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Thread Number: 28630
/ Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Cleaning out a Bissell Powerforce Helix |
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| Post# 319394 3/26/2015 at 18:32 (3,312 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
The Bissell Powerforce Helix at my local food bank was NASTY! So today, I decided to give it a good cleaning. First, I washed out some parts. These parts included the inner pleated filter, the outer circular filter, the pre-motor filter, the dirt container, the cyclone separator and the filter cup. As I was washing the parts, my sink water was BLACK. This shows just how filthy this vacuum was.
In addition, I wiped down the outside of the vacuum, as well as inside the upper tank, to make it look like new again. The base of the machine was coated in dust! Also, the hose had dust and debris trapped inside of it. I removed the hose and shook it over a trash can to knock out that debris. So when I come back to volunteer after spring break, this vacuum should have TONS of suction! Do you wash the parts on your bagless vacuums on a regular basis? And does anybody wipe down their machines regularly? How about removing debris trapped inside hoses? This was probably the filthiest vacuum I've ever worked on. | ||
| Post# 319404 , Reply# 2 3/26/2015 at 20:19 (3,312 days old) by Dustin (Jackson, MI) | ||
They really aren't bad vacuums when working properly, lightweight, good suction, not too loud, and cheap enough to replace if it croaks. I've had several versions and have only had one that was completely a lost cause and was dumpstered. I don't even know how someone could be that hard on a vacuum to break as many parts as that one had broken- even the handle was snapped in two.
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| Post# 319606 , Reply# 3 3/29/2015 at 00:46 (3,310 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Daknx1994, I take apart my Bissell deep cleaner and wash out the tanks, nozzle, brush rolls and end caps after EVERY SINGLE USE. This might sound like overkill, but the reason I go through all this is because I want the machine to last. If I use the portable spot cleaner portion of the machine, I suck up hot water from a sink to clean out the inside of the hose. I've used this machine a lot over the past 3 years, and it still works wonderfully.
Dustin, you are right. The Bissell Powerforce Helix is surprisingly durable for a $50 vacuum. Just remember to wash the filters often, and it will continue to work well for years to come. | ||
| Post# 319715 , Reply# 4 3/30/2015 at 13:22 (3,308 days old) by fantomfan (Rochester, New York) | ||
This is why I can't use a Bissell Powerforce Bagless.
They DO clean well and DO have good suction but, everything has to be cleaned after every use. That is simply too much work for me. Not to mention, it's a poorly designed system to begin with that exhausts lots of dust left and right. The Bissell Heavy Duty is multi-cyclonic and is a much better, abeit heavier machine.
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| Post# 319721 , Reply# 5 3/30/2015 at 15:44 (3,308 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Yeah
I would not want to use a Bissell Powerforce, or ANY vacuum from Walmart in my house for that very reason. If you have allergies or asthma, this is DEFINITELY not the machine for you.
Have you tried the bagged Bissell Powerforce? I've never used one, but it should be a lot more sanitary than the bagless version. In the end, you get what you pay for. | ||
| Post# 319724 , Reply# 6 3/30/2015 at 16:03 (3,308 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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I've never tried the Bagged Version.
But, I did have a bagged Bissell Powerglide a couple of years ago that I sold off. That was basically a Powerforce bagged with a wider brushroll. For a Bissell that was a VERY nice vacuum. The brushroll on that was very aggressive. My family used to have a Powerforce Bagless from 2007, and I just finished cleaning a Cleanview Helix for my mom's boss. They are VERY dirty to work on.
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| Post# 320081 , Reply# 7 4/2/2015 at 12:53 (3,305 days old) by Dustin (Jackson, MI) | ||
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I've just got another one in yesterday to be refurbished and sold. Motor and brushroll are fine, but I don't think the filters were ever cleaned. NASTY! It wouldn't pick up anything when I tried it, but it should be fine once I put it back together later today. All the parts (except the motor and switch obviously!) Were washed in hot water and lysol, and after I put a new belt on, it shouldn't be any problem to sell it for $25.
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| Post# 320110 , Reply# 8 4/2/2015 at 14:58 (3,305 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Correct
This explains why I can't stand single-cyclonic bagless vacuums. I can only stand A) cyclonic vacuums with two or more cyclones or B) bagged vacuums. When these Powerforce Bagless filters get completely caked with dust, the vacuum will have NO SUCTION!
