Which vacuum cleaner is better - with or without a dust bag
When we watch TV commercials where a miraculous vacuum cleaner cleans the whole apartment in no time, I want to buy the same one. We all know about vacuum cleaners equipped with dust bags. But more and more can be seen advertising bagless vacuum cleaners. The commercials praise all their advantages, but nothing is said about the flaws. Sellers in household appliances stores do the same thing - they enthusiastically list the strengths of vacuum cleaner models, and they try to keep silent about their disadvantages. Even the mistress, not always happy with how her vacuum cleaner works, is a little disingenuous in her conversation with her neighbor, assuring her her model is the best. In this material we will try to determine and figure out which vacuum cleaner is better - with or without a dust bag.
Content:
What are dust collectors and how do they differ
According to this parameter, vacuum cleaners can be divided into three varieties. Each of them has its own leaders, filtering just fine, so that there is no speck of dust left. However, in all types there are outsiders who do poorly with their task. We’ll talk about this later, but for now we’ll find out how the three main types of vacuum cleaners differ from each other.
A dust bag in the form of a bag for collecting dust - a classic in modern processing
About 50 years ago, a classic model of a vacuum cleaner was invented. Over time, she improved, becoming more comfortable and ergonomic. The developers equipped the new units with high-quality filters, quiet engines and various additional functions. They also worked on the design - the models exhibited today in the store shine with originality and variety.
Many modern vacuum cleaners have built-in advanced features. They can wash windows, clean surfaces with steam, and do wet cleaning with detergent. There are those who knock out and comb out long-pile carpets. Naturally, positive changes affected both dust collectors and the filtering system.
Vacuum cleaner with dust bag.
A dust collector with a dust collector in the form of a container - the so-called "cyclone"
Manufacturers dubbed “cyclones” vacuum cleaners with a transparent dust container. In this tank, a real hurricane really forms - an air stream, together with dust and debris, will fly up by a powerful whirlwind. During this hurricane, the dust is tightly pressed against the walls of the container and its bottom. And as soon as the vacuum cleaner turns off, all the debris falls into the lower part of the tank.
Engineers of the British company Dyson improved this system; they equipped vacuum cleaners with several degrees of cleaning. The first is a cylindrical pipe in which a swirling flow of intake air is created. As a result, all large debris remains on the walls of this pipe. The second filter is a cone, which also creates a vortex that removes fine dust. And that's not all - the third HEPA filter cleans the air leaving the vacuum cleaner.
Thrifty Chinese decided to save money by simplifying the English cyclone model. Their engineers worked hard, trying to reduce the cost of a vacuum cleaner without a bag. Indeed, the demand for such units was constantly increasing - more and more consumers did not want to mess with removable dust bags, preferring a neat plastic container to them. And sometimes it was not possible to find a dust bag for your model of vacuum cleaner.
But in Europe, manufacturers have long gravitated to the classics, delaying the release of cyclone vacuum cleaners. The reason for this was some of the disadvantages inherent in such devices.And consumers in these countries believe that it is more practical and hygienic to use classic vacuum cleaners. And they have no problems with buying the right dust bag. However, European manufacturers began producing container models. True, for the most part they sell them on the market of developing countries.
Cyclonic vacuum cleaner and dust container.
At the very beginning of the production of such models, every housewife dreamed of having a cyclone type vacuum cleaner. It seemed like a miracle of modern technology, and people did not see any flaws in it. If you ask anyone then which vacuum cleaner is better - with a bag or container, the second option invariably was chosen. To possess such an apparatus meant to be “advanced” and fashionable, to keep up with the eyelid. The prestigious novelty immediately increased self-esteem for its owner - he was proud that he owns a device made using the latest technologies.
Several years passed, and it turned out that there are plenty of minuses for such models. Perhaps even more than the pros. And they make too much noise, and the air is disgustingly clean, and the filters that stand behind the cyclone, they need to be cleaned constantly. And when cleaning all these filters, I had to constantly swallow dust. Cyclone models gradually went out of fashion, and the euphoria from the possession of a technical novelty disappeared, giving way to disappointment. Owners are slowly getting rid of such vacuum cleaners, sending them to the eternal link to the cottage or to the barn. Design flaws could not be finalized, and the model is gradually losing ground.
Aqua filter dust collector
There are models of vacuum cleaners in which the dust container is filled with water. It is called an aqua filter. When dirty air passes through such a tank, large particles of dust sink in the water, while small and light ones float to the surface. When the cleaning is completed, it is enough to pour dirty water, and then rinse the tank and dry it.
The first units, which clean the air efficiently with the help of a water tank, had an industrial scale. They were used in hospitals, laboratories, in food enterprises - where cleanliness and sterility were required. These devices were large and heavy, were expensive and had a rather complicated design. Several nozzles sprayed water, forming a fine suspension that trapped dust particles from the air passing through it. The remaining dust was absorbed by a water vortex, going to the next stage of purification.
