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Vintage Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner Anyone know anything about these or use one?
talesofawannabe Advanced Beginner VA USA Member since 6/25/10 Posts: 235	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/18/12 11:06 PM First, let me start off with a bit of a backstory. I have a modern, plastic Dirt Devil vacuum that works about as well as one of those non motorized sweepers. I really want a Dyson vacuum, but at their price point I can't afford one. I don't really love to vacuum, but I don't like walking on a too dirty floor either, lol. So, today at the thrift store I saw a vintage, probably from the 1960's, teal Electrolux canister vacuum with all of it's parts and attachments. It was priced at $35, so I passed, but I just keep thinking about that silly vacuum cleaner. It looked as if it has rarely been used, but I can't be positive it works. However, this is a local thrift shop that will allow you to make reasonable offers on the items. I am thinking of going back on Thursday to see if it is still there. So, my question is, does anyone use a vintage vacuum cleaner? If it works, is $35 a fair price? If it doesn't work would it be worth it to have it fixed? My grandma has always had a vintage Rainbow (sp?) vacuum for my entire life that could suck the carpet off the floor. When it breaks she fixes it and it works so much better than most modern vacuum cleaners. I have checked and the bags for the vintage canister vacs are still available online for a reasonable price. So, anyone still vacuuming their floor with an Electrolux canister vac? By the way, it may be possible that I am drooling over a vacuum simply because it is teal, lol. -- Edited on 12/18/12 11:06 PM -- ------ http://talesofawannabeseamstress.blogspot.com/
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4991	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/18/12 11:49 PM It's the teal. Dyson is not all it's cracked up to me. Get something less expensive and then throw it away when it starts to stink as this is sure to happen if you have a dog in the house!
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7402	Login to reply to this post In reply to talesofawannabe << Like this post Date: 12/19/12 0:46 AM OK, in my farm family, the electrolux cannister vac was the deity incarnate; I mean, that baby sucked like nobody's business. It was quiet, powerful, and dead reliable. On its little sled-like skates, it scooted right behind you like the best vacuum servant you've ever met or dreamed of. $35 is a very fair price if your model is in good shape. The biggest difficulty is in the wand connection. There are a lot of little buttons that have to click in place, and if they're all in good working order, no problem. If they're sticky or corroded, it's a different kettle of fish. However, at $35 (!), I'd consider it worthwhile as a risk.
annsew65 Advanced WV USA Member since 4/9/02 Posts: 802	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/19/12 3:06 AM Don't count out these appliances that are old - but were made to work for years - and if they were well taken care of, can still give years of great service. I have a really old Hoover Dial-Matic I purchased probably back in the late 60's (the first dial-a-matic sold) and we've purchased 2 other Hoovers through the years. One is used in our upstairs and the other is used in our other downstairs rooms. I hung onto this older one for my sewing room. because I really didn't want to be afraid of picking of possible pins, lengths of thread, etc., etc. from my sewing room. That cleaner has gone through 3 sets of attachments (worn out from years of use) and it is still going. I've replaced the brushes on the beater bar only once, replaced the belt on it once - and it still is the "sucking it upist" sweeper in the house! Even better than the newer ones that haven't seen the use/abuse that this older one has. Just make sure as someone else said that connections, etc., are still in good working order and you just might have something that will serve you well for a good while. ------ Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia Sewing Room Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/annsew65/MySewingRoom#
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2272	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/19/12 7:45 AM I inherited my mom's 60's E. canister and it kept on going for years, then we donated it to the church. H. replaced it with a Kenmore--just cause he has a thing for buying new gadgets--which went for more years. Now I have a Dyson, just because he has a thing for new gadgets. Go for it, old appliances were built to last, like Maytags, irons, toasters, SMs. Find a vintage repairman to check it out too. WM used to have the bags. -- Edited on 12/19/12 7:46 AM --
WTG Intermediate Member since 3/18/03 Posts: 28	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/19/12 9:34 AM $35 is a steal, especially with all the attachments and in good condition. Electrolux cannister vacuums were made to last. I have one. They were expensive to buy new but were considered a once in a lifetime purchase. A few issues - the vacuum cleaner you are looking at may need a new flexible hose. Over time, they develop holes, particularly in the woven plastic. You can buy a generic replacement nowadays. Parts are pretty easy to get.
Sewliz   CO USA Member since 6/22/04 Posts: 4115	Login to reply to this post In reply to talesofawannabe << Like this post Date: 12/19/12 11:57 AM I would buy it in a flash. About 15 years ago my dad bought a used Electrolux canister model at a vacuum repair store and it was/is the best vacuum ever, still runs perfectly. I'm not sure how old it really is but it was far from new in the late 1990's when we paid $50 for it. A few years ago I had to buy a new hose since the one the vac store sold with the tank had developed holes and leaks. (Couldn't have been those stray pins I sucked up could it?) A new basic hose at the Electrolux dealer was $65 which I happily paid and it made my vacuum like new again. Hopefully the thrift store will let you plug it in to see how it works. If it really sucks buy it! ------ Liz thefittinglife.blogspot.com
talesofawannabe Advanced Beginner VA USA Member since 6/25/10 Posts: 235	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/19/12 4:05 PM Thanks so much for all the tips! I couldn't make it there today, but I am going to head back tomorrow. If it is still there I think I will call it fate and bring it home with me, lol. ------ http://talesofawannabeseamstress.blogspot.com/
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6999	Login to reply to this post In reply to talesofawannabe << Like this post Date: 12/19/12 4:23 PM Oh my! Do I remember the ads for this vacuum! A person was sitting on a chair, with a salon cape on, and the vacuum was blow drying the hair; long before blow dryers. I grew up with one of these babies. The bags were cloth, and had to be cleaned, but I can tell you, that baby sucked up more than the Kenmore canister we had previously! ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
DoggyGirl Intermediate TX USA Member since 10/15/06 Posts: 1248	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/19/12 6:47 PM Go back and ask to turn that puppy on so you can test it. Those old vacs were meant to last. I've got an old upright hoover that must be 40 years old and it works like a charm. The only thing that I've ever had to replace on it besides the drive band is the cord. Beth

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