Which bags are better for a Karcher vacuum cleaner: types of bags + tips for use
Important components of the design of any vacuum cleaner are not only a powerful electric motor and functional attachments.The filter will play a significant role in the cleaning efficiency and maintenance technology of the unit. The vacuum cleaner absorbs dust that needs to be contained along with the surrounding air. The filter does this job.
Of course, the quality of cleaning directly depends on the design of the filter elements installed in the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, it is important to choose highly efficient and easy-to-use dust collectors. But how to do that?
First you need to understand their diversity and learn the features of different filters. As a general example, consider Karcher vacuum cleaner bags used for filtering and collecting dust. We will try to determine which filter bags are better, and also outline the nuances of using these accessories.
The content of the article:
Karcher vacuum cleaners and filter bags
The German company produces vacuum cleaners of various configurations for household needs. Accordingly, a varied design approach is also used regarding the use of air filtration systems in the devices.
Among the variety of existing engineering solutions, the most common are engineering developments that use bags for filtering and collecting dust.
Such vacuum cleaners manufactured by Karcher, with an emphasis on design execution, include two types of filter bags: disposable and reusable.
No. 1 - disposable filter bags
Filter elements are a typical bag shape, intended for one-time use, usually made on the basis of two-layer paper.
The capacity of the bags can range from 5 to 45 liters, depending on the specific model of the vacuum cleaner. These accessories have a reinforced outer layer and are designed for dust category no lower than “M”.
The production quality of paper filter bags from Karcher is quite high. According to various estimates, the efficiency of retaining small particles with such filter elements reaches 95 – 98%.
However, when using disposable paper bags, the fillability of the filter bag is a critical factor.
If a paper bag is filled with a volume of garbage greater than that established by the standard, the technological vacuum cleaner design principle Karcher.
Overloading the dust collector has unpleasant consequences.Hence the conclusion - the use of disposable paper filter elements requires clear control of the accessory’s fullness during the cleaning process and its timely replacement.
No. 2 - reusable fabric consumables
Reusable filtering accessories are usually made from durable and fairly dense fabrics.
The peculiarity of this type of filter is obvious - the owner of the vacuum cleaner only needs to remove the accessory after finishing cleaning, empty the bag of its contents and shake it out thoroughly.
Meanwhile, a seemingly practical component – a reusable filter – still has operating limitations.
With each new use, the reusable filter bag gradually becomes clogged with microparticles that “eat” into the microscopic pores of the material.
Accordingly, replacement of the accessory is also required in this case after a certain period of operation. Typically, the manufacturer (in this case Karcher) indicates in the user manual the permissible number of uses of a reusable filter bag.
If the application limit specified by the manufacturer is exhausted, you should definitely replace the dust collector with a new one. Otherwise, the load on the vacuum cleaner increases, and during cleaning the user finds himself in an environment saturated with a lot of allergens.
No. 3 - products based on nonwoven materials
Along with paper products, the German company has in recent years mastered the production of bags made of non-woven materials.
This design is almost identical in operating efficiency to paper bags. However, practice has shown slightly improved characteristics of accessories made from non-woven material.
Users of Karcher cleaning equipment equipped with such accessories have noted more convenient waste disposal.
In terms of design parameters, bags made of non-woven fiber provide greater capacity (almost twice) when compared with paper counterparts.
Non-woven material showed better resistance to possible ruptures and damage. The quality of separation of small suspended particles is higher than that of paper products. And what’s also important is that such accessories have to be replaced less often than paper ones.
The newest solutions in the production of bag filters are products based on 3 or 4-layer non-woven material, which does not lose its strength properties even if exposed to moisture.
Original production and analogues
Of course, all household cleaning equipment manufactured by Karcher are designed for use with brand-made dust collectors.
At the same time, a feature of the product should be considered the permissibility of using analogues, and in a fairly wide range.
Also, if we consider exclusively branded filter bags, it is worth paying tribute to the wide-format interchangeability within the framework of branded products.
Such solutions allow owners of Karcher vacuum cleaners to use dust collectors of the same modification for different models of vacuum cleaners.
For example, paper-based dust collectors designed for the T7/1 and T15/1 series of vacuum cleaners are successfully suitable for designs from the T10/1 and T17/1 series.
