I have owned a G-4 model for 14 years. My parents had a Kirby also so I have essentially grown up with one. I have pretty bad allergies so I felt owning a Kirby would be best for removing all the dust, etc.
The bags fill up fast with an amazing amount of dirt and dust, so you know it’s cleaning so much more thoroughly than other vacs. I also use the shampoo attachment and love it for cleaning the carpets in my house. I have to pull out the instruction manual to make sure I set the parts up right, but once it’s set up, it’s easy to use and goes quickly.
It does not leave the carpets sopping wet for hours like so many commercial rug cleaners do. And because the dirt in the rugs is regularly cleaned by the Kirby, there’s no muddy residue building up under your carpets like what usually happens with inferior vacs and traditional carpet cleaning.
Sometimes the stubborn stains in rugs need scrubbing by hand (I usually do it after I’ve cleaned the carpet already and it’s still damp.) Then you go over the carpets again with regular vacuuming, wait a few hours for the carpets to dry, and wah-lah, you have clean, fresh carpets!
The down side to this is that sometimes blackish stripes end up on the carpet while shampooing. It seems to come from the vac, I’m guessing the wheel, but am not sure. I just scrub them out by hand if I notice them.
I also rinse all the parts out in the tub afterwards, otherwise all the wet dirt and debris end up drying on the some of the parts restricting air flow a bit and cleaning ability later, or leave some additional stains on the moist carpeting.
What I really like is that I can clean my carpets much more often and use environmentally safe and unscented cleaners for the shampooing. It also has an attachment for carpeted stairs which is helpful.
I also do most of my house dusting with the attachments, it does a much better job at getting into crevices, etc. than using a cloth and just spreading dust around.
I also have used attachments for cleaning inside my car, using it to clean leaves off the driveway (so quick once it’s set up) and for blowing up large inflatable items. (Directions for these are in the manual provided).
My husband and I were probably a bit naive when we bought the Kirby G4 vacuum years ago, not realizing the price could be negotiated. We paid about $1600 for it, but it has certainly paid for itself in all the carpet cleaning alone it has done.
Will never get rid of my Kirby G4: I bought my Kirby G4 in 1993 or 4, don’t remember exactly when because I have had it so long. Before that I bought other vacuums every year like clockwork.
The G4 has more than paid for itself over the years and I would not want any other kind of vacuum.
I read a review that Rainbow Vacs outdo a Kirby, however I know three individuals who had Rainbows that literally self destructed after a few years of use. None of the three were in ‘abusive’ environments.
My Kirby on the other hand, has vacuumed up after 5 kids, numerous grandkids, dogs, cats and whatever else ever since the mid 90’s with only a few parts replaced. Dependable and durable.
Offer me any thing else? Well you can offer, but I will never get rid of my Kirby. Buying it was one of the smartest economical moves I ever did.
Kirby G4: Owned the Kirby G4 vacuum for about 16 years and never regretted the purchase. Attachments are great, sometimes you can find one-size-fits-all parts like the crevice tool and extensions alot cheaper than Kirby accessory prices.
The strong suction assures me of a good cleaning with hepa filter cleaning the air and not throwing dust back out. I use it on everything including the car, pet, ceiling, fans, dusting, shampooing, upholstery, and bedding. When the bag is near full, it’s a great way to pick up fireplace debris then changing out the bag.
The Kirby G4 vacuum cleaner gets the edges of carpeting to baseboards extremely well. There is also a collection area that holds small change, stones, and metal debris like screws that sometimes make it easy to sift thru and discard if not needing these items.
The only things I’ve replaced are the belt, hose, and floor attachment since which cracked at the base connection. I have all the attachments imaginable.
Only complaints are that this machine is very heavy, changing out the carpet power head to hose attachment is a nuisance, and the floor attachment gets hair/debris around the tiny roller wheels that you have to take off 4 screws, clean, and reattach. Mild nuisance considering the great reliability and satisfaction of the job being done well.
Kirby ought to make a stick-style vacuum for easy clean ups so you don’t have to always pull out the “beast” as I call it.
I have had a Kirby G4 vacuum for over 15 years now. For the most part I love it, it has great suction power and has yet to lose any power. It vacuums my bare floors just as well as my carpeted ones.
Overall it is one of the best vacuums I have ever owned. The only problems I have had is it is a little on the heavy side and the bags for it are a little pricey, but overall you cannot beat the fact that it is still going strong after 15 years.
same here..the best part is the roller brush which does not damage carpets and the bristles seem to last forever..mine is 23 years old
if i found one with as good a brush i may consider selling. though secondhand not worth much
A Question: I have owned a wonderful second hand G3 for 10 years, and have just bought a G4 in beautiful condition, also second hand. We are replacing our carpeted living room floor with a laminated wooden floor. Does anyone know if I can clean this new floor with my Kirby, please?
The G4 is bulky: I’ve had my Kirby G4 for 15 years. They are expensive & somewhat bulky. After seeing some of the newer & lighter vacuums out there, I think I’m ready to trade the old gal in.
the best thing about Kirbys is the cleaning brush or roller brush which is still superior to those on most if not all new machines including the most well known
I have had a G4 since 93 or 94. It just now broke down. I bought a Hoover last week but will be returning it. Heavy and kills my back. I’m just going to buy the parts I need and fix the old girl up. Still cleans well and although it’s heavy, not as cumbersome as the Hoover I just bought.
Bought our G4 in 1991. Fully carpeted houses for 27 years. Never failed—amazing suction. Still have it, 32 years, going strong!
I would not buy the carpet cleaning. Was useless. So was the Power-rotating hand-held head. Useless junk. But the vacuum, hose, extensions, and attachments are the best.
Outdated boat anchors, heavy and noisy.
Worst heaviest piece of junk ever I wish I could just get my money back. Salesperson came to my house and sold it to me. One of the worst investments I ever made.
First of all, they called my phone said that they were coming to do a cleaning based on a referral from people I know. (And get this, when I checked back with those people they said they never gave anyone my information). Anyway, the company never gave the name of the company over the phone, and NEVER indicated that they were coming to sell a vacuum.
Anyway, on this call, they said they would come and do my living room and vacuum my basement steps for free, and that this is how they get referrals. They swept and mopped my living room floor, alright – with his sneakers on that he just came outside with… meanwhile, I offer him booties so that he won’t walk across the rest of my floors with his sneakers on so we can get to the basement steps he said he would vacuum. He refused the booties because he had “so much faith in the vacuum”.
Fast forward, we’re at the steps and he’s like, “your steps are too dirty for me to clean, I don’t want to step on them with my socks on.” Meanwhile, he didn’t ask, “can I grab my sneakers and you grab the booties?” Even though when we made the appointment they said they would do *both* services…
To conclude, if someone calls you saying they want to come and do a *free* cleaning, it really IS too good to be true, SMH. These people are scammers….
P.S. He told me this vacuum costs $2400, but whenever he used any of the fancy hose attachments, they kept popping off. For $2400, I expect it to work *seamlessly*. But I forgot to add my favorite part of his demo when he demonstrated how the vacuum can also be a blower and he turned it *on my face* to prove it SMH. You see these *free* “house cleaning” folks come, RUN…