Thankfully, Bissell now makes vacuums with cyclonic technology, such as the Bissell CleanView with OnePass series. | ||
Post# 320152 , Reply# 9 4/2/2015 at 19:27 (3,305 days old) by daknx1994  (Southern Indiana) |
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You know, I did a service on a Bissell Powerforce today, not the Cleanview Helix, just the plain Jane one. Everything turned out fine and I went to test it, the motor was not as loud as I thought, it kind of just hummed, and it cleaned pretty well. I guess for the money these are not that bad. | ||
| Post# 320466 , Reply# 10 4/5/2015 at 09:24 (3,302 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY) | ||
Single cyclone 
Yes, my Shark Rotator has a single cyclone. I did not know this when I bought it. The filters do get dirty quickly. I asked someone why Shark would go from multi-cylonic to single, and they said because of reliability - that the multi-cyclonic vacuums are less reliable, and that the cyclones have to be cleaned too......Luckily I have a Rainbow, and every few days I use my Rainbow to clean my Shark filters and bin out and haven't had to wash the filters yet since I suck the dust off of the filters rather than wash them and it hasn't lost any suction....I haven't had a clogged hose on a vacuum ever in my life, so that's never been an issue for me.
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| Post# 320476 , Reply# 11 4/5/2015 at 11:29 (3,302 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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I don't think a single cyclone would be more reliable at
That is just my opinion. Single cyclonic Sharks pass FAR more dust onto the filters than say, a Multi Cyclonic Dyson. Most don't clean the filters so it goes straight into the motor. Eventually, the motor would overheat or the motor would simply be ruined by fine dust. I saw that with a single cyclonic Bissell once. Even when the filters are clean, a small amount of dust would still penetrate through. And simply put, a Shark isn't the most reliable vac to start anyway.
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| Post# 320484 , Reply# 12 4/5/2015 at 14:27 (3,302 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Mark40511, it's a good thing you have another vacuum to clean the filters on one vacuum. That is VACUUM INCEPTION!
You think multi-cyclonic vacuums aren't as reliable? Well, it depends on the brand. On the original Shark Navigator, the 21-cyclone chamber will have to be emptied after every 5 uses. However, on a Dyson, when you empty the bin on one of those, the inner cyclones are automatically emptied. FantomFan, you reckon Shark vacuums aren't the most reliable? Well, I'll put it this way. Shark vacuums are among the highest rated vacuum cleaners, according to online customer reviews. The vast majority of customers give Shark vacuums 4- or 5-star ratings. In addition. Shark ranks highest in customer satisfaction with upright and canister vacuums, according to J.D. Power and Associates. So loving a Shark vacuum would be easy. | ||
| Post# 320486 , Reply# 13 4/5/2015 at 15:00 (3,302 days old) by citroenbx (england) | ||
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| Post# 320490 , Reply# 14 4/5/2015 at 15:54 (3,302 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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No | ||
| Post# 320496 , Reply# 15 4/5/2015 at 17:35 (3,302 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
 That's what happens when you clean out any bagless vacuum, Your hands get dirty! Cleaning filters and washing out the insides is a dirty nasty job.
Now with my bagged vacuum, I just pop off the old bag and drop it in the trash. I'm DONE! I pop in a new bag and I'm all set to go. It takes all of 30 seconds. And best of all, my hands stay nice and clean. | ||
| Post# 320510 , Reply# 16 4/5/2015 at 19:45 (3,302 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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There are many reasons why they love their Sharks.
One said on this site: "they love it UNTIL they have a problem." Most people don't do follow ups on their reviews either. The vac can't possibly last more than a couple years with daily, hard use. Also, don't forget that there isn't a parts base for Sharks. Of course, the manufacturer expects you to just go out and get a new one.
That's why they are called "disposable." I don't trust any of these big review sites. They do not do important tests like durability, motor life and parts availability/access. | ||
| Post# 320519 , Reply# 17 4/5/2015 at 23:43 (3,302 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Sptyks, you are absolutely right. Bagged vacuums are MUCH more sanitary than bagless. However, the disadvantage is having to pay for additional bags.
FantomFan, there have even been news reports about the reliability of online reviews. Researchers have found out ways to tell how trustworthy a review can be. | ||
| Post# 320544 , Reply# 19 4/6/2015 at 07:55 (3,301 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK) | ||
I used to wash the dust cup out every month or so as they get flighty and look manky as soon as you turn them on, and the dirt flying around the canister scratches the plastic on the inside anyway. Couple to the fact that with the quick release flaps on new bagless vacuums, the dirt not only flies out and goes everywhere, the dirt accumulates on the rubber seals and on the outside of the canister due to static.
