Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I just came across what appears to be a press release regarding, Fresh Ins packets that contain scented baking soda crystals.  Arm & Hammer already produces a bunch of deodorizing disposable bags plus filters for many brands of vacs.  The claim in regard to Fresh Ins is that the product can be dumped into any vacuum, bagged or bagless, to neutralize pet odor and has twice the dedorizing power of Arm & Hammer's bags.  Per the article, the packets sell for about $2.50 for nine packets. Link is here -- http://www.courant.com/features/home/hc-faqpetfresh.artaug06,0,7643952.story?track=rss

Nice idea but I also liked the company provision for info through its "Jill's Secret Solutions" page -- http://armandhammer.com/default.aspx?ITEMID=4  There are all sorts of tips on how to use just plain old cheap baking soda around the house.

One of Jill's ideas is to go directly to the source and give dogs a deodorizing dry bath, sprinkle it on-brush it out, with baking soda.  I also suggest IF you have a quiet vacuum with hose, try vacuuming Rover.  DO NOT use tools with moving parts like air-powered turbo tools, etc.  DO USE a straight suction upholstery tool or dusting brush with the suction relief open or motor speed reduced and stay away from your animals ears and head. 

Your cat or dog of course has to go for the idea and it should not be forced on them.  However, if you've got an animal that likes a thrill, the feel of cool air pulling through its fur as you give it a going over is quite enjoyable.  I remember that my dog began to fall out on the floor waiting to be done with the bare floor tool just about every time I turned the cleaner on.  This is also helpful in that the fur and dandruff you dislodge goes straight into the vacuum. Regular grooming of any kind may help reduce reduce the amount of shed hair and dander you have to tackle come cleaning day.

Best,

Venson

With all the productive uses for baking soda around the home, using it as a test substance to vacuum up and throw away is, IMHO, a waste of time and money.  Especially when other household debris, like sand and/or common household dirt/dust and household by-products, are free, in abundant supply, useless around the home, and certainly more worthy of waste and disposal than a fine multi useful product like baking soda. 

For example, dried out, used coffee grinds are an excellent test substance for vacuums on bare floors AND rugs.  If dried by natural sunlight, they have no odor whatsoever.  And used dried coffee grinds can be weighed before and after pick up by the user to measure vacuum performance.  A unique characteristic of used dried coffee grinds, unlike most other test substances, is that they hold steadfast to their original mass and volume.  Much better than baking soda which is powdery and breaks down/disintegrates/evaporates from the pressure and force of revolving brush rolls and normal vacuuming. 

As the old school saying goes: Waste not/want not!

Carmine D.

A one pound box of baking soda is $ .50.  I will type slowly so you can understand.  Soda is boxed and ready to go.  Who wants to dig up dirt and sand to take to a demo?  I do understand that you are reluctant to admit that the Oreck would fail the test.  Did I tell you how I got a free Dyson?

Another unique characteristic of coff is that it is oily whether moist or dry.  It also is less likely to clog bag pores like soda.  It is evident that you know you are wrong about this test. 

Interesting article.  A&H uses crystallized baking soda to prevent seeping out of the vacuum [a problem with the powdery substance].  And its an exclusive at Wal*Mart stores.  I actually bought it from Wal*Mart and use it.  Where?  In my sand filled backyard for the steel trash can I use for the dog's poop. Works great.  It neutralizes the odor from the contained dog poop.  Not completely, but making it more bearable when the lid is opened.  

It appears that A&H have ORECK bags and filters [based on the name brands listed on its Web site for products] but I can't get a product number and price for the ORECK replacements bags/filters [the latter presumably for the canns].  I get the same responses on the Site that you did.

Carmine D.

Sounds like you got a great deal: A pound of baking soda for $.50.  Sounds like its cheaper by the pounds than it use to be in days past when it came in small little ounce boxes.  I always liked the graphics on the box.  Arm with a hammer.  Great logo. 

If the household baking soda were not so light and powdery, it would make a better vacuum test substance, IMHO.  The powder tends to seep out of the vacuum and evaporate [verified by A&H in the article Venson posted].  As such, it's not the ideal test substance for measuring before and after by the tester/user to determine a vacuum's performance.

Carmine D.

HS:

I can tell from the above response you were never a hobby train enthusiast.  Used sun dried coffee grinds are a staple among train hobbyists for landscaping train layouts.  Why? Its dry, odorless, stainless and looks like real dirt.  And most importantly it has a crystal/particle composition.  Making it an excellent vacuum test substance for all the same reasons.

LIke baking soda, one can buy the imitation dirt from all the hobby stores very cheap.  Why buy when you can make all you want of it free?  Now, if you want different shades [light to dark] of dirt, and know how to achieve them from used coffee grind brands, you're really a hobby train aficionado. 

Carmine D.

Ironically, the side banner on this Web Site listed a source for genuine ORECK bags Type CC for $13 for a pack of 8.  Less than the $2 per bag I paid.

http://www.vacuums24x7.com/oreckbags.html

The odor proof bags are almost $4 per.  I don't think they are worth the price.  I've found the Type CC an excellent buy and performer.  The inside of the outer bag is dust/pet hair free after 15 months of daily use.  Can't get any better than that for a paper bag performance. 

Huge bag with a fool proof fit.  ORECK's least expensive of all paper bags.  With a rubber seal for the bag opening, and a locking dock for the bag.  The combination of the two [seal and locking dock] make the bags leak proof, deform proof, and impossible to put on incorrectly.  And a cinch to install. 

Carmine D.

Carmine,

Sorry not to respond sooner.  Had a golf game.  I do like to look at model train layouts.  I just never had enough interest to make them a hobby.  There is a fantastic on in Chattanooga, TN.  I grew up around cars and trucks ( 18 wheelers ).  I have liked them since I could talk.  I built model cars rather than trucks.  Great idea about the coffee grounds,  I could build a full scale RR in a couple of months,

It appears that you have to contact an A&H person to get a price quote on a particular brand, unless of course you find them in the retailers.  From reading the claims by A&H, the bags/filters are outstanding.   A&H is making the vacuum bags and filters a mainstay venue for its operations.  I'm curious to hear the opinions from the indies about the quality and performace of the A&H bags/filters if they have experience using and selling.

Carmine D. 

Hi Carmine,

I'd like to learn the same.  I think making parts and accessories for other brands is a lot to take on.  What you provide would have to better or at least as good. 

I make exception as Walmart, where shoppers are looking to save, has a large offering of A&H bags for many common, low to moderate price brands like Eureka and Hoover.

Do you have any knowlegde of how well single-ply knock-offs made to fit Electrolux did back in the day as opposed to the genuine article?

Venson

Hi Venson:

The lux replacements were terrible.  I wouldn't use them and/or sell them in my store.  Strictly genuines for the Luxes back in my day.  Even if customers asked for a cheaper bag brand, I wouldn't sell.  I always sold them by the pack, not individually. 

They may have gotten now. 

Carmine D.