Nilfisk King Vacuum Bags should I save money and buy generic or go for the quality of the Nilfisk Originals?
Posted: September 20, 2016
Categories: How To
Original Nilfisk Vacuum Bags V’s Generic Vacuum Bags for Nilfisk King
In most industries, if price is your focus when choosing between genuine or generic products, then generic will win 99% of the time. Vacuum cleaner bags for the Nilfisk King are no different.
In my mind though, price is only one consideration. When shopping for Nilfisk King dust bags, it is also smart to think about the bag’s strength and durability, as well as how well it can maintain your vacuum’s airflow and filtration. I will concede my lack of formal scientific qualification; I certainly didn’t don a white coat to write this. (Still, I do have pretty messy hair, and occasionally I can chuckle madly ... but, putting psychological issues aside...) my authority is of a more practical nature. I have serviced a few hundred Nilfisk King vacuums over the last 5 years, and I am an expert on common faults and their causes in this machine.
At VacuumSpot we stock generic dust bags from Cleanstar and Menalux. These are not the cheapest generic bags available, but others are truly inferior and can’t compare with their strength, and their ability to maintain vacuum airflow and filtration. Other generic brands don’t even come close to the quality of genuine Nilfisk bags. Menalux make paper and synthetic bags for Nilfisk King, and we stock both. The paper style bags (T135) cost $10.95. The newer synthetic bags (3201) cost $13.95. Both packs have 5 bags, but no filters.
In the Nilfisk King, the generic paper bags work well for general use provided they are changed often. These bags tend to split when overfilled, and don’t fare well if you accidentally vacuum something pointy or sharp.
Unfortunately, dust and dirt leaking from a split bag causes filter blockages which reduces vacuum airflow and places strain on your motor. It’s great that these generic paper bags are significantly cheaper than genuines, because if you are prepared to change them often they will save you money without too much compromise on your vacuum’s lifespan or performance.
As far as generic synthetic bags go, there are similar pros and cons. They do alleviate the concerns of bag strength that are raised with the paper bags, and are more resilient to splitting and breakage. But, they do not offer the same level of filtration as the genuine synthetic bags, and the heavier material they are made from can actually reduce the vacuum’s airflow and make your motor work that bit harder to achieve maximum suction.
When cash is tight, generic bags will do the job well, but I am convinced that nothing beats genuine Nilfisk bags. They are genuinely (!) better than the rest on all counts.
The marketing of the generic synthetic dust bag claims that you get up to 50% more life from these bags compared to paper ones. In my experience though, this figure is more like 20% at best. The generic fabric is not of the same quality as the genuine Nilfisk, so unless you diligently change the bags when they are 80% full, the synthetic bag material will reduce the airflow of your Nilfisk King, and allow more dust to escape. Less airflow and more loose dust means dirty, blocked vacuum filters and a strained vacuum motor... not what you want when cleaning!
You might benefit from the strength of the generic synthetic bag if you are vacuuming a shop or office, and I have even seen glass fragments successfully cleaned up with generic synthetic bags. Where bag strength is your first priority, you should consider running the machine without an exhaust filter. Even though this will allow miniscule dust particles to be blown into the air, it will maintain the best possible airflow through your vacuum and prevent motor damage. Changing the bag often, and keeping your premotor filter clean, will dramatically reduce the dust that is released from your vacuum, and really, in a semi-public place with a high amount of foot traffic, this small amount of dust is of little consequence.
Genuine Nilfisk King Vacuum Bags (81846000) are now made of a white synthetic material. There are 5 bags in each pack plus a free premotor filter. These cost $23.95.
Vacuums with genuine Nilfisk bags stay cleaner inside so their motor brushes are not strained and worn. These bags are also super strong and I have never seen one burst or split in general use... Not that this is impossible... I mean, if a clumsy shop assistant was vacuuming a razor blade shop we might see a different outcome, but to be fair, that’s a pretty niche market! These bags also perform better as they fill up compared to paper ones. You will have better suction for longer with genuine bags, which means quality airflow through the motor and longer life for the exhaust filter. Getting a bonus pre motor filter allows you to change it with every new pack of bags adding to the benefit for your vacuum and your wallet. Genuine bags do cost more per bag than generic, but they will reduce the overall cost of vacuum ownership, and in this way they offer much better value in the long term.
If I know anything about Nilfisk King series vacuums, it’s that their owners are smart and passionate. Make sure that you post your ideas about the best vacuum bags for your vacuum right here in this blog. I would love to hear your vacuum war stories, and I’ll share your triumphs with finding and using the perfect dust bag. If you think I have it all wrong, let me know... I’m sure my wife would love me to be wrong just once. She hasn’t seen it yet….