I honestly think bagless vacuum designs went backward with these quick release bins. The older design pre-dyson dc04 where you had an actual bin to tip out meant you didn't get as much of a dust cloud and also no rubber seals where dirt could leak out from. With my Dyson, it is pretty easy to wash the clear bin itself, but washing the cyclone assembly isn't recommended, although i do it anyway and leave it to dry in an airing cupboard for a couple of days, you still cant take it apart and clean it properly. With my felix on the other hand, it is like with most bagged vacuums these days, just seal off the intake and dump it, replace it with a new one. Every now and then, run a cloth on the inside of the bag housing and that's it. | ||
| Post# 320548 , Reply# 20 4/6/2015 at 08:31 (3,301 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY) | ||
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No - I'm not saying
that single cyclone is more reliable than multi. I simply ASKED someone on here why Shark would take a stop backwards and go from milti-cyclonic to single? That was the answer they gave me - that they went back to single cyclone because they are more reliable. Whether or not that's true, I do not know...My house is CLEAN. When I vacuum, I mostly have cat hair and a little normal dirt dust in the bin, and even then, the filters get dirty. I can only imagine what the filters must look like in a dirty house...I vacuum the foam and flat filter about once every 4 days of use. I don't think much of anything is getting past those filters into the hepa filter itself, probably because I'm OCD about keeping them clean...
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| Post# 320572 , Reply# 21 4/6/2015 at 11:50 (3,301 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Tolivac, yes, the Euro-Pro company does have misleading advertising. I forgot to mention that Shark was "America's Most Recommended Vacuum." Well, according to online reviews, they say. In addition, Shark also claims to have superior performance compared to Dyson vacuums. Shark and Dyson are fierce competitors!
Oliveoiltinfoil, from time to time, I would rinse out the clear bin of my Dyson DC07. Yes, most clear bins will get perma-dirty after just a few uses, and washing one out will NOT make it clear again. I have never washed the cyclone assembly, as per Dyson's recommendation. On some newer bagless machines with bottom-empty bin designs, the dirt doesn't fall out right away, due to a design flaw in the shape of the bin. Dust will accumulate on the outside of the bin MUCH faster. Mark40511, I, too, can only imagine what Shark filters would look like in my house. I have 2 dogs and a cat, and I typically get some pet hair and normal household debris. Generally, Shark recommends washing the foam and felt filters every 3 months. In other words, that's once every season. | ||
| Post# 320580 , Reply# 22 4/6/2015 at 13:01 (3,301 days old) by dys0nb0y (Luton) | ||
from my experience i think shark is pretty reliable you do need to clean the filter quite a bit quite a but i quite enjoy it i'd like a vacuum with a bit of maintenance,i would pick a shark over a dyson dc65 and with the last generation of rotator you can buy a lot parts for on the website,and don't forget they have got a good guarantee 5 or 7 years guarantee a even a lifetime guarantee.
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| Post# 320582 , Reply# 23 4/6/2015 at 13:09 (3,301 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
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mark40511
I'm sorry if I upset you but that statement was towards the person who told you that remark about single vs. multi cyclonic. I didn't direct that towards you. That's ok though. I make that mistake as well too. My church uses a Shark Rotator and it's FILTHY everytime I go past it. I almost said something because you almost couldn't tell the pre motor filter was a FILTER. Oh well, I hope they'll learn that it was NEVER intended to be used like that. When It breaks down, I'll INSIST that they ought to invest in something better for their needs. They have a Diamond G Kirby as well. My neighbor has a Shark Rocket that really does clean WELL, but the filter is always dirty when I see that. I'm sure they would last longer if you kept up on the maintenance.
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| Post# 320583 , Reply# 24 4/6/2015 at 13:11 (3,301 days old) by marcusprit () | ||
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You'd pick a Shark over a Dyson? :-0 | ||
| Post# 320585 , Reply# 25 4/6/2015 at 13:24 (3,301 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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OK...
Everybody has their opinions. My grandmother owns a Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe. She's had it for about 2 years now. The filter is dirty every time I look at the machine. A family support center where I volunteer at has a Shark Rocket Professional, and it does a GREAT job, but the filter is always dirty when I go to empty the dust cup. When will anybody learn that you shouldn't use household vacuums in commercial settings!? It seems to be a trend around here in Washington state.
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| Post# 320586 , Reply# 26 4/6/2015 at 13:25 (3,301 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
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I still don't understand what is so cost prohibitive about buying bags.
