Dyson Animal and Kirby Ultimate G – dirt collection

I am continuing with my series of Dyson Animal Reviews and this time I am going to explain the differences in how the Dyson Animal and the Kirby Ultimate G pick up and store the dirt.

The main obvious difference is that the Dyson is a bag-less system and the Kirby uses regular vacuum bags.

Here is some information about the Dyson dirt collection system:

• It has a lifetime washable HEPA filter
• It is hygienic and quick and easy to empty
• It is certified asthma friendly. Unlike ordinary vacuums, Dyson is certified asthma & allergy friendly™ according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
  

I put together a video showing you the difference between the two vacuums. It gets cut off at the end for some reason. Don’t worry, you don’t miss much.

I honestly have no dirt or dust fly up at me when I empty the Dyson. When I take that bag off the Kirby, the dust flies everywhere – make sure your mouth is closed! I am forever convinced that the bag-less system that Dyson has created is hygienic and does not put dust into the air like a traditional bagged system. When you add the savings because you don’t have to buy bags, it is a win-win. Over a period of 5 years (the length of the Dyson “bumper-to-bumper” warranty) traditional bagged vacuums will cost you hundreds of dollars in replacement bags and belts (the Dyson is belt-less). Considering what you would spend on bags during this time, you would easily make up for half the cost of the purchase price of the Dyson in those 5 years just from not having to buy bags.

You will want to clean the filter inside the canister every 3 months to make sure it functions 100%. Removing the filter is simple, then you run it under tap water until it runs clear and then let it dry for 24 hours. There is a also a filter inside the ball itself that requires cleaning in a similar manner. Cleaning the clear bin itself pretty much entails a slightly damp cloth to wipe and residual dirt away. You should not use detergents, should not submerge the cyclones in water nor should you put any of it in the dishwasher.

Overall, I am very much a fan and bag-less convert because of the Dyson Animal. While you do have some extra cleaning every few months with the Dyson, it saves you a lot of money compared to a bagged system. Another aspect of the bag-less system to take note of (although for me I don’t mind the trade-off) is that depending upon how dirty your floors are, you may have to empty the canister a few times in a single vacuuming. With a bag you obviously do not have this issue (if you do, you need a SHOP VAC not a standard vacuum) but it does leave me to wonder what might be GROWING in the bag of your vacuum if you only have to change it every month or so. ICK!