Vacuum Dust Bags - Are We Being Ripped 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 off??

[B00]

I think all dustbags say they aren't to be re-used don't they? but I always do- at least 3 times! I don't see the problem with this as long as if your careful emptying the bag full of crap.

Quite possibly a ploy by the manufactorers to make you buy them when it's not strictly necessary????

[rockyracoon]

Try this website, you might find them cheaper here. I've just ordered some for my Vax and they came within 3 days.


http://www.dustbag.co.uk/

[rockyracoon]

Wow maybe not, just looked at the price of the Miele ones ouch

[d0gsb0dy]

We have a Henry (splendid cleaners!) and we have now managed to buy a re-usable bag for it at a cost of �10. This money will soon be recuperated. Might be worth checking around to see if there is one available for your machine.

[shaneystar2]

They can' t be reused ..more's the pity .We have a Miele Cat and Dog and pay �7.99 for a pack of six bags .This is quite a lot of dosh when you have to clean up behind a large hairy pooch ! I have looked everywhere and this is the cheapest I can find at my local electrical outlet.They sometimes have them on offer and when they do I snap them up. It's a bit of a swizz really because the Miele is an excellent vacuum cleaner.
I did try some cheap and cheerful ..one size fits all.. type of bag ..but they split and left me with a dreadful mess.

[Kingy]

The answer to the question is , of course, that we are being ripped off!!

It's a real shame because the Miele vacuum is far superior to some other bright and colourful bagless vacuum cleaners that we could mention, that do not do as they claim and have a terrible track record for breaking down.

This might be a little anally retentive, but inspired by Monica in Firends, I replaced the original bag with another new bag and then I actually vacuumed the original bag and it seems to work quite well!

[missing~link]

Kingy, if you are careful like BOO said, you can take out the dirt/dust/gunk from the bag and reuse it. More than once!
We have Miele heppa or something like that and find like you bags are expensive, but if u empty it (takes couple mins, WEAR GLOVES if your squeamish) and save yourself some dosh!

[Lonnie]

We have a Miele, and have to send off for the bags, because of postal delays, we've had to re-use one a couple of times, it can be a messy business, and best done outside, but it can be done.

[whitegoodsma]

try [email protected] goodprices on all makes of bags and those hard to find parts tel spares order line 079034360189

[shaneystar2]

This is very interesting ! How do you manage to get all the gunge out through that small hole? Is it a matter of shaking into the bin or using tongs or what ? Please somebody enlighten me ! My bag, when I take it out of the machine when full is really compacted with dog hair and all the other general dirt .

[Lonnie]

You have to scoop it out, (messy), dust goes everywhere, thats why I said its best outside, we've (me of course), have to do it occasionally.

[shaneystar2]

Thank you Lonnie ..I shall arm myself with a spoon and give it a try with the next full bag ! If you see a post saying "Lonnie please Help" ....you will know why !
I may be back !!

[ianess]

Click here to see what's available on eBay.

[ianess]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUST-BAGS-to-fit-MIELE-S 300-S356-sdb201_W0QQitemZ4442819025QQihZ001QQc ategoryZ20618QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZView Item

[WendyS]

Yes, you are being ripped off if you keep replacing your Miele dust bags. I never believe what the makers tell me about buying new bags. I have two very efficient Miele vacuum cleaners (upstairs and downstairs) and when the cloth-type bags get full, I simply use a pair of narrow kitchen tongs (the type you use to turn sausages under the grill) or my fingers to pull out all the carpet dust. I then empty this onto my compost heap. The birds love this material at nesting time.

The process may take a few minutes but after about four years I'm still using the original cloth bags in my vacuum cleaner.

Result: Happy birds, extra compost, fuller wallet but less profit for the manuacturers of cleaner bags.

If you have to vacuum up some really smelly substances the smell will remain in the cleaner bag until you replace ithe bag. If you're just hoovering up dust and carpet fluff, reuse the original bag.

[Kingy]

Wendy

Inspired posting!!

Just what I presumed.

But just remain cynical for a moment longer - is there anyone out there do you think can find a reason for changing these cloth bags, other than to give more money to the manufacturers?

(By the way, Miele vacuum cleaners are really good otherwise!)

[shaneystar2]

Well...this is great ..I am going to give this a go.I really begrudge the money I spend on the bags and I if I can put it in the composter all the better .Off to vacuum up now and experiment !!

[adamhornsby]

I'm not so convinced, I've tried emptying my Miele bag and dust ends up everywhere, defeats the idea of picking up and filtering dust. Even if you do it outside it still manages to get into the atmosphere. I like the Miele bags as they really do keep the dust in and the air clean.
I'm not sure if there's anyone else here from York, but barnitts do bags that fit Miele for not a lot of money.

[chocktawjohnnie]

I have an answer to that! Show you later.