I buy a pack of 6 cloth HEPA bags for $18. I order them online and they are delivered right to my door. That comes to about $3 each. The bags are quite large and last me about 6 months each. So is $6 a year too much to spend for all the conveniences of using bags let alone the greatly increased sanitary conditions? | ||
| Post# 320617 , Reply# 27 4/6/2015 at 14:14 (3,301 days old) by marcusprit () | ||
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Yes that's a reasonable price. But over time the pores in the bag will clog and the thought of having dirt and bacteria growing in a bag for 6 months makes me feel ill. Yucky I'd rather dump it weekly and be done with it. | ||
| Post# 320621 , Reply# 28 4/6/2015 at 14:32 (3,301 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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That's reasonable | ||
| Post# 320629 , Reply# 29 4/6/2015 at 15:37 (3,301 days old) by parwaz786 ( ) | ||
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Oliver The DC41 Cyclone can be taken apart :) I can tell you how to do that if you like, or there is a guide on the Manchesetervacs forum | ||
| Post# 320638 , Reply# 30 4/6/2015 at 16:35 (3,301 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK) | ||
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| Post# 320665 , Reply# 31 4/6/2015 at 20:08 (3,301 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
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Marcus, The pores clogging up may have been true with the old paper bags, but the new Kirby HEPA bags do not clog up. I used my Baird meter to measure airflow of my Sentria with a new empty bag. It measured an 8.5 through the hose. A few months later when the dirt reached the full line on the bag, I checked it again and it measured an 8.0, so no significant loss of suction with the HEPA bags.
And what about all the dirt and bacteria you come into direct contact with when you wash those nasty filters? All the dirt and bacteria stay inside the cloth bag so I do not come into contact with any dirt and bacteria when I change a bag.
Niclonic, If you buy your bags online, then you will always have the link to the URL where you bought them last. Also, you will not have to make a special trip to the vac shop to get bags as with a couple of clicks they will be delivered directly to your home. It just doesn't get any easier than that. | ||
| Post# 320669 , Reply# 32 4/6/2015 at 20:36 (3,301 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Sptyks | ||
| Post# 320671 , Reply# 33 4/6/2015 at 20:53 (3,301 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
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| Post# 320673 , Reply# 34 4/6/2015 at 21:10 (3,301 days old) by HVRVACLVR (Altoona PA) | ||
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| Post# 320689 , Reply# 35 4/7/2015 at 00:39 (3,301 days old) by marcusprit () | ||
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There is no filters to wash in the Cinetic. | ||
| Post# 320691 , Reply# 36 4/7/2015 at 01:10 (3,301 days old) by marcusprit () | ||
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This is how well the Shark cyclone works CLICK HERE TO GO TO marcusprit's LINK | ||
| Post# 320730 , Reply# 38 4/7/2015 at 13:20 (3,300 days old) by marcusprit () | ||
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Totally agree Derek :) | ||
| Post# 321049 , Reply# 39 4/9/2015 at 05:32 (3,298 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY) | ||
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The Shark warranty is RIDICULOUS!
I actually called Shark and the lady was VERY NICE - but Good Lord, the warranty is pathetic! I asked her what exactly happens if something goes wrong with my vac. I said to her that someone told me if something goes wrong I have to not only pay to have it shipped to Shark, but also to pay to have it shipped back to me. She said, "that's correct." But she did say that if it's a part that's not on the MAIN vacuum, like the dust cup, then they ship you a new one free if something happens to that....But if it's the slightest thing on the vacuum itself that goes wrong, even the clip that allows the dust cup to lock to the vacuum, if that breaks, (since it's on the vacuum itself) either you pay to ship it to them, they fix it, and you pay to ship it back, or you take the second option, which is buy a brand new vacuum at a heavily discounted rate (like 90 dollars) and they ship the new vacuum to you and you trash the old one! She said most people take the second option. How CRAZY is that????!!!
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| Post# 321051 , Reply# 40 4/9/2015 at 05:45 (3,298 days old) by marcusprit () | ||
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Haha yeah that sounds about right :-) | ||
| Post# 321058 , Reply# 41 4/9/2015 at 07:37 (3,298 days old) by HVRVACLVR (Altoona PA) | ||
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| Post# 321079 , Reply# 42 4/9/2015 at 09:40 (3,298 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
My neighbors Shark, which I am constantly cleaning up, small wall to wall berber, 2 people, no pets, 600 sq ft? She cleans almost daily, but it gets clogged! Her mom's cannister of somekind quit when she was using it and she took her out to get a Shark like hers! I was like why? Cause I like it, no bags, it's light its easy. SO who is cleaning out hers then? And why did you throw away anything??? Hello I am right here. Some people.
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| Post# 321131 , Reply# 43 4/9/2015 at 14:58 (3,298 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA) | ||
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Update
Today I went back to the food bank, and the Bissell was still there! However, I couldn't find the parts anywhere. I looked all over the food bank, but the parts were nowhere to be found. I ended up using the old Eureka ESP. Then after vacuuming, I went into the bathroom, and THERE they were! So I put the Bissell back together, but didn't get to use it. Hopefully next week I'll get to use it.
Below is an updated picture of it, and you can see how much better it looks.
View Full Size
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| Post# 321149 , Reply# 44 4/9/2015 at 15:26 (3,298 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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