Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
I’ve been testing this out for the past 3 weeks and I’ve decided it’s something that some people might find beneficial, so I’m going to share my experience along with a few pics.
What is it? It’s called a Pool Skimmer Sock.
What’s it do? Off label use. Works as a pre filter for my Ridgid wet/dry vacs filter.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d6ad0e3c1b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0412b45e89.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ff7182f332.jpg
You can find them online for very cheap. I bought a 30 pack for $14.99. I bought the Aiglam brand ones and FYI, right now I see them priced @$12.99
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6257faf536.jpg
My Ridgid is a 14 gallon vacuum so it uses the taller filters that you see in the pics. I know alot of people use the 4 gallon Ridgid vac that uses different size filters and I do not know the dimensions of those filters so I don’t know if these socks will fit those, you’ll have to research that yourself.
Make sure you check the dimensions of the socks before you buy, as I’ve noticed some sellers offer cheaper price listings but the socks are also smaller and some people report that those smaller socks don’t fit the filter properly, so check the dimensions before you buy.
These are the dimensions for the full size socks that fit my vacs filters. 8x4.5” and they stretch to fit. [The smaller ones are like 6.5” in length and won’t fit properly]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9150c97f67.png
So how well does this work? Well I can say it works ok/ pretty well and I think some people would say it works pretty darn great and I can understand why… Check out what it looks like opening my vacuum after 3 weeks of good use.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e8941ca3e0.jpg
Normally I’d have to go through my process of putting the filter into a kitchen trash bag and beating the dirt out of it for a while, followed by rinsing it with the garden hose and letting it dry in the sun.
But the convenience of this method is all I had to do is quickly remove the sock into the trash bin and give the filter a couple of quick bangs inside the bin and it’s serviceable once again without the effort of having to clean it.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...194ba7975b.jpg
Is it perfect? Far from perfect. Is it serviceable? Yes it is.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...66fa876047.jpg
Just put a new pool sock on and we’re ready to rock & roll.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dfd2c2a1b5.jpg
Pros:
-It’s inexpensive
-Doesn’t affect the suction at all
-Cuts the filter cleanup time down to a fraction of what it usually takes
-The socks are washable and reusable if you decide to be El Cheapo about it
Cons: And this may mess with your OCD…
-How much will it bother you if you don’t get your filter as clean as possible in between emptyings of the canister?
It all depends on whether that even matters to you aka OCD. Filter type also plays a factor because i.e. my filter is a CleanStream hepa filter and they say you’re not supposed to use compressed air to clean it so I don’t have the option to use my blower on it whereas you can use air if you have the Rifgid blue filter along with other filters.
That’s the only con I see so far, but as you can see it’s sort of a minor con.
Hopefully some people reading this will find this useful for their vacuums. Thanks for reading.
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Very cool idea, Ric.
Nice write-up too. :props:
Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Thank you. Looks like I’m sold on the idea…and the call me El Cheapo Capitan.
Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Quote:
Originally Posted by
robwoodgto
…and the call me El Cheapo Capitan.
What about Admiral? :laughing::laughing:
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PaulMys
What about Admiral? :laughing::laughing:
I guess most can be cheap, but I can really be cheap. And my wife hates it because she says “you never want to spend a penny.” I want to tell her “yeah for every dollar I spend on my stuff you want to spend three. So, for the record she doesn’t see half of what I spend due to my creative finances. Four years of accounting will either get you in trouble (got a friend in trouble now and I believe will end up being “away” trouble) or help you manage your finances so your wife believes you are a cheapo…I’m the latter. But I do like this sock.
So I would extend that one to Fleet Admiral cheapo. LOL
Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Another great tip, and your writeup was very well done.
Funny thing. I have an old Genie-brand "shop vac" that I use for my cars because it is small/convenient but powerful for its size. It's factory filtration system consists of something quite similar to your pool sock.
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Great tip Eldo !!! I have some skimmer socks sitting out in my pool bin that I am not using so I am excited to try this. I actually stopped using the skimmer socks on my pool because they restricted the water flow a bit based on their density when they got dirty. Someone on one of the pool forums suggested using simple hair nets used by food prep workers. Voila...they are perfect and I use them all the time in my pool skimmers.
Now I can find a use for my skimmer socks I am not using :)
Re: Quick tip regarding wet/dry vacuum filters
Love it!
Almost have to wonder why someone at Rigid or Shop-Vac, etc. didn't think about this and offer it as an option.
Thank you for sharing!
:)