Hey guys, I have a question. How do you clean a Kirby outer cloth bag? Im working on my Tradition, nd I want to kow what settings to put the washer on. What temperture, how big of load, etc.Also, I see one problem: The metal thing that holds the rubber bag-topper thingy on, I dont see any way to get that ou, so do I have to turn it inside-out in order to wash it? Or is it fine?

Thanks!

VW

I presume you've already slid the blue cover up off of the hanger.  The metal hanger itself "tucks" into each side of the pocket at the top of the bag.  If you pull one edge of the bag back towards the center you can slip the end of the hanger out of the pocket then the other side can slip off.

Others might have a different idea, but I would suggest turning the bag inside out and put in a gentle wash cycle with only a little detergent, and then hang the bag to air dry.

Here is a picture with the hanger half-removed from a bag

Thanks! I got it off- Now, how do you remove the bag? It doesnt want to come off for me.

VW

Getting the bag off the the emptor takes a certain amount of determination and a lot of strength!  There is a rubber ring sewn into the bottom of the bag which is stretched around the rim of the emptor.  Slide the blue plastic bumper guard up off the rim of the emptor first.  Then with your fingers (maybe a flat screwdriver or such) stretch the edge of the bag bottom away from the rim of the emptor and pull/twist/roll the bag off the rim.  It's hard but not impossible.  I think getting it back on again is actually harder.

I never wash cloth vacuum cleaner bags in a washing machine and in fact try to avoid washing them at all because doing so causes the pores to close up, especially if the cleaning agent (soap or detergent) is not thoroughly rinsed out. This obviously will impede air flow and thus cleaning efficiency.

The only time I will wash a bag is if it came from a household with smokers or stinky dogs, or when something nasty was vacuumed up. I'd rather have a bag that smells a bit musty than to risk ruining it by washing it.

When I do need to wash a bag, I hand-wash it in cold water with a little Woolite, not too much, to facilitate thorough rinsing and then to rinse several times in cold, clear water, wringing the bag out somewhat but not too tightly.

I never machine-dry them, either. The heat will shrink the fabric, possibly to the extent of causing the bag to get so small that it will longer fit, and again, will definitely cause the pores to close up. Line-drying is the best.

After washing and drying, I give the bag a thorough vacuuming inside and out with my bag cleaner to open up the pores. You really do need to give the bag a good "pounding" to open up the pores. However, since I don't have access to my bag cleaners at the present time, I would have to use an upright with an agitator. Obviously, you would want to be VERY careful and pay close attention, lest one of your fingers or knuckles get mangled by the agitator brush.

And at what temperature do you wash it at? I have a Whirlpool Heavy Duty washer, from the 1990's I think?

VW

Use cold water only, and as resident guru electrolux 137 suggests, a very small amount of Woolite or other gentle detergent.  Choose a gentle/delicate cycle and wash for only 3 or 4 minutes.  An extra rinse isn't a bad idea too.  You want to be sure any residue is removed from the fabric otherwise it might clog the pores and cut down on airflow.  After washing/rinsing, straighten out the bag and hang it to dry. 

Good luck!