Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

So, the Miele Plus that I got for 15 bucks came with only one bag.  The bag in it is a paper bag that is Miele brand.  The machine has a slight dog smell so I'm thinking/hoping that changing the bag and filters will eliminate that some... plus I needed to stock up on extra bags.  I got 10 FJM bags and 4 filters (two of each kind, post and pre motor) for 20 bucks.  They are DVC brand.  While I know that DVC makes generic bags that typically aren't as good a quality as genuine, I'm pretty impressed with these bags.  They aren't paper, they are the fiber material that kind of feel like cloth that are supposed to be better at filtering.  I guess to do a proper comparision, I would need to compare it to the Miele version (versus the paper Miele that I have in the machine now)... but these DVC Allergen bags seem great.  They are thick, the seams have a good seal, and they even have the opening that slides shut when the bag is changed.  IIRC, the Miele version of these bags was 50 dollars a box and I just didn't want to spend that much!

I remember when I sold vacuums at Sears there was a choice of the yellow paper bags or the faux cloth ones that were 4 dollars a piece. 

Are any of you here happy with DVC bags, or are you a purist who insists on only manufacturer branded items for your machines?

Hi Venson:

$4 plus per bag is not bad.  I suspect one bag will last a month or more depending on usage. 

We've touched on these issues before and even recently.  Bag quality [not only filtration] with the odor resistant and anti-bacterial additives are serving the vacuum industry very well.  I suspect the pleated paper filters even in the cheap bagless vacuums will move in this direction soon if not already [ARM & HAMMER filters] and provide benefits/advantages over the washable foam filters. 

Carmine D. 

I put in a new bag and post and pre motor filter.  Wow, am I impressed.  The doggy smell from the previous owner is completely gone now (much easier than de-dogging my dyson which took months)... and the already tremendous suction was doubled.  I want to vacuum every floor in the world now!

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:
That's the thing; whereas you have to spend ages washing and drying bagless bins and filters, Dysons included, a bagged cleaner usually just means replacing a smelly bag and filter with a nice new bag and filter. Problem solved.