Bagged vs Bagless
...and the myths about going bagless
We have always been truly shocked by the number of consumers purchasing bagless vacuums. It is obvious that the TV infomercials play a large part in the bagless success. The truth {this has been documented many times} is that all vacuums pick up Dirt, Dust Mites, Bed Bugs, Fecal Matter, Germs, Filth, Bacteria, Micro-Organisms, Pollen, Urine, Vomit, Etc.. Though it is fascinating to watch this concoction of waste spinning around in the somewhat clear bagless container, but at some point it must be emptied! Try this procedure inside your house and watch as the cloud goes poof and spreads it’s contents throughout the room.
Vacuum Bags are Hygienic and Improve Filtration, Suction and Cleaning Performance - Filter bags are essential components of high-performance vacuum cleaners because they hold virtually all the dirt captured by the machines, which improves the effectiveness and useful life of vacuum microfilters. This is true because only a tiny fraction of particles escape from bags, but any such particles are then easily trapped by highly effective microfilters.
Bags also ensure continuously strong suction because dirt enters from the top, deposits at the bottom, accumulates upward, and air exits through the sides, which allows unimpeded airflow as they fill to capacity. Also, most bags are large capacity, so they hold about 10 times the debris volume, as compared to the debris capacity of dirt containers found on typical bagless vacuums.
Lastly, changing bags takes just a few seconds, is easy to do, and a most offer a "sealing cap" to cover the opening, which keeps dust sealed inside to maintain excellent hygienic conditions. And for users with allergies or asthma, it is important to have vacuums, like SEBO, Miele or Riccar, that feature superb filtration systems with quality filter-bag technology.
Bagless Vacuums are Not Hygienic and Diminish Filtration, Suction and Cleaning Performance - Without bags to hold nearly all the captured dirt, the microfilters on bagless vacuums quickly clog from excessive dirt build-up and must be replaced often or a loss of suction and cleaning effectiveness will occur. And bagless vacuum microfilters are expensive, usually costing more than a multi-year supply of filter bags. And perhaps the most annoying problem is that dust and other allergens become airborne when emptying bagless vacuum dirt containers.
Why are Bagless Vacuums So Popular? Bagless vacuums outsell bagged vacuums in today's USA marketplace. This should not happen, if one considers the substantial advantages bagged vacuums offer, as compared to bagless machines. But there is a reasonable explanation for this situation. Simply put, bagless vacuums are popular for two reasons: 1) the perception that money is saved by not buying vacuum bags, and 2) it is easier to empty a bagless dirt container than to replace a full vacuum bag. Slick manufacturer advertising campaigns further support these notions. In reality, however, these perceived advantages are more than offset by the high cost and inconvenience of frequent microfilter changes, diminished filtration and suction performance, the shortened life of vacuum motors caused by clogged microfilters, and the hassle of emptying perpetually full dirt containers.