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It is difficult to imagine cleaning up the house without a vacuum cleaner, but don’t you just hate it when your vacuum smells like a wet dog? Worse, it makes the house smell bad too. Did you know that clogged pores, organic waste and pet dander are the leading causes of foul odor emanating from the vacuum?
However, there are several measures you can take to prevent these unpleasant odors:
It’s All In The Bag
Before you embark on a deodorizing mission, it helps to understand where these odors are originating from. The vacuum bag or the vacuum canister (in bag-less vacuums) is a storehouse for dirt and debris, and these can, over time, cause unpleasant odors.
If you have a vacuum with a disposable bag, make sure you change the bag every 2-3 months, regardless of how full it is. For bags that are washable, empty them out regularly, turn them inside out and air them out in the sun for a few hours. For bag-less vacuum cleaners, clean the insides thoroughly with detergent and water and dry them before using the machine.
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Change The Filter
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Filters can trap an astounding amount of dirt, which may be causing that awful smell every time you switch on the vacuum. For the sake of your vacuum (and your nostrils), it is recommended that you change or clean your filters every couple of months.
Use Deodorizers
If vacuum odors are persistent, try using a “deodorant” for your vacuum cleaner. And no, this doesn’t have to be some expensive super-specialized product bought from the store – regular household items will do just fine. The most common trick used by vacuum cleaner users is to sprinkle a generous quantity of baking soda onto the carpet and then vacuum it up. Baking soda has a natural tendency to absorb odors so you are essentially freshening up your carpet and the insides of the vacuum cleaner with this step.
Some people find it helpful to place pieces of raw, ungrounded spices like cloves and cinnamon inside the bag or cavity of the cleaner, while others line it with fabric softener sheets. You may also use liquid enzyme cleaners (if you are sure they will not damage the bag or the plastic body) and disinfectant sprays to keep the insides of the vacuum cleaner squeaky clean and fresh smelling at all times.
Don’t Be Afraid To Disassemble
If, in spite of cleaning, changing and deodorizing the bag, the smells persist, you may want to look at other causes within the anatomy of the vacuum cleaner. Disassemble the components and look for any blockages within the tubes (large debris and pet hair are common culprits).
Use And Maintain It Well
Like every machine, vacuum cleaner may need timely servicing and maintenance by the pros. If your vacuum cleaner doesn’t come in use very often, do take it out of its storage once in a while and give it a run. This will help you catch hold of any decay or problems within the machine and get them fixed at the earliest.
This post has been contributed by Alena Love, who is an employee at PowerVac, a company offering commercial vacuums. She is very passionate about maintaining a clean and healthy environment and for this very purpose she shares her innovative ideas through her articles.
Daniel Lewis says
Great topic! Vacuum cleaners is very essential for any home, factories, businesses etc. Thanks for this useful information.