Vacuum Cleaner

[arigram]

Allright, it might be a silly question, but you never know...
Is there a type of vacuum cleaner that would be best for a darkroom, especially a small one?
Since I don't have too much floor estate, should I get a small hand held cleaner?
How about the ones with steam, will it work better for dust?
Is there such thing as an anti-static vacuum cleaner?

I am quite curious to know if there are other answers than "any cheap thing would do the job"...

 

[Ray Heath]

hey ari, don't make it too complicated, all you need is one with a long hose so the machine itself stays out of the darkroom

 

[Steve Smith]

hey ari, don't make it too complicated, all you need is one with a long hose so the machine itself stays out of the darkroom

It could even live outside in a 'mini shed' built as a lean to against an outside wall with just a bit of pipe coming in through the wall which you can attach your hose to when needed.

Oh, I've gone and made it complicated again!

Steve.

 

[arigram]

Thanks guys.
Yeah I know, KISS and all that, but there might have been a piece of information I am ignorant of, that's why I thought I ask.
Steve, I think that idea would work in a large communal darkroom that sees a lot of people, but in a small place like mine where I am the only user, I think I would better go with a small hand held dust sucker.
I was just wondering if there are any things to look for in a good dust fighter, that's why I asked if there is something like an anti-static one.

I would never think of keeping the body of the vacuum cleaner outside. Would it create dust? Doesn't it suck the whole dirt inside? What's the rationale behind that suggestion?

 

[Aggie]

If it is a small space, why not a slightly damp cloth to dust with? Save the money and get more equipment you would really use.

 

[arigram]

Now, that was a big KISS from Aggie!
Thank you dear, I know I would have had trouble spending any money with you as my wife.

 

[Dave Parker]

I use a small 1 gallon shop vac, and keep about 1 inch of water in it to help control the dust.

Dave

 

[mjs]

Many vacuum cleaners spew almost as much dust out as they suck up. You want the exhaust portion outside of your darkroom, if at all possible. I wouldn't go with the hand-held, if it were me. If you can just get a long enough hose with your home vacuum, I'd go with that. If not, lay a damp towel over the vacuum's exhaust to trap the crap going through it's filter. You may be surprised at how it looks after you've used it!

mjs

 

[butterflydream]

I spray water with small atomizer bottle in the air and then wipe the floor with the towel. I hope the water spray takes the dust down to the floor. But I don't know if and how much this really reduces the dust.

I just do it in hope, like other things I do in my life.