Vax vacuum bags
Most current Vax vacuum cleaners are bagless, which is why bag listings for the brand are thinner than for Miele or Hoover. A minority of older Vax cylinder models from the 6000 and 6100 series did use a paper bag, and this page covers what is verifiable for that legacy range.
How to identify your Vax model
Most of the Vax range sold today is bagless, which is why bag listings for the brand are thin compared with Miele or Hoover. Open the machine before you order anything: if the compartment holds a clear bin that lifts out and empties from the bottom, there is no bag reference to look for.
Where a bagged Vax cylinder is involved, the model number is printed on a label on the body and the bag reference is printed on the collar of the bag fitted. Legacy references are the ones to search for, and they are increasingly sold as third party stock rather than by Vax directly.
Bags for Vax machines
Each reference below has its own page on this site with the full list of machines it fits, the fitting steps and the mistakes that cost people a pack of bags.
| Bag reference | Fits | Capacity | Bags per box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vax 6131 / 6131SX series paper bag (legacy) | Older Vax 6000 and 6100 series cylinder vacuums that predate the brand's move to bagless cyclonic technology | Approximately 3 litres | 5 bags (typical pack size from third-party stockists) |
Where Vax owners go wrong
- Ordering a bag for a bagless machine because a listing pairs the two. Check the compartment first.
- Assuming any paper cylinder bag will do because the machine is old. A bag that does not seal at the collar sends dust straight to the motor filter.
- Paying a premium for scarce legacy stock without first confirming the reference on the old bag.
When to change the bag
On a bagged legacy Vax the bag is the whole of the first filtration stage, and these machines have no indicator to rely on. Check the bag by eye every few uses and change it at roughly two thirds full rather than waiting for suction to fall away.
Vax bags: common questions
How do I tell whether my Vax takes a bag?
Open the dust compartment. A bag holder with a card or plastic collar means bagged; a clear bin that detaches means bagless.
Are legacy Vax bags still available?
They are stocked by third party sellers rather than as a current line. Confirm the reference on the old bag before ordering, because returns on discontinued stock are awkward.
Can I wash and reuse the bag?
No. Paper bags are single use and the collar seal will not survive a wash.