Customer Reviews

Miele Vacuum Cleaner Bags Type FJM AirClean

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I've already reviewed the Miele vacuum cleaner itself, along with the Turbo brush, so I'm a fan of the pricy-but-worth-it-if-you-can-afford-it sucker. If you're reading this, you're probably one too, so I'm not gonna talk about the vacuum cleaner on a net page selling the bags. I'm just going to relate information on the box about what Miele vacuums this goes with, on the theory that's the main question you have. It's not entertaining, but perhaps it's useful:

S241 - S256 i
S290 - S291
S300 i - S399
S500 - S578
S700 - S758
S4000 - S4999

The box comes with 5 bags (they;re strong, I've discovered), 1 dust compartment filter, and one "super air clean filter." Miele uses a HEPA filter, known for its allegy protection. Long-lasting, worth it.

Okay, so it's hard to get excited about things like HEPA filters - or the vacuum cleaners and other devices they are used in. When my wife concluded her extensive search for a replacement to our old canister vacuum and anointed Miele the winner, I was slightly less enthusiastic than she. It's a vacuum cleaner. It's just a tool for keeping things trim.

After a very short while I began to understand her admiration for the design and build quality of this particular tool. The HEPA filters and bags used are no less a part of this than is the vacuum itself. If you tire of vacuums that are constantly gritty with the dust they stir-up but don't quite capture, get a Miele. If you distain the smell emanating from your vacuum's exhaust, get a Miele. If you long for a simple, easy to use and maintain system that even your husband will use, get a Miele.

Use genuine Miele bags, and change your HEPA filter as recommended. The difference in cost is minor, but you will be amazed at the difference in results.

I have been a Miele user for about 5 years. I used this new generation bag for the first time, and must say that they did a disservice to the consumer by redesigning it. This is a case of something working better on paper than in actual practice. They put a little spring loaded flapper in the bag opening, which is supposed to close up after the unit is shut off to keep the bag contents from coming out. Only problem- once the bag begins to fill, the accumulated hair, etc prevents the flapper from closing. The old bags had a sliding plastic contraption that you slid up to close the opening when removing the bag for disposal. This does not exist in the redesign, so you must handle the bag carefully on the way to the trash or the contents will spill out.

The description of these bags was misleading - they are NOT manufactured by Miele. About two days after submitting and receiving a confirmation on my order I received a rather strange call from an Indian gentleman in Maryland telling me that they were not Miele bags, but were actually 'knock-offs' that work just as well. He asked me if I would still like the bags shipped to me. I went ahead with the shipment - the bags are definitely a poorer quality - but seem to be working fine. The boxes were not wrapped/packaged professionally - instead the box containing the bags was wrapped in packing tape and was partially torn open.

These new bags are a disaster! I have had my Miele vacuum cleaner for 5 years - and LOVE it! I never had any problem with the old bags. Problems with the new bags are: 1) Inside the new bags there are small plastic strips that run parallel to each other. These strips are supposed to "sway" in the suction and push the dirt/debris to the edges of the bag. They don't work - the dirt/debris stays piled in the middle of the bag. The new bags only get 1/3 full and then . . . 2) The new bags have a flap that opens (and closes). When the dirt gets piled in the middle of the bag - the flap is probably held open allowing the dirt/lint to escape. Twice I have opened my bag compartment to find it filled with dirt and lint. I had to 1) pay $50.00 to have my motor cleaned out (full of lint/dirt) and 2) another $50.00+ for a new HEPA filter. My vacuum cleaner repair store said they have had a lot of complaints from Miele customers. Offered 2 solutions: 1) Some people are cutting through the plastic strips in the bag to keep them from working (or not working) and 2) There is a generic bag made for the vacuum by EnviroCare Technologies. I opted for the generic bag - because it DOES NOT have a flap - which I believe to be a part of the problem. Email Miele - maybe they will bring back the OLD bags.

I absolutely love Miele vacuum cleaners, I've owned two over the last six years (recently moved countries, had to re-buy due to different voltage). I found out how amazing they were when I borrowed my neighbors, back in 1992, the suction was so amazing it lifted the wall-to-wall carpeting off of the floor...that was it, I had to own one! Awhile ago I purchased a box of the FJM HyClean bags, I have used a couple of these bags problem free --- today I opened the canister to retrieve an object accidently vacuumed up and found the canister filled with dust and dirt, the bag clearly having come dislodged from the hose at some point. What a mess. The red plastic fitting was bent, that never happened with the old model bags. I am sharing this with you because the very same thing happened to my girlfriend with her brand new Miele and it's HyClean bag. These bags suck! I reported my observation to Miele's Problem Solving Customer Support here in the US and they have generously offered to send a box of AirClean bags to replace the HyClean. They have also asked for a follow-up on the performance of the AirClean bags, claiming the fitting is different and I shouldn't have any problems. I think that's fair to good customer service. I hope Miele resolves this design challenge, the machine and bags are pricey, and for this investment I expect terrific performance.

You don't have a lot of choice on which brand or type of bag to buy when you own a Miele vacuum cleaner. This bag is like the Cadillac of vacuum bags, nothing at all like your typical paper bag for other vacuum cleaners. It's so soft and strong. In a pinch, I have emptied out the bag and reused it many times before it ripped.

If you have a Miele then you're probably familiar with these bags, but if you're considering a Miele, then let me just tell you that these bags are very nice! Unlike many vacs that use skimpy paper bags with easy-to-tear cardboard reinforcements, these bags are almost clothlike (using some type of woven plastic material which is very durable, but very flexible) and include a foil filter inside for protection, as well as a handy attachment system.

In fact, when the bag fills and you pull it off your Miele, the opening in the bag automatically is covered to prevent dirt and dust from escaping. An ingenious and nice touch!

Also nice about these bags is that they include the two filters that your Miele requires. My old vacuum used to use 15.00 filters. I'm ecstatic that I can buy a box of bags that includes the two filters for less than what I paid for the filter alone!!

I love my miele vacuum more than anything but it is a pain to run to the specialty store to buy the bags. On Amazon the price is right and I can just order them and have them shipped to my door....what else is there to say?!

This product is an EnviroCare Technologies product -- not Miele. The mechanism that attaches it to the vacuum is made of sturdy cardboard, not like the Miele which is made of plastic. But it does hold the bag securely in place and the bag works well. I haven't had any problems with its performance.