From: jfarran@orion.oac.uci.edu (Joseph Farran)
Subject: Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner
Summary: Summary
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house,misc.consumers
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Date: 9 Apr 92 23:41:17 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers.house

 Several people asked me to summarized my findings regarding the Rainbow
 vacuum, so here it is :-)



 After several months of research, here are 7 reasons why I personally
 selected the Rainbow vacuum cleaner over standard bag type vacuums:


 1) Paper filter bags don't work as claimed.

 The new "allergy" paper/cloth bags made to trap up to .1 micron size 
 particles work by having the paper electro-statically charged.  The bags
 work by "attracting" small particles to the bag fibers. 

 There are _NO_ fibers .1 micron apart - that would be impossible given 
 the large amount of air that has to pass through.   So the actual paper
 pores are much larger than .1 microns.   What then happens is that after 
 a short amount of time vacuuming, most of the fiber surface space is taken
 up by the millions of pollen and small particles going through.   Hence,
 filtration of .1 micron is lost.

 There are many vacuums now available which are using this "new" .1 micron
 filtration technology because of the electro-statically charged paper bags.
 Sears, Royal, Milfisk, Miele, Simplicity and many more make this claim.
 There are NO written documentation as to how _long_ this .1 filtration
 efficiency is maintained - I'd bet that it's not long.

 Some one claimed that air, like any thing else, find the least resistance
 passage out of a bag, therefore creating large tunnels on the bags.
 Many small allergens pass right through these tunnels and out the bag
 causing very poor cleaning efficiency.


 2) Paper/cloth filters build up of mold-spores on the surface.

 People don't normally change bags during every vacuum.  This introduces 
 a new problem.  Mold spores and other nasty stuff starts growing on the
 surface of the bags.  These allergens get exhausted out next time one
 vacuums.  Not good!


 3) Good paper/cloth bags cost money.

 The "special" .1 micron paper bags are quite expensive in the long run.
 This varies with each user, but one can look at spending around $90 bucks
 a year for these "special" bags.  Royal 4600 vacuum paper bags, as an 
 example, cost $10.00 for a set of 3 and they are small bags.   After a
 few years, it $adds$ up (costing more than a Rainbow).   If you don't 
 change them often enough, you then loose cleaning efficiency.


 4) Suction is greatly reduced with standard bags.
 
 After about an hour of usage, the vacuuming efficiency of paper/cloth 
 bags are reduced incredibly because the pores are clogged.  One has to
 work much harder at vacuuming as a result.   This is not the case with 
 the Rainbow.
 
 
 5) Changing filter bags emit dust, dust mites, etc. out.

 Although this is not that significant, it does aggravate some allergic
 individuals.  

 I personally _like_ emptying the water in the Rainbow - one can see 
 all the nasty stuff that it picked up.  I like the fact that this stuff
 is not sitting in my closet growing :-)


 6) Independent reviews:

 The 1987 November issue of the "Allergy Relief" magazine, reviewed 
 several vacuum cleaners.  Rainbow was rated as filtering even the
 smallest particles.   Good article for those who want to get a good
 unbiased opinion on vacs.

 The "Saturday Evening Post," October '91, has a good article on dust
 mites and on the Rainbow.


 7) Raibows will last a long time if maintained properly.

 I talk to several repair persons regarding the maintenance of the Rainbow.
 Half said they lasted a _long_ time, and half said that they didn't last 
 ( broke down ) after a few years.   Of those that said that the Rainbow
 didn't last, also agreed that it was because the owners had not properly
 taken care of their machines.  They stored them away *without* emptying
 the water and/or cleaning the separator.

 This goes along with the net replies I received.   Many Rainbow owners have 
 had their machines for a long time.



 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Here are the replies I received:


>>> Rainbow-vacuum:1

From:    Daniel Pruitt <dpruitt@cpqhou.compaq.com>
Subject: Rainbow Vacs
Organization: Compaq Computer Corporation


I got my Rainbow vacuum cleaner from a salesman when I lived in South Carolina.
I don't think you can buy them in a store.  They are only sold through
"Authorized Rainbow Distributors", or something like that.  Anyway, you might
be able to find a distributor in your area.  I would look in the yellow pages
and see if any of the ads mention the Rainbow vacuum cleaner.

I have been extremely happy with my Rainbow.  It performs just as the sales
rep said it would.  I do think it is superior to most vacuums.  
I haven't really shopped around for vac's so I don't know everything that's
available, but I do know that the Rainbow works great.

