Water-reservoir vacuum cleaner

That likely was and is the Rainbow.

It is not available in stores (or at least was not).

I was high quality, worked well. It also was way over priced, and awkward as well as heavy.

It did a good job of trapping dust, but you had to empty the water after each use.

I would suggest taking a look at some of the HEPA filter dry machines on the market today. A read of the last Consumer Reports Magazine review would also be a good idea. You local library should have a copy.

I was considering one before I got my central system. When I fist called them about 15 years ago they wanted $575 for it. After about a dozen phone calls from them they got down to offering me the same one for $150. If they had done that on the first call I likely would have bought it. I am glad they did not, I like the central system far better. (yea I had the opportunity to use a Rainbow quite a few times.

If using water is a good way to trap the dirt/dust from vacuuming, wouldn't it make a good system on a central vac?

Not really since the vaccum motor is outside. If it blows a little extra dust around the yard who's gonna notice?

Steve B.

CU tested a Rainbow along with several others quite a few years back and it was definitely NOT one of the best for cleaning nor was the exhaust all that dust free. A HEPA or similar system would be much better and a whole lot less trouble.