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Razur t1_itpj820 wrote

I desperately need a new vaccum and was considering a Henry. What was the refurbishing process like?

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J3ttf OP t1_itplia1 wrote

Very easy as I’m familiar with them and they’re easy to work on. I remove all plastic parts and put them in the dishwasher then polish them. As for the electrics I just checked over the brushes and bearings and give everything a good clean! I bought a new filter and a genuine tool kit for it as well to give it new performance

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RS_Skywalker t1_itq6two wrote

Are their bags loaded with proprietary gizmos/gaskets/connectors? Dealing with that decades ago turned me off of bagged vacuums.

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J3ttf OP t1_itq79m3 wrote

No, they just push on

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RS_Skywalker t1_itq7w01 wrote

That's nice. What's the quality of the filter like? Are they cleanable and reusable or do you have to buy new ones?

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J3ttf OP t1_itq8587 wrote

It’s fairly thick and in conjunction with the HEPA bags it doesn’t really get dirty. They also do a proper HEPA model for allergy sufferers

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J3ttf OP t1_itq88p8 wrote

Oh and to clean them you can remove the black plastic piece and chuck it in the wash on a low heat setting, they don’t recommend it but I’ve never had any issues.

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kaptoo t1_iudvac1 wrote

I have a Henry that works but gives off a bad smell. I was ready to throw it out but you’ve given me hope. Could I dm you for advice on the refurbishing process?

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J3ttf OP t1_iue2kue wrote

Sure, but I can give you some advice now! Buy a new filter (about £10 off Amazon, less on eBay) and get some vacuum fresheners. My favourite brand are discs and come in a really ‘80s box, I’ll try and find a link :)

EDIT: Vacuum fresheners

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Superdudeo t1_ittxw78 wrote

If they’re indestructible then you wouldn’t need to refurbish surely?

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J3ttf OP t1_itu04sa wrote

I’m selling them on eBay, it’d be pretty awful of me to sell a dirty vacuum

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aeuoncdryx t1_itq1b7i wrote

I’ve had a couple of dysons, but bought a cheap James to use at a house I was renovating. (James is essentially the same as the Henry apart from the winding mechanism for the cord, colour and think the top is a bit bigger). I am SOLD. It’s lovely to use, powerful, easy to clean. Tiny bit annoying carrying it up and down stairs with the hose and attachments but I’d 100% recommend. I’m going to hand my current dyson on to my mum and keep the James.

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AntDogFan t1_itu8dbq wrote

I have a charles and find the attachments pretty annoying. Is there some kind of way to attach them to the machine I have missed?

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aeuoncdryx t1_ituyyvn wrote

Not sure… on the James there’s a bit at the back with circle shapes in black plastic. You can clip the long silver tube there and one other attachment. I mostly just leave the ones I rarely use kicking about under the stairs.

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thon t1_itqyjew wrote

I've repaired a few at work, you can get all the spares you need for them. although I have has to bin a couple, think vacuuming plaster/cement with no bag, all the hose was solid, filter shot, motor caked up, just not worth the time/cost compared to a new one. I do prefer the vacuums with large filter cartridges, think shopvac or equivalent, but this comes from a rubble/dust DIY perspective.

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