Now everyone, without exception, has a household appliance such as a vacuum cleaner in their home. The latest generation of vacuum cleaners are mainly equipped with cyclone or reusable dust collectors, but not everyone has modern vacuum cleaners at home. Disposable dust collection bags can be bought in stores, but owners of old vacuum cleaners are faced with the problem of a lack of dust collectors for their models in stores, which forces them to make consumables with their own hands.
In this article you will learn how to make vacuum cleaner bags yourself and at the same time save your budget and time on buying new ones.
Is it possible to do it yourself?
Vacuum cleaners have two types of bags: disposable and reusable. Disposable ones are convenient because you don’t need to shake out the trash; after cleaning, they are immediately thrown away. They are made from filtered paper. It allows air to pass through, but particles of dust and debris are retained in it. Less commonly, such dust collectors are made from synthetic fabric folded in several layers. They are stronger and can be used for multiple cleanings. But after filling, they still need to be thrown away. Constantly buying new bags can be expensive. And for each vacuum cleaner model they are different.
That's why many people use reusable dust bags. After filling, they are shaken out and reinserted into the vacuum cleaner. To do this, there is a clasp or plastic clip on the back side. They are made from denser material. But it must allow air to pass through well, otherwise the motor will work with overload.
To properly make a vacuum cleaner bag with your own hands , you must take into account the recommendations of experts:
- it is important to choose the right material;
- it must be made according to the model of an old dust collector;
- It is better to use Velcro or a plastic clip for the fastener, as the zipper gets clogged quickly.
Note! An incorrectly made, improperly sized or low-quality dust collector can ruin the vacuum cleaner.
The principle of making a dust bag
- A rectangular piece of material of the required size is folded in two layers for better filtration ability.
- Closer to one edge, cut out a hole in the form of a circle.
- The free edges of the product are folded, glued or stapled. If you have a machine, they sew it.
- The workpiece is turned inside out, leaving all the allowances inside the bag.
- Circles of a certain diameter are drawn on two cardboard sheets.
- Each piece is generously coated with glue and glued to the front and back of the bag, observing the entrances.
The result is a completely high-quality disposable homemade dust bag, which will ensure high-quality operation of the device.
If you want to make a reusable product, then the cardboard must be replaced with stronger plastic, and the spunbond must be folded in three layers, in which case the accessory can last longer, and washing will not cause difficulties. You can use one more trick and attach plastic elements that remain from the original package to the new product. And to simplify emptying the dust bin from debris on one edge, it is advisable to provide a practical fastener with a special Velcro tape or zipper.
Some thrifty housewives, who do not want to spend extra money on purchasing new materials, use a piece of denim (a trouser leg from old jeans or another item of clothing) as a blank for a new dust collector, and fasten the product with high-strength, high-quality threads.
A vacuum cleaner is a practical household appliance, without which it is difficult to imagine modern life. It’s a pity that one of the most important elements of the device, the dust bag, wears out quickly, and the opportunity to buy the necessary accessory for a specific model of the device is not always available. And it’s very convenient that you can make a bag with your own hands in just an hour and a half. The main thing is to choose the right materials and design working patterns, then the finished product will cope perfectly with the task and will extend the service life of the unit as a whole.
What material can you sew from?
For the dust collector you need to choose the right material. Disposable ones are made from paper or cheap synthetic fabrics. Paper is convenient because it is easy to make a bag out of it, and after cleaning it you just need to throw it away. Disposable dust collectors are convenient for collecting small household waste, as long as it is not wet. If the dust bag ruptures, the engine may become clogged.
A reusable vacuum cleaner bag is best made from synthetic fabric. It is better to take spunbond material. It allows air to pass through, but the pores are so small that particles of dust and debris cannot pass through. Therefore, it works as an additional filter. This fabric is durable, easy to wash and does not deform. Its density varies, for a bag it should be at least 80g/m2.
You can also use teak, which is a cushion fabric. It is also breathable, but durable and does not allow dust particles to pass through. You can make a dust collector from non-woven fabric, but you will have to fold it several times. Denim or corduroy can be used from dense materials, the main thing is that they allow air to pass through well.
