuum is bagless or uses bags!). This bearing in your motor is not replaceable for most vacuums, so this damage will be repairable only if you replace that vacuum motor entirely. This can be a costly repair in terms of dollars out of your pocket, and also in terms of vacuum cleaner down time.
Now I know that my advice is sound, but I can hear some of you pleading with me: “But I have a renovation happening at the moment. How am I meant to clean it up?” The ideal solution to your very common problem is to buy a small commercial vacuum cleaner that is actually built to handle this stuff. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg, but believe me, buying a commercial machine for your renovations will give you a throw away solution to your one-off renovation cleaning needs. It will save you lots of time and money in the long run, and give you that warm fuzzy sense of pride that you are a truly responsible vacuum owner.
For most of you, this suggestion will suffice, and you will do the best thing and buy that small commercial machine. But for some of you, there is outrage brewing. I can already hears the cries of “Are you MAD??!!!” Some of you are even keeping score: ”If they get a new vacuum then I’m getting another pair of shoes to make it even”.
I do acknowledge your reluctance with spending more money on a new vacuum (even if it is the best idea), and am willing to offer up a truce flag. This is where your trusty bagless chamber comes in… Go ahead and use the bagless chamber with your regular vacuum cleaner if you are doing some heavy duty cleaning… only on one condition… you will need to change your bag often. Before I go into another preachy vacuum maintenance sermon, let me offer you some tips about the best way to use your bagless vacuum chamber:
- Use your bagless vacuum chamber to suck up stuff that is too fine for you vacuum to handle normally.
- After you have done the job change the bag – even if it looks empty.
- If possible run your vacuum at about 80% suction - this will counter the fact that the attachment will actually put more strain on the motor.
- Pick up material that is big enough to grab with your hands before you begin vacuuming. The chamber will not like rocks being pelted at its plastic self.
- Empty the chamber often so that there is minimal material inside to encourage the cyclone to work at maximum efficiency.
- Use the chamber as a one off… don’t assume that it can replace your vacuum bag.
If you have something to add please send me a message. Your comments punctuate my solitary vacuum-obsessed day, so I would love to hear from you! And if you have a question, I will do my best to answer it quickly too.
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