**insert maniacal laughter here**
Lol! If you ask her she might disagree...
In most industries, if price is your focus when choosing between genuine or generic products, then generic will win 99% of the time. Vacuum cleaner bags for the Nilfisk King are no different.
In my mind though, price is only one consideration. When shopping for Nilfisk King dust bags, it is also smart to think about the bag’s strength and durability, as well as how well it can maintain your vacuum’s airflow and filtration. I will concede my lack of formal scientific qualification; I certainly didn’t don a white coat to write this. (Still, I do have pretty messy hair, and occasionally I can chuckle madly ... but, putting psychological issues aside...) my authority is of a more practical nature. I have serviced a few hundred Nilfisk King vacuums over the last 5 years, and I am an expert on common faults and their causes in this machine.
At VacuumSpot we stock generic dust bags from Cleanstar and Menalux. These are not the cheapest generic bags available, but others are truly inferior and can’t compare with their strength, and their ability to maintain vacuum airflow and filtration. Other generic brands don’t even come close to the quality of genuine Nilfisk bags. Menalux make paper and synthetic bags for Nilfisk King, and we stock both. The paper style bags (T135) cost $10.95. The newer synthetic bags (3201) cost $13.95. Both packs have 5 bags, but no filters.
In the Nilfisk King, the generic paper bags work well for general use provided they are changed often. These bags tend to split when overfilled, and don’t fare well if you accidentally vacuum something pointy or sharp.
Unfortunately, dust and dirt leaking from a split bag causes filter blockages which reduces vacuum airflow and places strain on your motor. It’s great that these generic paper bags are significantly cheaper than genuines, because if you are prepared to change them often they will save you money without too much compromise on your vacuum’s lifespan or performance.
As far as generic synthetic bags go, there are similar pros and cons. They do alleviate the concerns of bag strength that are raised with the paper bags, and are more resilient to splitting and breakage. But, they do not offer the same level of filtration as the genuine synthetic bags, and the heavier material they are made from can actually reduce the vacuum’s airflow and make your motor work that bit harder to achieve maximum suction.
When cash is tight, generic bags will do the job well, but I am convinced that nothing beats genuine Nilfisk bags. They are genuinely (!) better than the rest on all counts.
The marketing of the generic synthetic dust bag claims that you get up to 50% more life from these bags compared to paper ones. In my experience though, this figure is more like 20% at best. The generic fabric is not of the same quality as the genuine Nilfisk, so unless you diligently change the bags when they are 80% full, the synthetic bag material will reduce the airflow of your Nilfisk King, and allow more dust to escape. Less airflow and more loose dust means dirty, blocked vacuum filters and a strained vacuum motor... not what you want when cleaning!
You might benefit from the strength of the generic synthetic bag if you are vacuuming a shop or office, and I have even seen glass fragments successfully cleaned up with generic synthetic bags. Where bag strength is your first priority, you should consider running the machine without an exhaust filter. Even though this will allow miniscule dust particles to be blown into the air, it will maintain the best possible airflow through your vacuum and prevent motor damage. Changing the bag often, and keeping your premotor filter clean, will dramatically reduce the dust that is released from your vacuum, and really, in a semi-public place with a high amount of foot traffic, this small amount of dust is of little consequence.
Genuine Nilfisk King Vacuum Bags (81846000) are now made of a white synthetic material. There are 5 bags in each pack plus a free premotor filter. These cost $23.95.
Vacuums with genuine Nilfisk bags stay cleaner inside so their motor brushes are not strained and worn. These bags are also super strong and I have never seen one burst or split in general use... Not that this is impossible... I mean, if a clumsy shop assistant was vacuuming a razor blade shop we might see a different outcome, but to be fair, that’s a pretty niche market! These bags also perform better as they fill up compared to paper ones. You will have better suction for longer with genuine bags, which means quality airflow through the motor and longer life for the exhaust filter. Getting a bonus pre motor filter allows you to change it with every new pack of bags adding to the benefit for your vacuum and your wallet. Genuine bags do cost more per bag than generic, but they will reduce the overall cost of vacuum ownership, and in this way they offer much better value in the long term.
If I know anything about Nilfisk King series vacuums, it’s that their owners are smart and passionate. Make sure that you post your ideas about the best vacuum bags for your vacuum right here in this blog. I would love to hear your vacuum war stories, and I’ll share your triumphs with finding and using the perfect dust bag. If you think I have it all wrong, let me know... I’m sure my wife would love me to be wrong just once. She hasn’t seen it yet….
**insert maniacal laughter here**
Lol! If you ask her she might disagree...
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