Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but there is no substitute for the real thing. Justin Binks of Sebo explains how using inferior quality vacuum cleaner bags is truly a false economy.

Vacuum cleaner bags should always be purchased from the manufacturer of the machine being used or from its dealer network for a number of reasons. The key point to bear in mind is that manufacturers design their own bags to fit their own machines. There is a very good reason for this - non-genuine bags can compromise the performance, longevity and reliability of a machine. The knock on effect of this is that it can nullify the manufacturer’s guarantee and in the worst case scenario, can cause machines to overheat thereby damaging motors and, potentially, cause fires. Non-genuine bags are bought for cost reasons but, in reality, they may actually cost more than originals.

If cheaper vacuum cleaner bags are purchased which are not compatible with the machine, then you take a risk. It may not be easy to spot the difference but non-genuine bags do not provide the quality of the real component. Many non-genuine bags will not fill to the top which negates the assumed savings made on the initial outlay. Sebo bags, for example, have a three-layer construction where the inner layers are made of specially treated non-stick paper. Fake bags will only have one or two layers and will not have the filtration performance or clog resistance of genuine bags.

Our high filtration design enables longer life for filters, preventing fine dust and other contaminants from entering the machine and causing unseen damage to bearings and other components. An integrated sealing lid makes our bags more hygienic to handle and, most importantly, they are the correct size for the machine, whereas many fake bags are too small.

It is a false economy to purchase non-genuine bags as, in the very likely event of the machine’s performance being compromised, the long term costs in terms of repair and replacement far outweigh the benefits of a short-term fix at what appears to be less cost. Always go with a reputable name - good reputation has been earned and manufacturers will not risk losing their good name by supplying inferior accessories.  

For more information visit: www.sebo.co.uk