After the refinement and cheapening of such a unit, a household vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter appeared. He, of course, was not able to purify the air to sterility, but he had a very reasonable price and small dimensions. Alas - and this model has many disadvantages. Especially many complaints from consumers are caused by cheap vacuum cleaners of this type. The longer the owner uses such an aggregate, the more disappointed in him. Therefore, buyers have now somewhat lost interest in devices using a water filter.
Aqua filter.
We compare the most important characteristics of all three types of dust collectors
Simplicity and practicality of use
#1. Classic model with a bag. This vacuum cleaner is the easiest to care for. His design is familiar and simple - any home master can easily figure it out. It does not need to be washed before work, and neither washed nor cleaned or dried. Plug in the socket - and enjoy your health.
But only for consumables (in particular, for dust collectors) sometimes you have to run around the shops. Many models are produced, and each requires its own consumables. And on rare models you don’t have to find dust bags at all.
#2. Model with a container. The cyclone vacuum cleaner, according to advertising, is an innovative and modern device. Fans of new products, deciding which one to choose a vacuum cleaner with a bag or container, will stop at the latter. But this type of vacuum cleaner also has a number of disadvantages associated with its operation. As a rule, the power of this unit is not regulated.After all, air vortices are designed for a certain speed of the air stream. If it is reduced by rotating the power control, then the cyclones will shift or not form at all. So manufacturers removed this regulator. However, the speed of the air stream may suddenly decrease for another reason.
This often happens unexpectedly and unpredictably. For example, a hose is bent or a brush sucks a curtain, rug, slippers. A weak or broken cyclone stops purifying the air. Moreover, the collected dust leaves the container back, clogging additional and protective filters. As a result, the vacuum cleaner gradually starts to draw air slightly, the motor heats up, makes noise and wears out quickly. And if large and solid particles come into the dust, they will rattle and scratch the container. Its walls become muddy, and it is hard to see what is happening inside. Neither the filter can be seen, nor the amount of garbage checked.
Container after work.
The container, after cleaning, you need to get out of the vacuum cleaner and pour out the accumulated debris.
Manufacturers (though not all) decided to take care of customers: they, knowing that, users of cyclone vacuum cleaners sooner or later face all their shortcomings, in their devices gave the opportunity to choose a dust bag. They can be used as a container with a vortex treatment, or you can use a classic bag. This option was to the taste of many consumers.
#3. Model with an aqua filter. The advertisement for these vacuum cleaners is impressive. She is so convincing that she wants to run to the store for such an “advanced” device. However, it will not be out of place to find out that aqua vacuums do not like thresholds, carpets and other obstacles. They are very “gentle” in terms of striking furniture and pulling the hose. That's because with all these shocks, the water in the tank splashes, splashes and leaks.
If you want to clean the apartment after repair, where there is a lot of garbage, then the water will also leak. After all, her level will rise too much. Therefore, you need to monitor the amount of water in the tank. And for every 10 square meters you will have to add or change water from two to five times - this is necessary so that the filters do not clog. And when cleaning is done at the factory, in a hotel or office, it is very inconvenient. After all, a tap with water can be located far enough. So in reality, everything is not as beautiful as in advertising.
And if detergents or cleaning products accidentally get into the water tank, then it’s all a disaster. Manufacturers prohibit this, as the water begins to foam very much, form splashes and leak from the device to the floor. Therefore, you need to take care of a special additive that extinguishes the foam. It is added to a container of water. By the way, this additive costs about the same as replaceable bags for the classic model.
And when the cleaning is completed, the fun begins. All filter elements and other parts that come in contact with dirty water will have to be washed thoroughly. Sometimes this process drags on for a long time, and even more time is spent on it than on cleaning. Especially if the room we are cleaning has a modest size. After washing, the parts must be dried, and then leave the vacuum cleaner disassembled (so that it does not start to smell unpleasant). So you have to look for a special place where to put these parts - it will take a lot. And before each cleaning, you also need to assemble the unit, spending a lot of time.
Large vacuum cleaners with an aqua filter are not very convenient to use. They are so heavy and bulky that not every housewife will cope with them. Cleaning with such a device is akin to doing in the gym. And such a whopper can’t maneuver between furniture, and with a high height of the case, it often overturns, which is very depressing for the owner of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, devices with an aqua filter are mainly used only for general cleaning - this is where they are most effective. And in order to quickly clean an apartment in a week, people buy another small and cheap vacuum cleaner with a classic “bag” design.
Manufacturers of models with aqua filters also felt in time that they needed to rebuild. Realizing that their devices have disadvantages that can scare away the buyer, they built in a number of models the possibility of using a dust bag. The owner of such a vacuum cleaner is free to choose how to use it when cleaning: “wet” using an aqua filter or classic “dry” using a bag. If you are interested in the question of which vacuum cleaner is better - with an aqua filter or a cyclone, then by comparing the above information you can make your choice.
Aqua filter tank with waste water.
Which vacuum cleaner cleans cleaner
#1. Classic model with a bag. Among the units offered on the market, you can always find one that will satisfy your "purity bar". The quality of the cleaning depends on the quality of the filters, as well as on their quantity. Dust bags are sold very different:
Paper bags with one or two layers.
