To Bag Or Not To Bag:

Ever since the notion of a vacuum cleaner was first thought up in the late 1800’s, inventors were challenged with coming up with a way of capturing the debris that was collected by the bulky, ineffective machines. The first methods of containing this debris included blowing it around instead of sucking it up, using water as a filtering solution and even using cloth pillowcases. This pillowcase method proved to be the revelation that inspired the creation of the first vacuum bags.

Twenty years of trial and error with various dirt capturing methods finally led to the realization of the disposable vacuum bag in 1920. These disposable vacuum bags were first made of paper and were mounted within a larger cloth bag, which reduced the amount of dirt that was reintroduced into the machine and environment.

Many of the common vacuum cleaners on the market today still utilize a disposable vacuum bag. The majority of manufacturers are also offering bag-less models that use a clear plastic canister for capturing the dirt. This bag-less design has gained popularity because many feel that it is convenient. These vacuums don’t require constant bag replacement, and they allow the user to see when the canister needs to be emptied. One of the downfalls of this design is the cloud of dust that is often produced when the canister is removed and emptied. This can lead to a new mess to clean and can also cause to health issues, especially for asthmatics and those with allergies.

The modern vacuum cleaner bag design has progressed greatly since the original paper version from the 1920’s. Vacuum bags are now usually made from a spun cotton material, and are much more efficient at containing very small dirt particles. Disposable vacuum bags are available in many different types including genuine, generic, high filtration and allergen. Most vacuum bags are also universal; so one bag will fit almost any vacuum cleaner. This makes them easy to replace and relatively cheap. The choice between a bag and bag-less vacuum really comes down to personal preference and need. Regardless of current trends, the good old vacuum cleaner bag is still an important and useful component of the machines that clean our homes today.