Antique Straight Suction 1930s Electro Hygiene Upright Vacuum

Congrats on your recent find! Looking forward to seeing the pictures! What model do you have? The first Electro-Hygiene was the model 84, which came out in 1934, and had a direct wired cord with an inline switch that hung on the handle with a hook instead of running through it, similar to a Kirby. It was replaced by the model 94 around 1936 or 37, which had a pigtail off the motor and ran the cord through the handle with the switch in the handle. The 94 was also the only Electro-Hygiene to have an actual hammered finish--not hammertone paint, but an actual hammered finish. Production of the 94 ended with the start of World War 2, when all the factories in the country changed over for war production. After the war ended in 1945, they resumed production and introduced the model 230, which had a different bag and went back to having a smooth finish. The 230 was made until about 1953, being replaced by the 2-230, which had a more streamlined motor housing and the bag color was changed from black to blue.
I have all of them in my collection, and the model 80 was also my first restoration project. Here are pictures of all of them, with the model 80 first (if you look close you can see the inline switch), then the attachment set for the 80 or 94, then a group shot of the 94, 230, and 2-230, and finally the 2-230 with its attachments. The 230 and 2-230 are all original, but the attachment set for the 2-230 is missing the wands, floor brush, and crevice tool. I've pretty much had a life-long connection with Electro-Hygiene, as two of my Uncles sold them before I was born, two of my Aunts and one Great-Aunt had them when I was a kid, and I sold them myself (model 903 upright, 966 tank, and Galaxy Prestige 990) for about 7 months in 1974 and again in 1976.
Jeff

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 463054 5/9/2023 at 12:18 by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hey everyone, I recently acquired a 1930's straight suction Electro Hygiene upright vacuum. It was in horrendous condition until now. It's currently in the process of being completely rebuilt and restored. I recently finished doing a complete restoration, repairing and polishing of the motor unit. It looks soo beautiful. I gave it a terrific polishing, I replaced the armature and handle yoke assembly, and the locking spring for the handle lock assembly. The armature has been replaced with an armature from a slightly newer electro hygiene model, that was going to be used for parts for the one I'm currently halfway done restoring. I promise Pictures will come soon of the progress I'm making. From Liam

Post# 463055 , Reply# 1 5/9/2023 at 14:13 by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Here* Is my model 2-235. 235 and 2-235 are the first straight suction machines. I got a vacuette electric and hygiene from Thomas. Good luck on your vac. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Lesinutah's LINK

Post# 463063 , Reply# 2 5/10/2023 at 03:02 by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Hi Liam,* Congrats on your recent find! Looking forward to seeing the pictures! What model do you have? The first Electro-Hygiene was the model 84, which came out in 1934, and had a direct wired cord with an inline switch that hung on the handle with a hook instead of running through it, similar to a Kirby. It was replaced by the model 94 around 1936 or 37, which had a pigtail off the motor and ran the cord through the handle with the switch in the handle. The 94 was also the only Electro-Hygiene to have an actual hammered finish--not hammertone paint, but an actual hammered finish. Production of the 94 ended with the start of World War 2, when all the factories in the country changed over for war production. After the war ended in 1945, they resumed production and introduced the model 230, which had a different bag and went back to having a smooth finish. The 230 was made until about 1953, being replaced by the 2-230, which had a more streamlined motor housing and the bag color was changed from black to blue. I have all of them in my collection, and the model 80 was also my first restoration project. Here are pictures of all of them, with the model 80 first (if you look close you can see the inline switch), then the attachment set for the 80 or 94, then a group shot of the 94, 230, and 2-230, and finally the 2-230 with its attachments. The 230 and 2-230 are all original, but the attachment set for the 2-230 is missing the wands, floor brush, and crevice tool. I've pretty much had a life-long connection with Electro-Hygiene, as two of my Uncles sold them before I was born, two of my Aunts and one Great-Aunt had them when I was a kid, and I sold them myself (model 903 upright, 966 tank, and Galaxy Prestige 990) for about 7 months in 1974 and again in 1976. Jeff Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size

Post# 463084 , Reply# 3 5/11/2023 at 12:18 by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)
Checkrate/Likes *reply* The label plate on my straight suction Electro Hygiene says Model 2-230, So it's a Model 2-230. I wonder, When was the Model 2-230 manufactured? 1930's or 1940's, don't know for sure. Can someone tell me the exact year or years they were made? From Liam

Post# 463086 , Reply# 4 5/11/2023 at 14:52 by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Jeff* Is the best reference for this. If you are take out the armature on the side it will have the production date stamped.

Post# 463096 , Reply# 5 5/12/2023 at 01:47 by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Liam,* If it's a 2-230 it was made from about 1953 to 1955. The 230 was introduced after WW2 was over in 1945, and was updated and replaced by the 2-230 sometime in 1953. The only notable changes between the 230 and 2-230 were a more streamlined motor housing and the bag color was changed from black to blue. Then in 1955 the 2-230 was replaced by the 285, the first Electro-Hygiene with a revolving brush and headlight. Here is a pic of one of my 285's. Jeff View Full Size