Methods for washing and cleaning a vacuum cleaner bag

The collected dust and small debris ends up in the dust collector of the vacuum cleaner; it must be periodically removed and emptied of its contents. You can wash a vacuum cleaner bag, but only if it is a reusable product made of a fabric-like material. Paper bags are not washed, but simply thrown away when they are full.

Why wash the dust bag?

Recently, many models of vacuum cleaners have appeared on the shelves of stores selling household appliances, in which a plastic container serves as a dust collector. Very convenient: wash it and no problems. However, products with traditional bags also continue to be produced and are popular. Therefore, questions remain: how to properly clean the dust collection bag, can it be washed and how often should this be done?

Regular cleaning of the device is necessary for three reasons:

1. In order to maintain the power of the device at the level specified by the manufacturer. If the filters in the device are clogged with dust and debris, the suction power is noticeably reduced.
2. To prevent the device from overheating.
3. So that no dust particles remain in the air leaving the vacuum cleaner.

If an unpleasant odor appears during operation of the device and the body of the device quickly heats up, you must immediately begin cleaning the filters and dust container.

Types of bags

There are two types of products used in bagged vacuum cleaners: disposable and reusable.

Disposable dust bags are made of thick paper or thin synthetic material that disintegrates when in contact with water. The disposable bag filled with dust is sealed and sent to the trash bin, and a new one takes its place.

With proper care, a reusable bag can be used for several years until the fabric tears or the clasp breaks. After cleaning, the fabric dust collector is shaken out. However, there comes a time when the material becomes completely clogged with dirt and dry cleaning no longer gives positive results. In this case, the bag can be washed, although manufacturers do not recommend this.

Washing the fabric dust collector in a washing machine is prohibited as it may cause deformation of the product.

Based on the type of material, reusable bags are divided into the following groups:

• cotton - have seams into which debris gets clogged;
• synthetic — easy to clean by knocking out, washable without problems, since they have no seams, but do not tolerate brushing;
• made of non-woven fabric - the most advanced products with special protective impregnation, used in expensive modern models.

The type of dust collector determines how quickly it will become dirty and how it will have to be cleaned. It is recommended to dry clean when 2/3 full; washing is usually carried out after 5-6 knockouts.

How to clean a reusable dust bag?

Before you start washing the fabric dust collector, you must completely empty it of dust and small debris and shake it out thoroughly. This is done as follows:

1. Disconnect the device from the power supply.
2. Open the lid of the vacuum cleaner and carefully remove the dust bag.By pulling the special loop, close the dust container and place it in a plastic bag.
3. It is better to shake out the bag outside. If you carry out this event in an apartment, there is a risk that all the dust will remain inside the room and will have to be cleaned again.
4. Remove the clamp and shake out the dust into a trash can or other suitable place. You can immediately clean the walls of the bag with a brush or, when you return, go through a second vacuum cleaner (if you have one).

Now all that remains is to correctly insert the dust collector into the vacuum cleaner chamber, making sure that the hole in the bag coincides with the outlet of the unit, and close the lid. The device is ready for use again.

How to wash a vacuum cleaner bag?

To wash a vacuum cleaner bag while maintaining its appearance and functionality, you need to know some of the features of the process and take into account the manufacturer’s recommendations.

All types of reusable bags, no matter what material they are made from, are hand wash only. Otherwise, damage to the plastic elements may occur. It is better to use gel as a detergent, but you can also use washing powder and laundry soap.

The work is carried out in several stages:

1. 5–6 liters of water are taken into the basin, the temperature of which is not higher than +30°C. Washing in hot water may cause the fabric to shrink and the product to become deformed.
2. Dilute a little detergent. If it is a powder, then it must be diluted so that the water is almost clear. Do the same with laundry soap.
3. The filter, cleaned of dust, is placed in water and, without much effort, squeezed by hand. The bag can now be left to soak for 50-60 minutes.
4. The product is rinsed several times in cool water, after which it is laid out on a wire rack over the bathtub.
5. After the excess moisture has drained, the filter should be blotted with a towel and hung out to dry. Radiators, heaters, hair dryers and other electrical appliances should not be used for drying.

As soon as the dust collector is completely dry, it is installed in the vacuum cleaner - and you can start cleaning again.

You cannot use an under-dried filter, since a humid environment promotes the proliferation of harmful microorganisms, which are already present in excess in dust particles.

Proper and regular care of your vacuum cleaner will extend its service life. After cleaning, you need to check the filters and, if necessary, wash and dry them. A full disposable dust bag should be thrown away, but a cloth bag can be washed, dried and reused.