If you aren't familiar with the process;  the Rainbow sucks the air and dirt
and dust through a water bath and then returns clean air back into the room.
It's really a simple concept actually.  The reason most vac's don't get the
dust is beacuse they have holes in the vacuum bag.  They have to have the holes
because the air has to go somewhere, else the bag would explode.  The Rainbow
doesn't have a vacuum bag in the traditional sense of the word.  The Rainbow
has a small bucket of water at its base.  The vacuum sucks the air through the
water before returning the air to the room.  So the water washes the air before
it leaves the Rainbow's vacuum.  The scented oils and water additives are just
good smelling stuffs that you can add to the water before vacuuming.  When
you start to vacuum the Rainbow sucks the dirty air in and blows the clean, 
scented air out.  When you are through vacuuming you must empty the Rainbow's
water bucket.  You don't want to keep a bucket of dirty water sitting around.

Like I said, I really like my Rainbow.  I have had it for 3 years now, and it
has never given me any problems.  It comes with a lifetime guarentee, too.

My wife and I don't have allergies, at least not particularly to dust.  We
bought it because we needed a vacuum cleaner and we thought the Rainbow was
the best for the money.

If you have any more questions just ask.

Daniel
dpruitt@cpqhou.uucp




>>> Rainbow-vacuum:2

From:    nash@ucselx.sdsu.edu (Ron Nash)
Subject: Re: Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner
Organization: San Diego State University


In article <29B69EA5.10839@orion.oac.uci.edu> you write:

> Any comments or thoughts would be most appreciated.

We have one.  It is about 6 years old.  They work well.  Good suction and
_no_ dust!  The biggest potential problem is if you tip it over you will
kiss the motor goodbye.  It is fairly quite for a vacuum cleaner.  We have
the rug shampooing kit and it does work OK.  About as well as the store
rental units.

You need to dump the water often - about every 20 minutes of vacuuming
as the water simply turns to sludge from all the dirt and dust it pulls
out of the carpet.  We have 4 horses and 4 dogs so our house gets alot
more dirt tracked in than most people.

You can smell the difference after vacuuming.  It really takes the dust
out of the air and carpet.

Ron Nash 	San Diego State University





>>> Rainbow-vacuum:3

From:    MURPH <RRM@icf.hrb.com>
Subject: Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner

> Any comments or thoughts would be most appreciated.


   Rainbow cleaners are a very good machine to use. With the cleaner using
water it will cut down on the dust particles in the air and should help your
wife out with her allergies. It is more expensive then other types but well
worth the cost. You also might be able to pick up a used one at your local
sweeper shop. It is a very good choice in cleaners.



                                                  Murph

>>> Rainbow-vacuum:4

From:    NNELSON@mis.mcw.edu
Subject: Rainbow
X-Organization: Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)

Dear Mr. Farran,

Regarding your question on Rainbow vacuum cleaners:
I was a salesperson for this company for a very short period of time and 
I was convinced of the health benefits of this particular product.  The
mere fact that it takes the dust and dirt out of the air is enough for
anyone with allergies to want one. I am an allergy sufferer myself.  
Conventional vacuum cleaners simply recirculate the dust that it picks up.
Watch the dust blow out of the bag of your vacuum cleaner sometime when
its on.  
However, these products are extremely overpriced!  I could never even afford
one myself.  The distributor I worked for jacked up the prices about 50% more
than another distributor I worked for later. The former distributor went out
of business in his area in less than a year. I got out of it because I could
not see myself toting this product around in my car for any long period of time

The door to door sales of this product is very grueling work (IMHO).  The 
tactics they use may not be entirely appropriate either - calling potential
customers and telling them that they have won prizes, free floor cleanings,etc.
Another option you might consider is having an internal vacuum cleaner system 
installed in your home.  It works on the same principal of getting the dust and
dirt out of your house instead of recirculating it.  There is no water involved
though, I believe.

Another potential problem is service if your Rainbow needs parts or repairs. 
Where do you go if your distributor has left town for one reason or another 
and has left no information for his customers to get continued service?  

It is a good product.  It is quite expensive.



>>> Rainbow-vacuum:5

From:    <LSH4@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner


I've had a Rainbow for ten years.  No one has allergies at our
house so I can't comment on that issue.  It does clean
well--better than the standard Hoover upright.  My husband likes
to use the Hoover, though, because it's easier to get out and put
away.  If we really want to do a good job, we use the Rainbow.
The ability to suck up wet stuff has been useful, and there is
something very satisfying about being able to see and throw away
all the gunk that was in the carpet.

Repairs have been minor.