Synthetic in one, two or three layers.
Putting the right dust bag, you can achieve the desired result. If disposable bags are temporarily out of stock, use a reusable fabric bag that comes with the vacuum cleaner.
When the dust collector becomes clogged, the quality of the cleaning drops sharply, as the air is less sucked in. But if you use synthetic three-layer bags, then the force of absorption of air practically does not change. Therefore, it is more profitable to use such a dust collector than paper - it serves one and a half or two times longer.
#2. Model with a container.The vortex formed in the tank copes with heavy dust particles, removing them from the air. Moreover, the suction force does not decrease even when the container is filled with debris. However, this only happens ideally - provided that the filters in front of and after the engine are not clogged. In real life, filters quickly become clogged with dust.
The force of the vortex cannot cope with long and light particles. These are, for example, scraps of thread, hair, fluffs and feathers. When such garbage is collected, additional and protective filters become clogged quickly. They can be represented by nylon nets, HEPA filters, flat foam filters, as well as “glasses”, “flasks” and “accordions” of synthetic material.
#3. Model with an aqua filter. Such a vacuum cleaner remarkably removes debris that can get wet or dissolve in water.
However, there is a category of garbage that does not get wet. For example, goose and duck feathers, shreds of oily wool, waste plastic, polymers, water-repellent fabrics. By removing all these cuttings, shavings and pieces, the vacuum cleaner spends a lot of effort, which leads to a quick clogging of the filters and a decrease in the suction capacity. And the filtering quality also drops sharply.
Ecological and hygienic use
#1. Classic model with a bag. A disposable bag, replaced once every one and a half or two months, is used very hygienically. But to change the cloth dust bag, shaking it and breathing dust, is not a pleasure. And it is not very useful for health, especially for allergy sufferers.
Buying this bag sometimes turns into a lottery. After all, they are made by many manufacturers, and not all of them are bona fide. A bad dust bag breaks quickly, passes a lot of dust, breaks when wet or under high pressure. It is easy to cut through it with something sharp, and sometimes it starts to smell bad due to bacteria multiplying inside. Therefore, when buying new bags, you should avoid cheap models without identification marks.
#2. Model with a container. Every person who has a vacuum cleaner, at least once, felt a slight electric shock from his body. This is a “surprise” of static electricity that can accumulate. Container models are the leaders in this indicator. Plastic parts are quickly charged with electricity from vortices walking in the tank. And if you touch the body of such an aggregate, you can get not quite a pleasant sensation of electric shock.
As mentioned above, when using such a vacuum cleaner, there are many points that make it difficult to form vortices. This happens when the device is turned on and off, a large pile of debris, bending the hose, suctioning the brush to the bedside rug or curtain can destroy the vortex formation. A weak cyclone does a poor job of cleaning the air from dust. From this clogged mass of filters, which after each cleaning must be long and tedious to clean. It is unlikely that anyone will be pleased with the procedure for cleaning “flasks”, “cups” and other products. And health "thank you" for it will not say.
#3. Model with an aqua filter. Dust entering the air bubbles does not linger in such a vacuum cleaner. Each bursting bubble releases dust particles out of the water without any filtering. Since the air flows at high speed, the water evaporates quickly enough, and its level drops. As soon as it reaches the lower limit, polluted air will pass through the filter, not being cleaned at all.
And if organic debris has accumulated in the aqua filter, then in combination with heat and moisture, this leads to a sad result. All sorts of bacteria, mold and fungus begin to multiply rapidly - they like this medium. Most of all they like foam and HEPA filters. And during the cleaning, the most unpleasant thing happens - bacterial spores spread throughout the apartment.
The price of the vacuum cleaner and the costs of its operation
#1. The classic model. Depending on the requests and the size of the wallet, you can purchase a similar device at a price of $ 100 to $ 1,000. When using it is convenient to throw away a full bag, replacing it with a new one. The cost of such bags is low: consumer costs are $ 1 in one or two months. Such an inexpensive service is a plus of these devices.
#2. Model with a container. Protective and additional filters of such units are of high cost. The issue price is from $ 20 to $ 200, and it’s not always possible to find the right filter on sale. So the vacuum cleaner is idle, waiting for the necessary spare parts to be bought. True, they require replacement not so often.
#3. Model with an aqua filter.We will not repeat about saving bags - here is the same as in the previous paragraph. We’d better talk about the quickly failing filters that are behind the aquafilter. These are various cones, flat parts and cubes made of foam rubber, as well as harmonica filters made of synthetic material. They cost from $ 10 to $ 100, and they can not be found in the store.
All this is more inherent in inexpensive (from 200 to 300 $) and small models of not very well-known brands. There are vacuum cleaners in which these shortcomings are almost eliminated. They have more impressive dimensions, and the design is more complex. Accordingly, their price is higher - from 400 to 1000 $.
No matter what we advise, of course, you yourself decide which model is more suitable for your home. We hope that the information we provided will help you find your “vacuum cleaner”. Good luck with your purchase!
