How To Make Your Vacuum Cleaner Smell Good

how to make your vacuum smell good

Your vacuum cleaner helps in keeping your home smelling nice and fresh by getting rid of dust, dirt, dander, and other particles stuck on your floor and in your carpet and upholstery.

However, since they suck in all the dirt, they become the new hub of all those dust and germs from all over your home. And if you don’t regularly maintain it, that cleaning machine can start to contribute to the mess in your home, emitting a nasty smell. Read here: 10 Best Vacuum Cleaners Under $300

In this article, we will show you the main causes of smelly vacuums as well as steps on how to make your vacuum smell good again!

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4 Causes of a Smelly Vacuum

1) Pet Hair

If you have fur babies around, their coat and hair might be the main cause of a smelly vacuum. Pet dander and hair are already smelly and when you vacuum them, they will carry the odor inside the device.

Not only that, but pet urine can also add a stronger stench. Although it is unlikely that you will vacuum your pet’s accident directly, the liquid can stick to dust and pet hair. Once vacuumed, this combination of pet hair and dried urine can create the best recipe for a nasty, musty smell.

2) Mold Accumulations

Don’t have any pets? You’re still not exempted from smelly vacuum cleaners.

Mold particles are usually found in vacuum filters and bags. If left unattended, this can create a strong smell that you might be quite familiar with (the strong musty smell in the basement).

Mold loves humidity and moisture to grow. Now, if you tried to vacuum a wet carpet or cleaned the vacuum bag with water then used it before allowing it to dry, then you are welcoming mold into your vacuum cleaner.

3) Excessive Dust

You don’t just vacuum dust. When vacuuming, dirt and other pieces of debris also join the ride. Whether you are catching used coffee grinds or dried food mess, they all contribute to a strong, smelly vacuum.

In addition, letting too much dirt and dust accumulate in the dust bin or dust bag can eventually impact the life of your vacuum cleaner.

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4) Burnt Belt

The vacuum belt may also cause a foul odor. Made of rubber, belt allows the brush to roll, capturing dirt, hair, and dust. Without proper caring and maintenance, the dirt and hair stuck within the brush bristles can prevent the brush from rotating properly which damages the rubber.

Also, the belt can get caught on the brush as well. Overused and stretched belts produce a burning plastic smell.

How To Make Your Vacuum Smell Good

how to make your vacuum smell good

1) Cleaning The Dust Bag

The first tip on how to make your vacuum smell good is to always clean the dust bag or dirt canister. Always dispose of accumulated dirt on the canister or bag before it is even full.

After that, do it a habit to always clean your dust bag or canister with freshwater or as per the manufacturer’s instruction. Just make sure that the bag or canister is completely dry before putting it back to the vacuum cleaner.

2) Cleaning The Filter

Vacuum filters are the ones keeping dirt, allergens, and dust out of the air. Thus, they too can become soiled and dirty. It is recommended that you clean your filter as per your manufacturer’s instructions.

Or if it is too soiled, then it is recommended that you replace it to keep your vacuum cleaner in optimal shape and increase the filtering efficiency. In general, it is recommended that you change your vacuum filter every 3 – 6 months.

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3) Cleaning The Hose

Another way on how to make your vacuum smell good is to clean the vacuum hose or tube. This is one of the first places where dirt and dust pass through before reaching the vacuum’s filter, dust bag, or dirt canister.

Furthermore, small particles usually get stuck within the inner tube or hose, causing a clogged hose. Over time such clogging can cause decay, creating an unpleasant odor.

To prevent this, you just need to remove any clogging and cleaning the hose with water or liquid soap or as per manufacturer’s instruction. 

4) Cleaning The Brushes

The vacuum’s rotating brushes need to be maintained and cleaned at least once or twice a year. They are often used to clean carpets and rugs, accumulating a large amount of dirt and dust on their own.

To clean the brush, you just need to cut and remove and hair stuck within its bristles. After that, pull out strands of hair as well as dirt. Wash the brush with soapy water or as per manufacturer’s instruction. Read Here: Shark Vacuum Not Sucking – How To Fix It

5) Using Perfume Pads

For the more personal approach on how to make your vacuum smell good, there are perfume pads available in various sizes and aromas.

Check the accessibility and size of your vacuum filter before you choose the perfume pad. In most cases, perfume pads can be inserted into the vacuum filter.

The purpose of these perfume pads is to release the aroma into the air whenever you use the vacuum cleaner.

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6) Sprinkling Baking Soda or Cinnamon

If you just want to neutralize the smell from your vacuum cleaner, you can sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda into your vacuum dust bag or dirt canister. Baking soda prevents bad smells from coming back out to your home.

Or you can also sprinkle a small amount of powdered cinnamon to counteract the smell of dust and dirt that the vacuum picks up while providing a fresh, sweet scent. If you don’t like cinnamon, you can try other items such as dried orange rind or coffee beans to pre-fill your vacuum dust bag or dirt canister and provide some level of odor protection.

Make it a habit to sprinkle cinnamon and baking soda or other odor-protecting items to your vacuum bag every time you change or clean it for the best results.

Cleaning It Off

When used regularly, vacuum cleaners will start producing an unpleasant odor. We hope these tricks can help keep your vacuum in good condition and always smelling fresh, so you and your family can enjoy a clean and safe environment to live in.

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