>>> Rainbow-vacuum:6

To:      jfarran@orion.oac.uci.edu
From:    IADLRC@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU
Subject: Re: Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner


Joseph,
I purchased a Rainbow a few years ago after suffering from allergies for
many years.  I cannot express my pleasure of the power, efficiency, and
quality of the Rainbow.  Although I am NOT affiliated with the dealerships,
I can suggest some ways to deal with them.  They are only sold by in-home
salespeople (similar to Amway), and are pretty high pressure.  (Even though
I KNEW I was going to buy one, they still gave me the high-pressure "hipe")
If you hold out long enough,they will "throw in for free" the power attachments
the carpet cleaner, carpet shampoo, disinfectent, and some fragrance bottles.
I believe that I also received a $50 or $100 bonus "because I purchased it
that night".  Make sure that you don't committ until they are ready to leave,
and have offered you all of the incentives. Since they are paid on commission,
you may also be able to haggle with them.  With all of the bells and whistles
I believe I paid around $900 or $1,000 for it.  - And NO regrets!  Good Luck!



>>> Rainbow-vacuum:7

From:    mj@Solbourne.COM (MJ Nickolls)
Subject: Rainbow vacuum cleaners

I had a Rainbow several years ago and my mother and grandmother each used to
have one.  At the time, I thought it was okay.  The one problem with it was
that it didn't have a beater brush for getting up the deep down dirt in the
carpet.  It wasn't until I had to replace it that I realized just how much 
dirt it *wasn't* getting up.  However, I also noticed a difference in how much
dust was stirred up with my new vacuum compared to the Rainbow.  The Rainbow
really did cut down on the amount of dust kicked up by vacuuming.

Rainbows are expensive and mine only lasted about 5 years.  It got tipped over 
too many times when I vacuumed the stairs and parts of the motor got rusted. It
was cheaper to buy a new machine than to repair it.  But my mom's and my
grandmother's machines lasted for many, many years.  By the time I bought mine,
the design was vastly different so that mine had a much larger base which 
didn't fit steadily on a stairstep; hence, my downfall so to speak :-).  

M-J Nickolls

  



>>> Rainbow-vacuum:8

From:    gurley@spectra.com


I'm sorry to say that I deleted ALL the Rainbow oriented stuff after
digesting it.  I can summarize it real quick, though:

	Everyone that is 'aware' of the "dust bag starts clogging as soon as
you turn on the vacuum" argument is 100% positive about Rainbows.

	The only negative responses were from people who knew nothing about
the technology and were horrified at the price (compared to a whole house
system, which they both had just installed).

	The only negative comments from Rainbow owners was that the need to
fill (then dump) the water, and the instruction to clean the 'separator'
(small squirrel-cage-like device that keeps water from entering pump) after
each use tended to make some people 'do all their cleaning in batch mode'.
Some kept around a 'dust-buster' type portable or something to take care of
small, (often emergency) vacuuming problems.

	Everyone thought the reliability and performance were fine.

My understanding of the MODELs is as follows:

	D2 - more than 10 years old.  Looks like a chrome R2-D2 (star wars).
		Apparently, they can be damaged if they tip over, since the
		motor is 'open' to the water.

	D3 - late '70s, early 80's.  This unit has replaced the chrome with
		plastic (and looks like the remaining models).  It supposedly
		'sealed' the motor to protect it from accidental wetting.  It's
		principle drawback is that if the nozzle gets blocked, and you
		keep running the machine, the motor can overheat (and self
		distruct).

	D4 - mid '80s to '91.  THis unit did 'something' to eliminate the
		overheating problem.  (separate fan intake, or something).

	SE - '91 on.  This is the absolute latest model.  The only difference
		from the D4 appears to be a little flashier decorative top.
		The motor draws the same current as the D4, and I couldn't
		see any physical differences.

	There as been a continuing evolution of the design of the separator.
	It appears, however, that they are all upwards and downwards
	compatible.  It's just a coffee cup sized piece of plastic that's
	mounted on the motor shaft, sticking into the water.  The suction is
	drawn through it, while it spins, throwing the water back out into the
	reservoir.

	There is also a continuing evolution in new nozzles.  The SE comes with
	something to blow up rafts/pool toys and avery 'fine' crevice tool.
	Again, all tools fit all units.

	Oh yes...the SE brought with it a newly designed power head hose.  It
	added a pistol-grip end, with 'integrated' power cord.  The older
	power heads had a 'discrete' cord fastened on the outside of the hoe.
	Of course, the 'flashier' contact paper is also on the new head.  Same
	motor, belts, etc. though.

We're happy with ours.  Good luck.  



>>> Rainbow-vacuum:9

From:    wilson_e@apollo.hp.com (Elizabeth Wilson)
Subject: Re: allergy to dust / Rainbow vacuum cleaner
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Apollo Division - Chelmsford, MA

Hi Joseph,

I'm sorry, I didn't save any of the mail on the Rainbow vacuum cleaner
but I do have some information for you on it, as one of my friends here
at work purchased a brand new one last fall.

