Cleaning dust collector bags

[RDH79]

I dumped the saw dust from my dust collector today and was wondering how everyone cleans the bags. I just turn them inside out and shake them. But I can stand there for ever and there seems to always be dust coming out of them. Has anyone ever washed them? I guess you could put the airhose to them. Just wondering. Thanks
Rich H

 

[GaryMadore]

Shop Vac on the blow side.

Cheers!

Gary

 

[LEAP]

One thing to remember when cleaning them is that by having them slightly plugged it increases the efficiency of the filters. Another way of saying that is the size of the particles that can pass through them is decreased. Vacuum and shake the bags but don't try to get them super clean.

 

[Russianwolf]

I have a separator that catches the big stuff, the smalls goes into the bag and when I think its time I'll replace it with a cartridge filter with a canister on bottom and a "thumper".

Seriously, be careful cleaning them as that's the stuff you REALLY don't want to be breathing.