Bagless vacuum cleaners: a problem for allergy sufferers? - Advice

cathrin · 21-10-2009, 19:51

I need a new vacuum cleaner and ideally prefer the upright type. But they all seem to be bagless these days. I've never liked the idea, because I don't fancy the idea of emptying out all that dust and dirt! As a very allergic person, I'm sure it would set me off sneezing like mad. Or is there a special knack of emptying them so you don't get covered in dust?

Also, they're so flipping expensive now! I couldn't believe it when I read the Which recommendations...most of the Best Buys are about 200 quid!

Eee, I remember when you could buy a vacuum cleaner for sixpence, and still have change for cod and chips and an Arctic Roll. Or something.

Errodiel · 21-10-2009, 20:03

I've never found emptying our Dyson too much of a problem; you can hold the thing at arm's length, press the button and empty it straight into the bin or a plastic bag. I'm not a particularly allergy-prone person, though dust does make me sneeze!

As to price, I know - they're ridiculous these days. Best on both fronts might be something like a Henry (does he have an upright cousin?). They're relatively cheap and they clean well.

TUTV Viewer · 21-10-2009, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathrin

I need a new vacuum cleaner and ideally prefer the upright type. But they all seem to be bagless these days. I've never liked the idea, because I don't fancy the idea of emptying out all that dust and dirt! As a very allergic person, I'm sure it would set me off sneezing like mad. Or is there a special knack of emptying them so you don't get covered in dust?

Also, they're so flipping expensive now! I couldn't believe it when I read the Which recommendations...most of the Best Buys are about 200 quid!

Eee, I remember when you could buy a vacuum cleaner for sixpence, and still have change for cod and chips and an Arctic Roll. Or something.

I bought an absolutely brilliant cleaner with an air-powered turbo-brush. Full hepa filter... But when I empty it, dust billows everywhere and blows back out of the wheely bin - thankfully it's no more than an odd sneeze for me.

I think next time I'll go back to basics and buy a "Henry" - you can choose to use a bag or not.

cathrin · 21-10-2009, 20:19

Thanks for those replies. Yes, it's the thought of the billowing dust that really puts me off! It's bad enough just changing the bag; I dread to think what it must be like with a bagless one. Also, I don't like the idea of being able to see all the dirt in the container! Yuk!

jimmy7bellies · 21-10-2009, 20:32

Hold your nose/breath whilst emptying it, then run out of the room and breath in.

DEmmerson · 21-10-2009, 20:38

Miele (non upright).

Best on the market, esp with Hepa Filters.

And with bags.

norbitonite · 21-10-2009, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEmmerson

Miele (non upright).

Best on the market, esp with Hepa Filters.

And with bags.

I second that. And the bags have a sliding section that closes them off so that no dust escapes as you change them.

cathrin · 21-10-2009, 22:13

Ah, I like the sound of that sliding shutoff thing!

Guess I'll have to save up for a Miele then. I know they're pricey, but I guess you get what you pay for!

Thanks again for the replies.

norbitonite · 21-10-2009, 22:20

Mieles last for years (I've had mine for 10 and still perfect) so they work out as good value.

vickyclare · 21-10-2009, 22:34

I'm also a very allergic person when it comes to these things and up until recently I've always had a bagless vacuum cleaner.

And yes, each time I had to empty it, no matter how hard I tried not to breathe it all in or get any of the dust on my hands, it always happened, and I always ended up scratching myself crazy, coming out in welts, tears streaming down my face and sneezing like there was no tomorrow. Even when I emptied it outside!!

Also with bagless ones I find a lot of the dirt gets stuck in the little gaps inside the container and the filter and I end up having to take it apart and really give it a good beating to get everything out.

Having said all that it's cheaper than buying bags and I'm used to my crazy allergies that it doesn't bother me so much any more. In other words it wouldn't put me off buying one in the future. The only reason I no longer have a bagless is because I rent and I just moved house and this house came with a Henry. He's so cute. lol.

FearFactor · 22-10-2009, 10:14

I can easily empty my Dyson without the billowing dust problem - just shove the end of the (ahem) dirt-box in a carrier bag and gather the bag up so it's sealed round, and then pull the trigger to empty the dirt out. Gently shake the dust sown in the bag and after about 5-10 seconds ease the dirt box

back out.

