Cleaning the DC bag?

[Woodchipper]

I have a Grizzly dust collector. No problem to empty the plastic bag but asking the best way to clean the cloth bag. OK last year as we washed it and hung it up outside to dry. Weather isn't favorable for it this time. Suggestions are most welcome.

 

[jttheclockman]

I have a Grizzly dust collector. No problem to empty the plastic bag but asking the best way to clean the cloth bag. OK last year as we washed it and hung it up outside to dry. Weather isn't favorable for it this time. Suggestions are most welcome.

I am old school and the word was never wash a dust bag. Not sure what material the bag is but there are different ways to wash for different fabrics. The reasoning behind no wash was that fine particles of dust help block those same particles from escaping into the air. If the bag gets too crusty then turn bag inside out and run a shop vac over it. I would never wash a dust bag in the family washer. If you hand wash and you do not get the bag entirely clean then you now caked the dust to block even more. I never washed mine I shake it out and create a huge smoke cloud. Be sure to wear a dust mask. LOL. I have changed my dust bag once and have been using for over 35 years. What I like to do is when the collector is running I will tap the sides to break any large dust build up. Others may have different thoughts. What does Grizzly say. Never wash in hot water. Never use chemicals. Again every fabric is different. I would consult Grizzly. Also is this a good quality bag or is this a throw away.

 

[Woodchipper]

Thanks. I would venture that it is a permanent bag but will check the manual. We rinsed it outside with water, no soap, making sure that all the dust, etc., was gone. Hung it on the bird feeder hook to dry. Wife wouldn't tolerate it in the washing machine. Shake it out on a windy day with the wind at your back.

 

[Jim Campbell]

I use the shake it out method also. Of course I toss a little dust in the air if it's not obvious which way the wind is blowing. Ask me how I learned that lesson........The neighbors must laugh at this crazy neighbor making giant dust clouds in the middle of the street. Oh well.....it only need it every few years since I installed the chip collector before the dust collector.

 

[Woodchipper]

We turned it inside out before hosing it down.

 

[RGABEL]

If you budget allows look at the wynn filters https://wynnenv.com/woodworking-filters/

These work so much better than the bag filters and you can use compressed air (or a leaf blower) to clean the filter right into the collection bag. Once a year I take it outside and do a "deep" cleaning of the filter.

I have the permanent enclosed top but wished I did the removable top for better access when cleaning.

 

[bugradx2]

I use the shake it out method also. Of course I toss a little dust in the air if it's not obvious which way the wind is blowing. Ask me how I learned that lesson........The neighbors must laugh at this crazy neighbor making giant dust clouds in the middle of the street. Oh well.....it only need it every few years since I installed the chip collector before the dust collector.

when I used to use a shop vac I would clean my filter on the lawn. Fortunately my neighbors knew it was sawdust and not excess pharmaceuticals

 

[d_bondi]

If you budget allows look at the wynn filters https://wynnenv.com/woodworking-filters/

These work so much better than the bag filters and you can use compressed air (or a leaf blower) to clean the filter right into the collection bag. Once a year I take it outside and do a "deep" cleaning of the filter.

I have the permanent enclosed top but wished I did the removable top for better access when cleaning.

+1 on the Wynn Environmental filter.

This is a real filter that will actually provide protection for your lungs. The bag filters only get the (relatively) large dust particles. The stuff that they let through is the truly dangerous stuff. If you use a bag type filter, please use a half face respirator with an N95/P95 or N100/P100 filter.

 

[Woodchipper]

d_bondi, I have to wear a dust mask. The respirator throws my glasses out of focus and I wind up with dizziness. Have N95 dust masks with valve.