Compatibility is also noted for SE and WD models with support for the full lineup.
The simple design of dust collectors (in the general engineering sense) equally well allows the use of third-party products as part of Karcher household vacuum cleaners.
So, instead of branded German bags, it is permissible to substitute products that are used in vacuum cleaners from companies:
- Nilfisk-Alto;
- Comac;
- Sprintus;
- Fiorentini;
- Viper.
Wide-format compatibility of component accessories (in particular, filter bags) significantly expands ease of use for users. This approach, in turn, attracts more consumer attention to Karcher household appliances.
Meanwhile, the compatibility of third-party accessories, despite all the convenience for the user, does not eliminate the risk of using products of relatively low quality.
This is a logical point, because any manufacturer tries to make a product taking into account specific technical parameters - for “its” vacuum cleaner.Naturally, a third-party product becomes uncompetitive in such conditions.
Features of using dust collectors
It would seem that the rules for using a dust collector are simple everyday truths, but for some users, as practice shows, the use of filter bags raises questions. For example, are there any principles for preparing a paper accessory before loading it into a vacuum cleaner?
Point #1 - preparing the dust collector before use
Indeed, for some paper products there is a typical moment when, in the process of placing a new copy, it is necessary to push through a layer of paper on the inner area of the plastic neck and carefully straighten the paper strips.
Residues of paper may partially block the neck of the bag, thereby disrupting the smooth flow of air flow, creating additional resistance to air flow, which affects the power consumption of the device.
Point #2 – control of bag filling
Also worth noting among the operating features is the mandatory monitoring of the filling of the dust collector. The recommended level, upon reaching which the bag should be replaced, is no more than ¾ of the volume of the used dust collector.
Some vacuum cleaner owners try to reuse disposable paper filter bags. Such actions are unacceptable, as they contribute to rapid wear of the device. It is also unacceptable to clean liquids, flammable substances, or flammable substances.
Reusable products should be cleaned thoroughly using the dry method unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
Cleaning must be done without the risk of damage to the material, damage to the structure and density. When performing cleaning work, respiratory protection should be used.
Point #3 - using a set of consumables
What else can be noted that is characteristic of such products? As a rule, such a product is offered for sale as a set that includes several products.
For the end consumer, this option is the most preferable, since there is a benefit in price.
And in terms of the frequency of purchasing replacement filters, a set of several copies allows you to forget about this task for quite a long time. Spare bags for a vacuum cleaner do not limit the user in terms of the scope of cleaning.
If you don’t want to constantly change bags, then you can choose a vacuum cleaner with cyclone filter. Such units are in the product line of many manufacturers.
The rating of the best bagless vacuum cleaners is presented in this article.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The operation of household vacuum cleaners equipped with filter bags requires the end user to periodically replace the filter elements.
At the same time, the cost of purchasing accessories is relatively low, but if you don’t replace the bag in a timely manner, you can “kill” the vacuum cleaner, which will be many times more expensive.
The video below discusses the process of replacing a used filter bag that has become unusable with a new one:
From an operational point of view, the design of vacuum cleaners that use a filter bag as dust collectors is considered somewhat unsuccessful. The efficiency of the machine is highly dependent on the level of filling of the waste collector. Maintenance is often seen as an inconvenient process.
Vacuum cleaner manufacturers are gradually abandoning this engineering solution, offering cyclone and aqua filters. Perhaps the future of bag filters is not worth considering unless some innovative technology is invented on the same basis.
Do you have anything to add or have questions about choosing and using vacuum cleaner bags? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience of using different filters. The contact form is located in the lower block.
Disposable paper bags are convenient, but it can be quite wasteful to buy them every time. Plus you need to control it so that you don’t overfill them during cleaning. So, I prefer rag bags. You can also use a trick with them - sew a zipper on the back side to make it convenient to empty it. Then it will be much easier to shake out debris from them, and they will last you longer.
The author missed the convenience. Cleaning a cyclone is actually hemorrhoids. I threw out the bag and put in a new one.
How can I buy a reusable one?
Good afternoon. Please consult specialized household appliance stores on this issue.