Production of filter materials
The variety of filter materials is due not only to the dynamic development of textile production, but also to the modernization of systems for cleaning the environment from harmful emissions.
Filter fabrics are made from natural or synthetic fibers with a diameter of 10-30 microns, twisted into threads with a diameter of up to 0.5 mm. The distance between the threads is usually 100-200 microns. The weft and warp threads form a mesh, which can additionally be intertwined with fibers. Contaminated air, liquid or gas, passing between the threads, is cleaned, leaving a sediment on the surface of the material. The presence of lint improves the filtering ability of the fabric. The principle of operation of the filter resembles a sieve - it passes purified air, liquid, oil through it, trapping various contaminants on the surface.
Important! The fabric comes into working condition after several cycles of contamination and cleaning. After some time, a residual dust layer forms on the fabric, which forms an additional filter. As a result of the continuous filtration process, this layer, together with the fabric's resistance, is stabilized and preserved. When dust gets stuck in the pores of the fabric, moisture condenses on the surface or becomes oily, the fabric's resistance increases.
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Production of filter materials
Drawings, diagrams, dimensions
For the incoming hole you will need a piece of thick cardboard measuring 30x15 cm. Cut it in half. In the middle of each workpiece, draw a circle along the diameter of the hose inlet. In some models, the dust collector is secured with a plastic holder. Such a mount can also be made from thick cardboard or removed from an old bag.
The piece of material should be 1-1.5 m in size. It is better to make a bag from fabric folded in half or three. Use an old dust collector as a pattern. If this is not possible, you need to take measurements from the vacuum cleaner. To do this, open the lid and measure the length and width of the compartment.
Attention! It is necessary to make seam allowances of at least 1-2 cm. Without this, the finished dust collector will be smaller than necessary, which will negatively affect the operation of the vacuum cleaner.
Kinds
Karcher vacuum cleaners can be used for wet and dry cleaning of a residential building, collecting construction waste, and cleaning the interior of a car. The company produces products for both household and industrial use.
Detergents
Bagless vacuum cleaners are designed for wet and dry cleaning in houses or apartments. The device allows you to thoroughly clean hard or soft floor coverings from dust. When switching to wet wiping mode, the device sprays the cleaning agent and then sucks it in along with the dissolved dirt. The Karcher company produces high-quality washing vacuum cleaners for the home, characterized by high power and energy efficiency. A wide range of attachments allows you to use the device for processing any surface.
Steam
Karcher steam vacuum cleaners are designed to remove dust, debris and stubborn dirt. A special filtration system and a set of accessories allows you to clean floor coverings, upholstered furniture and plumbing fixtures. The vacuum cleaner can collect large volumes of liquid.
The convenient and compact design of the wireless module makes it easy to move the device.
Household
Karcher household vacuum cleaners are distinguished by high suction power and a wide range of functions. The advantages of this line are the following characteristics:
- low power consumption;
- durability of accessories and replacement parts;
- ease of management and storage;
- the presence of a filtration system that allows you to easily remove and replace cartridges without contact with dust and debris.
The class of household cleaning equipment includes the following subspecies:
- Car vacuum cleaners. Suitable for removing dust and dirt from car interiors and trunks. Can be used both in home and industrial environments.
- Garden vacuum cleaners. They help bring order to your summer cottage, facilitating the process of collecting small debris, sand and fallen leaves.
- Construction vacuum cleaners. Repair and finishing work is always accompanied by contamination of the premises. Karcher household devices help to cope with this problem. They absorb fine dust, construction waste, and dry plaster mixtures well.
Garden vacuum cleaner bag
Many summer residents use devices called garden vacuum cleaners to collect leaves and small debris from the garden. You can also make such a device yourself. An ordinary vacuum cleaner with a power of at least 2 kW is required. In this case, a plastic barrel or a piece of wide sewer pipe is used to collect leaves. A cloth bag must be inserted inside it.
In size, it should be 1-2 cm smaller than the diameter of the pipe, so that when the engine is running, it is stretched and adjacent to its walls. This bag is made from spunbond with a density of 30-50 g/m2. If it is denser, the vacuum cleaner’s power will not be enough for suction. It is sewn in a cylindrical shape. At the front edge you need to make a hole for the pipe. To prevent it from wobbling, line it with a rubber seal.
