Sears Cleanmore Home Cleaning System -filter ideas?

[fan-of-fans]

Last weekend I found the aforementioned machine at an estate sale. I was happy to see it because I've always wanted one since I saw them in catalogs.

I liked the idea that it can be used as a steam cleaner or a wet/dry vac.

Or at least I thought it could. This one came with only the hoses, wands and carpet cleaning tool. I was so happy about finding it I didn't think of the fact there was no filter inside.

Downloaded the manual and apparently this takes a round filter that of course is NLA. Now I know later versions of this could be used with paper bags instead of a filter. But mine has no bag holder since it predates the bagged models. I suspect the previous owner never used this for anything than carpet cleaning so never bought the filter or dry vacuuming attachments or anything extra than the basic machine.

So my question is how do I convert to dry pickup without the filter?

I thought I had a great idea. This uses a somewhat odd hose size of 2-1/4". So I ordered a 2-1/2" to 2-1/4" hose adapter. I figured that since 2-1/2" is what most Shop Vac hose openings are then their bags are probably that size opening. And the rubber on the bag should be able to seal to the adapter and the adapter could serve as the bag mount.

But today I looked at bags both at Lowes and HD and I get the feeling the bag openings are not that big. I couldn't find anything giving the size of the opening. I should have measured the bag mount in my Shop Vac even though I never use it with bags.

So any ideas? I did see Shop Vac sells a cloth bag with elastic closure that fits over the motor cage maybe that could fit this in place of the big NLA filter. But I already spent $8 on a hose adapter that may not work... didn't want to make a similar mistake.

In the third photo you can see that water deflector that covers the hose opening. I think that would get in the way of a bag but I can remove it via two screws you see on either side on the outside of hose opening. Would make conversion from wet to dry cleaning more tedious though.

You can also see the motor. You think a cloth filter would fit over it instead. I even have cloth disc filters for my Shop Vac that might work.

Thanks for any help.

 

[thomasortega]

It looks more like a carpet/uphostery cleaner than a steam cleaner.

I left a Karcher steam vac in Brazil, that thing was great. Luckily I brought another steam cleaner (also Karcher)

I couldn'1t find anything similar here in the US, except that McCullock that is expensive and doesn't have even 1/5 of the power the Karcher has or those silly "jug type" cleaners by Bissell and some other xing ling brands. and the steam mops that are also super weak.

 

[vacerator]

measure the diameter

of the motor float ball cage, and height. I bet a Shop Vac, Genie, Ryobi (I think they made it) or other wet filter will fit.
I once had a Kenmore power spray with a power brush. It worked very well. Two speed hot water extractor pump even.

 

[yogitunes]

WOW...this brings back memories....wish they still made these....they are so versatile and handy for so many uses....

when I first got mine, I was cleaning everything in sight...especially the car interior....right down to unclogging a sink

it was a machine ahead of its time....

paper type canister filters are OK....but once they clog, you either can blow them out with some compressed air, or bang them against the floor...never really getting them completely cleaned out....next choice is to replace....

I now use microfiber towels, wrapping the motor, and securing with electrical tape, and then a foam sleeve over top.....both which are washable...

hang a car tree freshener inside, preference of vanillaroma, for a great scent...

keep an eye out for a users manual, to see what other attachments were available....

even attachments from my VAX fit, and seemed to do a better job of extraction....

good luck with your new find...

 

[fan-of-fans]

It is an upholstery/carpet cleaner. I guess they called it steam cleaner because you were supposed to fill it with hot water to create steam when the water was applied to the carpet. I do remember hearing one of the earlier ones had a water heater to heat the water as mentioned above.

Thanks for the ideas. I will see if one of my cloth filters will work.

I downloaded a couple of manuals from various models of these. There were quite a few attachments offered at different times. The most common being the carpet shampooer tool I have and an upholstery shampooer tool. Then there was an optional Spraymate motorized tool that applies the solution and scrubs into the carpet then sucks it up.

Most common seems to be a squeegee floor nozzle for wet pickup and a floor brush for dry pickup. The parts lists shows a set of regular canister vacuuming attachments available as well.

Later there was a power nozzle for dry carpet vacuuming, on the models that used paper bags. Earlier models also had an optional large diameter hose and attachments for bulk pickup of saw dust, etc.

I've seen the Spraymates and power nozzles on eBay. I'd like to get one or the other eventually, the ones on there now are more than I want to pay, I've seen them for cheap in the past when I was wanting to get the machine itself. I'd like to have everything offered for one but space is an issue.

 

[thomasortega]

Well explained..

So it basically looks like the Bissel model I wanted so bad and procrastinated enough until it was discontinued (So sad)

I loved the water filter feature. Perfect if you have pets.
Kinda tricky to clean it after use (wash all the parts) but that's ok.

Ibaisiac has a similar one in UK and his videos made me fall in love with that product.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Are you sure that Bissell is discontinued? I see a lot of them still for sale online and I keep seeing ads for them too now that I've done a search for them a few days ago.

Bissell used to make a similar machine to mine called a Big Green. Some models were only for carpet/upholstery cleaning, but there was a model that could also be a vacuum.

 

[stanleyroark]

Bissell Carpet Cleaner

I just bought Bissell Big Green professional carpet cleaner last month!!! Our daughter went to college and we decided to clean up her room. Some stains and matted areas have not been cleaned beforehand. This green large shampoo is designed to be durable. Although it seems bigger, it seems to be narrower and easier to store in our lobby closet. I was amazed at how much dirt and water it sucked.

https://www.cuou.net/bissell-carpet-cleaner-shampooer-reviews.html