Anyone into carpet sweepers?

Hey all,

On my most recent visit to my family home, where I grew up, I snagged a couple of Bissell carpet sweepers that were left to decay in the basement. I’m not sure why I wanted them. I just have strong sentimental attachment to things. And, I hate to see anything abandoned and neglected.
One is a small, mostly plastic, “Whisk-it” in a cool, vintage gold color.
The other is a newer, probably 1980s “Century II”. That one is metal, and has a height adjustment. I vaguely remember my mom getting that one new. The gold one, I don’t really remember.
In addition to being neglected, and just plain filthy, something apparently got spilled on the top of the newer one, and it has caused the paint to bubble. So, I know when I clean that area, the paint is going to come off.
It also has what could possibly be referred to as “bagless vacuum syndrome”. You can’t find the brushrolls on either one, due to all the hair and string loaded into them. And, the dirt compartment of the Century II looks like it hasn’t been emptied since it was new.
I don’t know what I’ll do with them. But, I wanted to “rescue” them, and see how well I could clean them up.
Here’s a picture, pretty much “as found”. All I did was vacuum off the loose dirt and spider webs.
I don’t know why I get myself into these messes!

Edit:
Sorry if this is in the wrong category. I tried to post it to “Household” but it ended up here.

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Post# 469927 3/2/2024 at 14:01 by JustJunque (Western MA)
Checkrate/Likes Hey all, On my most recent visit to my family home, where I grew up, I snagged a couple of Bissell carpet sweepers that were left to decay in the basement. I’m not sure why I wanted them. I just have strong sentimental attachment to things. And, I hate to see anything abandoned and neglected. One is a small, mostly plastic, “Whisk-it” in a cool, vintage gold color. The other is a newer, probably 1980s “Century II”. That one is metal, and has a height adjustment. I vaguely remember my mom getting that one new. The gold one, I don’t really remember. In addition to being neglected, and just plain filthy, something apparently got spilled on the top of the newer one, and it has caused the paint to bubble. So, I know when I clean that area, the paint is going to come off. It also has what could possibly be referred to as “bagless vacuum syndrome”. You can’t find the brushrolls on either one, due to all the hair and string loaded into them. And, the dirt compartment of the Century II looks like it hasn’t been emptied since it was new. I don’t know what I’ll do with them. But, I wanted to “rescue” them, and see how well I could clean them up. Here’s a picture, pretty much “as found”. All I did was vacuum off the loose dirt and spider webs. I don’t know why I get myself into these messes! Edit: Sorry if this is in the wrong category. I tried to post it to “Household” but it ended up here. View Full Size

Post# 469929 , Reply# 1 3/2/2024 at 15:40 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I had a couple I played with as a kid, thrift store finds. One of them was that Whisk It. The other was a Daisy. I have a bunch of carpet sweepers now I will pick up if the price is right (less than $15) but I won't go out of my way to get one. They are pretty easy to repair, but gets a bit more tricky once you get into the antique ones, they are very intricate.

Post# 469934 , Reply# 2 3/2/2024 at 23:35 by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes 1 These sweepers are still available as new.The vac shop here sells them.Restaurants have to use them.Vacuums can't be used.Also movie theaters used the sweepers.They were good for cleanups in between showings.

Post# 469952 , Reply# 3 3/3/2024 at 16:21 by JustJunque (Western MA)
Checkrate/Likes Husky (or anyone else), Do you have any idea how old the Whisk-it is? I thought the color and the style of the lettering made it look very 1970s. But, aside from how much crud is built up in the brushroll, it appears to be in really good condition. Unlike the bigger one, which I'm 99% sure is from the 1980s.

Post# 469954 , Reply# 4 3/3/2024 at 17:49 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes 1 1977 on the Whisk-It, originally retailed for $13.95. 1978 on the Century II, originally retailed for $39.95. It's possible your family bought the Whisk-It and then realized it didn't work that great and them splurged on the more expensive model to see if it would do a better job. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 469979 , Reply# 5 3/5/2024 at 11:48 by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *I have several of the HOOVER ones* for obvious reasons. I DO have a very old, wooden Bissle one....simply for the age of it. They started them all.

Post# 469980 , Reply# 6 3/5/2024 at 11:49 by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *That, and an old wire* carpet beater will be the only non-Hoover items in my 'gallery'.

Post# 469992 , Reply# 7 3/5/2024 at 20:09 by JustJunque (Western MA)
Checkrate/Likes I saw an old, wooden Bissell at one of the thrift stores, probably a few months ago. I forget what the model name was, but it's a common one. I must have been feeling a little down on myself that day or something, or I was trying to be responsible and not buy everything I see. Plus, I think they wanted like $20 for it, and I talked myself out of it because it wasn't a vacuum. In hindsight, I probably should have gotten it.

Post# 469996 , Reply# 8 3/6/2024 at 00:00 by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I don't blame you,* While assisting my sister in unloading a rental van at the recycling center,(dumps), I saw a little pink toy carpet sweeper that looked new to me. Had two rollers! So in the interest of recycling and saving the planet I brought it home. Works great,other than being small by comparison,I think it sweeps as good as a full sized sweeper! I tend to be a little messy while eating popcorn so this little guy is great for cleaning up after late night viewing of tv I don't have to worry about waking the neighbors,it's almost silent!

Post# 470007 , Reply# 9 3/6/2024 at 20:05 by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I Have a 1920's kenmore carpet sweeper. I have to wire wheel the bottom side. I would then have to paint it. The brackets I'm going to make myself. I'm going to buy a fuller brush to replace the worn our original. I do like carpet sweepers. I have a 1970-1980s biasell small sweeper. I used to do carpets in our class with a sweeper.

Post# 470029 , Reply# 10 3/7/2024 at 20:32 by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 My grandmother had a Bissell that looked very similar to the one on the left in that first picture, except hers was a light gray or greige color with gray handle, and said either “Bissell 3000” or 2000, don’t recall. She used to use it to clean up threads from seeing, but whenever I’d visit I’d push it all over the house, and she gave it to me to take home. I don’t know what happened to it or if it’s still around, but I’m pretty sure it went in a yard sale. I would guess it was from the early 90s or late 80s. I did see one of those antique Bissell wooden sweepers at a yard sale a few years ago along with antique toys.