The best vacuum cleaners with a dust collector
Every month the household appliances market is ready to offer consumers at least one new model, but there are also those that, having won the love and recognition of housewives, have not left store shelves for several years, which allows you to understand which vacuum cleaner with a bag is better.
TOP 5 best-selling models that received high reviews from customers:
- Samsung SC5491 is a budget model with high suction power and ergonomic design. Compactness and convenience are the main advantages of this device.
- Samsung SC21F60YG. The model is equipped with a higher quality HEPA13 air filter and an impressive set of attachments. The manufacturer offers a UV disinfection lamp included with the product.
- Philips FC 9071 - excellent power and innovative brush design allow you to get your carpet and floor in order in a matter of seconds, dealing with even the smallest debris.
- Philips FC 9174 differs from the previous model by a larger compartment for the dust collector, which increases the time intervals between bag changes, and rubberized wheels, which facilitate the process of transporting the device during cleaning.
- Electrolux USENERGY Ultra Silencer is a quiet and compact vacuum cleaner that combines good consumer properties and a reasonable price.
As practice shows, design occupies the very last place in the choice of a device, giving way to its technical characteristics.
Basic rules for choosing a replacement bag
There are several criteria that help you figure out how to choose the right vacuum cleaner bag:
The material from which the product is made. Statistics show that synthetic dust collectors are more popular among housewives than those made of paper. Dust container thickness When choosing a replacement bag, you should pay attention to the number of layers of filter material, which can be one, two, three or four
The more there are, the cleaner the air, since each subsequent layer ensures more efficient dust deposition inside the dust collector. Bag capacity When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the volume of the bag and the correspondence of the grooves in the dust bag holder to the recesses on the specific model of the dust bag. Many manufacturers place on the packaging a list of brands of vacuum cleaners for which the bags are suitable, which makes the selection process more convenient. Tight fit and hold the bag in place
If possible, try to purchase dust collectors with a rubber sealing ring for a more airtight fit and a microfilter to protect the internal filter of the device.
Interestingly, on average, a high-quality replacement bag lasts at least 6 weeks, which is a whole month and a half of cleanliness! If we add to this high hygiene and quick change, then these qualities are quite enough to justify the decent cost of such products.
Necessary material and tools
In order to make a dust collection bag with your own hands, you need to purchase the following list of materials and tools:
- Sharp scissors (can be used for metal) for cutting cardboard and a regular marker or pencil.
- Thick rectangular cardboard measuring approximately 300x150 mm, which will then be divided into 2 parts.
- Connecting materials - stapler and glue.
- Spunbond is a fabric material sold at any hardware store. It must be selected with a density in the segment of at least 60-80 g/m.
How to choose the right model
Samsung offers various options for dirt collectors
When choosing bags for a vacuum cleaner, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
Material: it is better to choose more durable and resistant synthetics than paper; Volume: selected depending on the model of the vacuum cleaner. If the bag is small, it will have to be changed often, the vacuum cleaner will not be able to work at full capacity, if it is large, then it may not fit into the equipment or will damage it when filled; Dimensions: it is important to pay attention not only to the dimensions of the bag itself, but also to the diameter of the hole to which the hose is connected; Wall thickness: the thicker they are, the stronger the package; Manufacturer: it is better to choose a model from the same company as the vacuum cleaner; it is ideal to choose containers specifically for a specific model
When purchasing, you need to make sure that this container fits the vacuum cleaner: all suitable models are listed on the packaging of the bags.
What kind of dust collectors can you make yourself?
Due to the different types of materials used, dust collectors are:
- disposable
- reusable
Reusable accessories can be used more than once. They are made from durable high quality fabrics. Once filled, discard the contents and return the garbage disposal to the structure. Sometimes you can wash the bag, but the manufacturer does not recommend doing this. Otherwise, during washing, the distance between the fibers of the bag increases and the garbage container retains dirt and dust less well. And letting dust inside the structure negatively affects the performance of the vacuum cleaner engine and can lead to damage.