First of all, the Rainbow uses a "water-filtration" setup to trap the
dust.  Apparently regular vacuum cleaners just blow the dust out the
air vent which just puts it back into the air (where it will bother you
some more).  With the Rainbow, the dust get trapped in this removeable/
cleanable water trap so when you dump the water down the drain, there
goes all the air-borne dust particles with it!

My friend here at work highly, highly recommends it .... her two kids
were constantly bothered by the air-borne dust and after she bought and
started using the Rainbow, their sneezings/runny noses/allergies cleared
up immensely.

One thread from the net responses that I do remember is that these
vacuum cleaners do not come cheap when bought brand new.  My friend
paid over $1000 brand new and other netters mentioned spending around
the same amount of money.  Everyone questioned whether the Rainbow was
truly worth the $$$$ but everyone also loved it!

Good luck, 

Elizabeth



>>> Rainbow-vacuum:10

From:    markr@sound.cts.com <Mark.B.Reinhold@trout.nosc.mil>
Subject: Re: Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner
Organization: sound.cts.com, +1 619 469 3415

 I have had one now for about 8 years and love it. It is very
 effective, better than anything else than I have ever seen or
 used.

 You can also set it up like an air filter to clean the air. 

 I would try to find one used vs. buying at retail, but worth
 getting. You will not buy another.


Mark Reinhold SDCT 1225 Coronado Ave Spring Valley CA 92077




>>> Rainbow-vacuum:11

From:    Jim Adams <sasjaa@unx.sas.com>
Subject: RAINBOW vacuum cleaners 

I have a cat. This cat sheds enough to replace my carpet each year
:-). I wasn't really aware of how much she shed until I got the
rainbow. Our hoover never picked up as much cat hair as the rainbow. We
are always amazed! I don't have allergies (yet?) but I have noticed
that dust does not collect nearly as much as before. We don't use our
vacumn as often as we could to really see all the benefits, but we
like what we have seen. We have even used it as a humidifier in our
daughter's room before bedtime (a little loud tho..)

What really sold us on this cleaner was the demonstration where you
vacumn an area with your regular vacumn (ours had just had the bag
changed that day) then with the rainbow. You couldn't tell you had
vacumned with the other cleaner!

James Adams




>>> Rainbow-vacuum:12

From:    paslowp@cs.rpi.edu (Pam Paslow)
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Computer Science, Troy NY


Hi Joe,

My husband is allergic to most environmental things.  Dust and dust
mite are the biggest.  He took allergy shots and pills for years.
About 1 1/2 years ago we bought a Rainbow.  He no longer takes shots,
sees an allergist or takes a prescription pill.  He does take an
antihistimine once a day (more on bad days).  

I'm not saying it was a miracle cure  but he is doing better now than
all those years he took shots, etc.  It cost us about 850 but it was
well worth it in our opinion.  

I don't know anything about the oily particles, etc that you asked
about but when this one bites the "dust" we will definitely get
another one.

Pam




>>> Rainbow-vacuum:13

From:    mara@panix.com (Mara Chibnik)
Subject: Re: Rainbow vacuum - how good is it?

A friend of mine (not far from Cape Cod, Mass.) got one.  She
claimed to be _very_ pleased with it  because it did remove from the
air so many of the irritants that cause her allergies.  She hadn't
had the machine very long when I last visited her, and I didn't
think to ask about it when she was here in NYC last month.

Her allergies include cat dander.   Her cat died, and she cleaned up
afterwards, but she said that the in-house demonstration of the Rainbow
caused such a remarkable improvement for her that she decided to buy
one although she'd previously considered the price prohibitive.

I haven't even _seen_ her machine.  She has a neighbor who sells
them (and through whom she bought hers), and suggested that we ask
the neighbor for a demo in the neighbor's house (since ours is so
far away), but there wasn't time for that.  The price is way too
high for me, I think, and with city grime I'd have to use it
constantly.

But since you ask, I'm telling.  (BTW, if you really want, I'll ask
her permission to give you a phone reference for her, but she isn't
on the net and I'm reluctant just to pass out her phone number
without first clearing it with her.)


