In the past, vacuum cleaner bags were made of cloth and could be reused by unzipping and emptying them. Today’s disposable thinking has led to disposable paper vacuum bags.I’ve figured out a simple way to reuse these paper bags. The bottom end of the bag is usually folded over a few times and glued shut. To reuse a bag, I carefully unroll the end, trying not to tear the bag. I then refold it and hold it closed with two or three spring clips. When the bag is full, I remove it carefully from the vacuum, remove the clips, empty the bag, reassemble and install. I’ve gotten years of weekly house cleaning use from just one bag.Duct tape can be used on small holes in the bag, or to reinforce the area where the clips go. Just don’t duct tape the whole bag, as it needs to “breathe.” You're out of new bags and the one in the vacuum is full—or—you’ve got kids, pets you vacuum often and name brand bags can become expensive, which leaves you with a question: Is there a way to reuse vacuum bags?

The short answer is yes. But it can be a messy job. One thing to consider is ditching the name brand bags and buying generic ones. These are usually available at vacuum stores and some big box stores. This might save you a respectable amount of money. Nonetheless, whether you want to save by reusing, or are forced to, you’ll find that all is not lost. First wear some rubber gloves (surgical gloves work great). dyson vacuum cleaner parts ukAlso find a paper filter mask and some safety goggles. compare bissell and hoover vacuum cleanersDo this outside, preferably near a garbage can.ebay vacuum cleaner belts Lay out some newspapers and remove the bag. Try to remove the larger clumps of dirt that will likely accumulate at the opening of the bag.

The finer dirt and dust particles will have sunk to the bottom of the bag. You won’t need to worry about that, if you plan on a quick, emergency reuse of the bag. You can probably get away with the procedure 3 or 4 times before the bag starts to lose integrity. Remember, you won’t be working with a completely empty bag, so you’ll have to repeat this process again in short order. Eventually, you’ll have to toss the bag out. For a more thorough cleaning of the bag try the following method. Get a strip of duct tape and tape it vertically along the back side of the bag (the opposite side of where the bag opening is) that covers about 2/3 of the bag's length. Cut a slit through the tape and through the bag, taking care not to cut all the way through to the other side of the bag. Leave about an inch or so at either end of the tape uncut. Empty out the bag. Cut another strip of duct tape long enough to cover the slit. Add another inch and fold over the end of the tape onto itself about ½ inch from the end.

This will provide for a handy little non-sticking end that will make it easier to pull off. Affix this new strip of tape over the slit. Replace the bag in the vacuum. Next time you have to empty the bag, merely peel off the top strip (using the end that has that neat little handle) and empty out the contents. Again, you’ll only be able to reuse the bag a few times, but since you’ll be basically working with a completely empty bag, so the vacuum life of the bag should be about as long as a new one. Central Vacuum Installation Pt. 2: WiringShare a SolutionAsk a Question0 If you have a vacuum that uses dust collection bags, you know that they can be expensive to replace. This is a guide about saving money on vacuum bags.All ArticlesSolutionsArchivesNewestOldestMost HelpfulLeast HelpfulMost CommentsFewest CommentsRelevanceTip: FlagBy Tanja V.A pack of 3 vacuum cleaner bags costs $10.00 & tax. That's over $3.50 for one bag! I never buy the original bags anymore. Instead, I buy any bags that are roughly the same size at yard sales and Thrift Stores.

Salvation Army has baskets full of those bags in all sizes, for 25 cents a bag!Before I discard a full bag, I remove the cardboard piece that fits my model of vacuum. I remove the cardboard piece of the Thrift store bags, heat up my glue gun, and glue the original piece from the used bag in place. I have reused the same pieces about 30 times each. This is saving me more than $150 a year! If the bags were not exactly the same size as the originals, it has not made any difference. The important piece is the cardboard fitting. This is way more hygienic than opening a full bag, cleaning it out and resealing it, as some people do. Just remove that cardboard piece shortly before you throw the full bag in the dumpster. No mess, no dust. My picture shows 3 of those thrift bags. Left: with their original piece, middle: original piece removed, and right: with my vacuum`s specific piece glued in place. It takes only seconds to make, after the glue gun is heated up.Source: I came up with that myself, tried it out and it worked perfectly.

Doing this since 8 years now. Comment By karenlynn Flag0This is like the most intriguing idea ever. Reply Tip: FlagBy deeI have an expensive vacuum cleaner that takes expensive bags. To save on buying new bags for my vacuum, I simply cut the bottom off the bag, empty it, and duct tape the bottom shut. I have a recycled vacuum cleaner bag. By Dee from Salem, VA Comment By KS Granny Flag0A vacuum cleaner picks up dirty air from the floor and forces it into the reservoir, where the heavier particles (dirt and hair) drop out. The air, still dusty, is then forced through filters - either the sides of the bag, or a HEPA filter, or whatever. Reply Tip: FlagBy coville1230When your vacuum bag is full, cut open the end of the bag to dump. Then staple it back together and use it again. Comment Tip: FlagBy PNoll2Re-use vacuum cleaner bags to save money! Instead of throwing the bag away when it gets full, follow these simple steps: Comment Tip: FlagBy Janace Lynn M.1Vacuum cleaner bags can get expensive and I found a great tip.

When the bag is full, unfold and cut the top or bottom of the bag out, empty in another trash bin. Using a stapler fold and staple the bag back together and replace just like a new one. Comment Tip: FlagBy Amy0I have an expensive vacuum that has cloth-like HEPA filter bags that I must purchase. In order to get more use out of them, I cut open the top of the bag and dumping the waste, then stitch it shut on my sewing machine. Comment Archive: Flag0 Most disposable vacuum bags can be emptied and reused more than once. - Sarah Answers:Thrifty Tips for the Week of 2/21/2002To Sara, thanks for the vacuum cleaner tip: I thought I was the only one who cleaned and dusted them off for another use. Also, I have to laugh at your clothes-out-of-dryer tip because when I was working and my husband retired, he would do the laundry and fold everything! in neat little square packets: my dresses, skirts, towels; everything and when I would get home from work, the folds would be "SET" and I would have soooooo much ironing to do.