Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I checked with Eureka, no longer available, checked with a few distributors, no generic bags available either. These fit the ancient 900 series models (rotomatic) Are there any substitutes a guy could use instead??

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

Elaborate is the wrong word I guess, but early GE swivel-tops employed a somewhat dome-shaped plastic collar inside. You had to fit a portion of the top of the wide mouth disposable bag through it after fitting the lower portion of the paper bag into the permanent cloth bag and then flatten that against the collar before clamping the cover on.  The collar was important due to the design of the machine.  The bottom of the collar allowed for a seal against the rubber ring on the permanent bag as it held the folded over part against a second rubber seal where air entered from the swivel top.  Later GE swivel-top canisters dumped the collar and the puter cover design but the disposable bag style did not change and bag changing remained a little involved.  GE always got points off because of this by way of CR.

As I recall, authentic GE swivel top bags were always pink.  Do you think they did that to please the ladies?

Venson

Hello Venson:

You have excellent knowledge of the GE canns, the cloth bag/paper bag insert with collar.  Huge dirt capacity for a cann.  I used a GE swivel with only cloth bag [and collar] for my under the bench vacuum for many years.  Why?  Good as both a suction cleaner/blower.  I always left the exhaust cover off the vacuum, so I could easily attach the hose for suction/blowing depending on the circumstances.

Carmine D.

Hello Vernon.  Did the SVC bag work out?  I just got a beautiful yellow Eureka Roto-Matic that I am restoring.  The original owner was using the paper bag by itself without the cloth bag.  Did Eureka intend that?  I would think it would leak like a sieve since only the cloth bag has the rubber seal.  I need to clean the cloth bag.  Can it be handwashed?

This is a beautifully styled machine!  I am really going to enjoy it.

Thanks!

Michael

kellyfrey wrote:

Hi Micahel,

Butting in here . . .

Eureka canisters of that type were never intended to be used without the cloth bag.  Disposable bags were more to serve as a liner for the wide-mouth cloth bag.  The cloth bag, first of all, heightened filtering potential and, secondly, without the rubber seal that was around the top of the permanent bag it's doubtful that the machine put out full suction.

Don't wash the cloth bag.  Clean your cloth bag by either taking it outside, turning it inside out and going over it with a whisk broom or brush OR -- more convenient -- use another vacuum to clean the bag.

I remember the Eureka Golden Crowns well.  Enjoy.

Venson

Thanks Venson!  I figured as much.  Is there a particular reason you advise against handwashing the cloth bag?  There are some rust stains from the top of the motor housing on it and I was going to use fresh lemon juice and salt to get them out...then handwash.  The bag doesn't smell particularly fresh either.  I'm relatively sure the bag is made of cotton, so I would think one gentle handwashing would not hurt it.

Michael

It is fine if you handwash the cloth bag.  Just make sure that it is not ready to fall apart on you.  Vacuum collectors do not like to wash bags, because they may loose their color or decals may fall off.  This bag is different.  There are no decals, because it is just a secondary filter.  The main filter is the paper bag.  Since this filter is made of cloth, it will pickup and hold everything.  Sweeping and vacuuming will not remove oils, odors and all of the dirt.  I have cleaned many a cloth inner bag w/o any problems when handled w/care.   Just air dry.

Thanks Mike!

Michael

Mike_W wrote:

Sorry to disagree with you on this Mike, but it's not 'fine,' IMHO.   Vacuum and brush?  Most definitely.  But NEVER EVER use water on a cloth bag of this era, especially if you want to reuse the cloth bag in the vacuum for operational purposes.  Water degrades the porous nature of the cloth bag [and performance] much as filling to capacity with dirt/dust and not dumping.  The bag cloth is made to allow the fibers to give the optimum air filtration and dirt/dust containment.  Washing, even by hand, compromises the filtration performance.  Adding a detergent to the water, even mild, makes the cloth bag fibers even worse. 

Carmine D.

Hi,

During the 1950s and into the 1960s, in regard to many canisters that used both disposable and cloth bags, disposable bags were more a convenience than a "must".  As for filtration, the larger part of GE's, Eureka's, Royal and crew's disposable dust bags were not of great substance. A couple of niche brands were big on touting air quality but Eureka was not among them.  The thin "liners" provided eliminated the larger part of the work in having to repeatedly shake out a cloth bag until it was clean and unclogged.  

The heavvyweight bags used singularly appeared mainly in Electrolux and Air-Way.  Yet even Electrolux and Air-Way, both noted for their especially unique disposable bags, offered cloth bags as an alternative for those who opted for thrift through use of a permanent dust bag.  I thought the like was a waste but knew more than one person who'd acquired them.

Also, though it may take a little time to look, I think I can dredge up a few old vacuum user manuals as well as housekeeping guides of that of that era that did not recommend washing cloth dust bags.  The usual rule was to buy a replacement cloth bag if the original had gotten a little ratty.

As for odors, try a little dry borax or a tadsworth of moth crystals.

Venson

Though from way back in the day, here's a major manufacturer's, not a collector's, advice regarding bag care ---

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=825-07.jpg&dir=/OWNERS_MANUALS/Hoover%20825

Venson