  Mara Chibnik




>>> Rainbow-vacuum:14

From:    Ann Schmidt <icedance@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Rainbow vacuum cleaner


I bought a used Rainbow ($300) before I moved into the condo I now occupy
and am very glad I did.  The people who lived there before had two cats (I
am allergic to cats), and though the carpet did not _look_ dirty, it was. 
After it was shampooed twice, I would vacuum with the Rainbow and have to
change the water for each room (they are small rooms). I (my allergies) was
glad to have a vacuum cleaner that takes the dirt completely out.  I don't
think it very likely that grease or very small dirt particles would escape
back into the air if you have the water container filled to the correct
level and the hoses are intact (no splits in the coil).  I have started to
wash my water container regularly with dish detergent or Lysol because the
grease and smells were clinging to the plastic.  I got my Rainbow at a
local vacuum cleaner shop, different shops had different used models at
prices ranging from $200-600.  It was reconditioned and came with a
one-year warranty and as far as I can tell works just as well as a new
machine.

Ann Schmidt


 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other related articles:
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>From: dsill@ophiuchi.nswc.navy.mil (Dave Sill)
Organization: Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren VA

That would be the Rainbow.  My wife has severe hayfever and dust
allergies, and her allergist recommended the Rainbow.  In fact, he
even wrote her a prescription for one, making it a tax-deductible
medical expense!  But they are expensive.  We paid roughly $900 or so
for ours (with a power nozzle).  I later saw a few used Rainbows
advertized for *much* less.

But the sucker, pun intentional, *does* work.  As far as I know,
they're only marketed through direct sales, i.e., you can't buy them
in stores.  A salescritter will demo it in your home, and offer you a
"tonite-only" discount of $100-$150.  It's sleazy, I know, but what
can you do?

> Are these worth the money?

I wouldn't pay the inflated, non-discounted price, but it *is* well
made, and it *is* very effective at removing even the smallest
particles.  They also have a 2-year warranty.

> Where can we find out about them?
Rexair, Inc.
900 Tower Drive
Suite 700
PO Box 3610
Troy, Michigan  48007
(313) 879-2600

> Or should we go with a very good standard model
> and remember to vacuum the day before allergic people visit?

Convential vacuums simply can't filter out the allergens like a
Rainbow.  If you're fastidious, you could probably keep the place
clean enough with a conventional.  With the Rainbow you won't have to
work as hard.  Anyway, from what I've heard, a good Kirby or
Electrolux can bust a grand, so cost may not be the deciding factor.

Dave Sill (dsill@relay.nswc.navy.mil)



 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: dpruitt@cpqhou.uucp (Daniel Pruitt)
Organization: Compaq Computer Corporation

Yes.  I have a Rainbow and I love it.  Well worth the $$$.

Daniel
dpruitt@cpqhou


 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article 25587 of misc.consumers.house:
From: gurley@spectra.com (Jim Gurley)
Organization: Spectragraphics Corporation

Thanks to everone that responded to my query about Rainbow Vacuum cleaners.
In case anyone's curious, here's a summary of the response and the final
chapter of my personal story.

I got more than 20 replies.  All but two were 100% favorable to Rainbow in
principal.  The two negative replies simply thought that for the same
money, you could get a built in whole-house system.

One reply said "forget that you paid too much and enjoy the product".

Two said "back out and you'll get a counter offer of $800 from the
salesman"

One said "I bought mine at a state fair for $800"

The remainder said "look for a used machine, probably for $400"

Well, I'm impressed with the accuracy of 'net wisdom'.  We called the sales
office to 'backout' of the deal (3 day remorse clause).  After several
people tried to talk us out of it on the phone, the salesman and the
franchise owner showed up in person.  After bad-mouthing the alternate
sources as illegal, unreliable, or fraudulent, they offered us a
demonstrator unit for $849.  We had altready found a 5 year old model at an
other shop for $400 (cash) so we said NO.  They 'hurumpfed' and stalked out
(without even returning our trade in).  We then found (seredipity, I
suppose) a two year old (current model) in the classifieds for $375, which
we bought.  It turns out it was a Kirby employee selling a trade-in.  Kirby
(corp.) won't let their dealers sell used non-Kirby equipment, so they have
to 'launder' them through their employees.  We're now the happy owners of a
nearly new Rainbow for less than 25% of the original sales price!

Thanks netters!


 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article 25452 of misc.consumers.house:
From: jimk@inchgower.WV.TEK.COM (Jim Kenney;685-2787;60-850;682-2161;inchgower)
Subject: Re: RAINBOW vacuum cleaners
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR

The best way to get a Rainbow vacuum for a good price is to
buy a used one.  You don't get all the latest features this way
but you can save $500 to $700.  Look in the newspaper classified ads.

We bought one used for $400.  If you keep them clean they just don't
wear out.  $1000 for a motor in a plastic box with some water is just
too much.  You will be much better off with a used one (I can think of
all sorts of thinks to spend the other $600 on).

Jim Kenney