Sounds like a rigmarole but takes literally 20 seconds and no dust-face

andallthatjazz · 22-10-2009, 10:53

I bought this last month from Best Direct shopping channel -

http://www.bestdirect.tv/cid/DPQZYNL...ic-Vac-SCV.htm

..and can say it's the best vacuum cleaner I've used so far & my first upright vacuum too. Actually took me ages to decide to buy one after seeing the advert but glad I did.

The cyclone is so powerful that all dust, bits & bobs cling on the dirt cup that you just wash it off, let it dry & put back in again.

A great buy and not expensive either.

21-10-2009, 19:51	#1
cathrin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,828	Bagless vacuum cleaners: a problem for allergy sufferers? I need a new vacuum cleaner and ideally prefer the upright type. But they all seem to be bagless these days. I've never liked the idea, because I don't fancy the idea of emptying out all that dust and dirt! As a very allergic person, I'm sure it would set me off sneezing like mad. Or is there a special knack of emptying them so you don't get covered in dust? Also, they're so flipping expensive now! I couldn't believe it when I read the Which recommendations...most of the Best Buys are about 200 quid! Eee, I remember when you could buy a vacuum cleaner for sixpence, and still have change for cod and chips and an Arctic Roll. Or something.

21-10-2009, 20:03	#2
Errodiel Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Services: Xbox: skankyfish. PSN: MrsFresh Twitter: @skankyfish Posts: 3,724 Blog Entries: 14	I've never found emptying our Dyson too much of a problem; you can hold the thing at arm's length, press the button and empty it straight into the bin or a plastic bag. I'm not a particularly allergy-prone person, though dust does make me sneeze! As to price, I know - they're ridiculous these days. Best on both fronts might be something like a Henry (does he have an upright cousin?). They're relatively cheap and they clean well.

21-10-2009, 20:19	#4
cathrin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,828	Thanks for those replies. Yes, it's the thought of the billowing dust that really puts me off! It's bad enough just changing the bag; I dread to think what it must be like with a bagless one. Also, I don't like the idea of being able to see all the dirt in the container! Yuk!

21-10-2009, 20:32	#5
jimmy7bellies Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,176	Hold your nose/breath whilst emptying it, then run out of the room and breath in.

21-10-2009, 20:38	#6
DEmmerson Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Home Counties Services: Virgin V+, Broadband & Freeview Posts: 1,114	Miele (non upright). Best on the market, esp with Hepa Filters. And with bags.

21-10-2009, 22:13	#8
cathrin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,828	Ah, I like the sound of that sliding shutoff thing! Guess I'll have to save up for a Miele then. I know they're pricey, but I guess you get what you pay for! Thanks again for the replies.

21-10-2009, 22:20	#9
norbitonite Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,881	Mieles last for years (I've had mine for 10 and still perfect) so they work out as good value.

21-10-2009, 22:34	#10
vickyclare Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 506	I'm also a very allergic person when it comes to these things and up until recently I've always had a bagless vacuum cleaner. And yes, each time I had to empty it, no matter how hard I tried not to breathe it all in or get any of the dust on my hands, it always happened, and I always ended up scratching myself crazy, coming out in welts, tears streaming down my face and sneezing like there was no tomorrow. Even when I emptied it outside!! Also with bagless ones I find a lot of the dirt gets stuck in the little gaps inside the container and the filter and I end up having to take it apart and really give it a good beating to get everything out. Having said all that it's cheaper than buying bags and I'm used to my crazy allergies that it doesn't bother me so much any more. In other words it wouldn't put me off buying one in the future. The only reason I no longer have a bagless is because I rent and I just moved house and this house came with a Henry. He's so cute. lol.

22-10-2009, 10:14	#11
FearFactor Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 569	I can easily empty my Dyson without the billowing dust problem - just shove the end of the (ahem) dirt-box in a carrier bag and gather the bag up so it's sealed round, and then pull the trigger to empty the dirt out. Gently shake the dust sown in the bag and after about 5-10 seconds ease the dirt box back out. Sounds like a rigmarole but takes literally 20 seconds and no dust-face

22-10-2009, 10:53	#12
andallthatjazz Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,222	I bought this last month from Best Direct shopping channel - http://www.bestdirect.tv/cid/DPQZYNL...ic-Vac-SCV.htm ..and can say it's the best vacuum cleaner I've used so far & my first upright vacuum too. Actually took me ages to decide to buy one after seeing the advert but glad I did. The cyclone is so powerful that all dust, bits & bobs cling on the dirt cup that you just wash it off, let it dry & put back in again. A great buy and not expensive either.