Vacuum Dust Bags - A Rip Off?

[Kingy]

What's the deal with dust bags?

I have just bought a Miele vacuum, (much better than those Dyson's I have had), but the one drawback is the dust bags.

Over a pound each and they don't seem to last any more than a few weeks before the indicator says they are full and should be replaced.

Are the paper ones that bad? (They're not much cheaper in any circumstances). This cloth bag is supposed to only a one-shot affair and is not to be re-used. Can this be correct?

Are we being ripped of??

[Jay70]

You should have got a Goblin they dont need a bag - mine is 13 yrs old and still going strong.

[Ethel]

Phone them and ask about the cloth bag.

http://www.miele.co.uk/

[Kingy]

Ethel

Did this already and I got the standard reply about the effectiveness and efficiency being diminshed if I didn't replace the cloth bags.

Also, my warranty would also be voided if I didn't use Miele products.

Now, am I being too cynical to suggest that Miele might just have a vested interest in me buying their products and no other?!?

[Ethel]

I'm really disappointed to hear this, kingy.

Somehow I expected better.

[steve208]

i know this may seem a bit hartd work but why not just empty the vacum bag into a plastic bag then put in dustbin. The vacum bag can then be reused?!!

[neuron]

I've never accepted this nonsense from Miele.

I take the full bag outside and place it in a dustbin liner. I then close the dustbin liner as much as possible, put my hand into the dustbin liner and drag the stuff out of the Miele bag using my fingers. Shake the Miele bag upside-down in the bin liner to get the last of the dust out.

You'll find you should be able to get about 99% of the stuff out of the Miele bag. Keep the dustbin liner tightly closed and then pull out your hand. leave the dust to settle for a few minutes in the dustbin liner and then remove the Miele bag. Give it a quick shake and it's almost as good as new

This won't work forever, but it will cut down the costs tremendously.

I've used this method with four different Miele models over more years than I care to remember.

[Kingy]

Neuron.

You're inspired!!

I have a feeling there are others out there with similar opinions, but being the cynic that I am, I'd like to hear if anyone genuinely believes that there is a fundamentally good reason not re-use these cloth bags.

[ship69]

@Ethel
> Phone them and ask about the cloth bag.
> http://www.miele.co.uk
I just phoned them and they told me they do not do a cloth bag. [grrr]

Here is another option which seems to be machine washable!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Vacuum-Cleaner-Bag-Reusable/dp/B001GFH7TU

However it looks like you will need to be good at DYI to fit the d*mned thing!

[ship69]

Any other ideas?