DC & when to replace dust bag?

[Jess Wetherhold]

85154I have been using this for a little over a year and am wondering when the top dust bag needs to be replaced. I work with padouk and purpleheart regularly and the top bag on my unit is red now. Is there a way to clean the bag?
Also, are these canister filters more efficient? 85153 If so would it fit on my existing dc 50-760? Thanks

[Pat Germain]

I have the same DC. Take the bag outside, turn it inside-out and pound it like a rug. Don't wash it. It will come out looking like a herford.

The canisters are better. Some have a crank on top wich clears out the dust inside. Of course, they also involve extra expense. You can get canisters to fit your DC, but I don't know about the specific canister you pictured.