Useful Tips for Sebo's X1 Bagged upright vacuum.

Own a Sebo Automatic X1 Bagged upright or perhaps a Windsor-Sensor model? Here are a few tips to get more out of your machine. 
When it comes to filter replacement, the standard cone/tube shaped filter can actually be cleaned by the Sebo if only just for a short moment just to get rid of any attached dirt the filter has accumulated. By removing the filter tube, the auto stop clip comes down, but by lifting your finger with this clip upwards and your other hand holding the bin door, the door can actually be locked back into position as it would normally. Then using the standard upholstery t shaped tool, clean the tube leaving it free of any dust and dirt contained in the tube. Once the tube has been cleaned you can take out the bin door and install the filter back in. Sadly the foam motor filter on the top hood cannot be cleaned or washed and has to be replaced.
If the filter tube however is completely stained and you dont have a free spare one to fit, the filter can actually be removed by removing the tie clips on the top and bottom of the holder. Wash the filter and dry in a tumble dryer - EBay in the UK sometimes sell filter squares which can be tied and locked to the cylindrical tube. Once the filter is dry you can then tie it up to the grid again and if the ties get lost, small computer wire ties are a suitable replacement. 
Another feature of the Sebo X which has only just come to light recently with Sebo's user videos is use of the dry cleaning powder. Although Sebo don't actually tell you, by manually rubbing the powder into your carpet with just your fingers rather than raking it in on the top surface you'll get more out the first application of rubbing the powder in and letting it get a better chance of removing actual heavy stains. If you don't want to rub that powder in manually, remove the top hose by unlocking it where it meets the bag dirt channel on the left hand side of the machine at the top. (right hand obviously if you are facing the Sebo) then the Sebo X can be used as a rolling  brush to rub the powder in. After the 30 minutes minimum waiting time, lock the hose back into the X and vacuum up as normal.
This facility of removing the hose/thus cutting the suction is also very useful to rub in bicarbonate of soda into your carpets if you own pets. Bicarbonate of soda is an ideal natural odourizer which will maintain clean areas. Sebo's DuoP dry powder is ideal to do this as well for general stain protection if you like to keep your carpets clean.
The paper bags can also last a lot longer if the dirt your Sebo has collected remains half way at the top rather than naturally falling to the bottom of the bag.My X1 does this with new carpet fluff. Take the crevice tool and push the tool into the top opening of the bag to push the dirt GENTLY down - this will give you extra longevity on the bag used as well as not having to replace it so often. 
There are ways to make your Sebo X1 cost effective!