7 ways to stop your vacuum smelling
Vacuuming is no one’s favourite chore. With embedded hair in the carpet and crumbs clinging to the kitchen kickboards, it often leaves us sweating by the end. But one thing that can make matters worse is a smelly vacuum.
Vacuums vent the air they suck in after the residue has been collected and it’s passed through the filter. The trouble with this is, if your vacuum smells, you’re essentially blowing that aroma around your home as it runs. The result is a lingering smell that dwells for hours at a time. And no matter what we do, it’s there every time we pick up the vacuum.
Before you run out and buy a new machine, there are ways to get rid of this smell once and for all. In fact, we’ve found 7 ways you can get your vacuum smelling as if it were new again. Here’s what you need to do.
A note on essential oils
Before we begin, some sites recommend using essential oils to make your vacuum smell fresher, either by applying it via cotton balls into the canister or directly onto the filter. We do not recommend doing this. According to Asaph Ooi, Head of Product Programmes for Floorcare at Dyson:
“While we love the idea of finding ways to reduce bad odours in your home, we would never recommend intentionally including large foreign objects in the bin of a Dyson vacuum, as it could reduce the functionality of the primary cyclone and cause a loss of suction power.
“We also do not recommend that owners expose their machines to any liquid including water or essential oils. Owners should refer to the instructions in the manual provided with the machine upon purchase, as usage of their machine outside of what it’s designed to do may void their guarantee.”
So stick to the below steps if you want your vacuum to last longer and keep performing as it should.
1. Clear any blockages
The smell is likely coming from within the vacuum. There might be a blockage in the hose, or perhaps residue left over in the canister, so it’s worth giving the whole vacuum a deep clean.
First, switch it off and unplug it (if corded), then take it apart and remove any visible blockages. Blockages can form around the entrance to the body as well as the top of the bag (if bagged), so it’s a good idea to check here once the hose is removed. You’ll also need to cut away any hair that’s wrapped around the brush bar; this will impair the pickup rate. Some vacuums come with an indent, so you can slide a pair of scissors along the bar to make things easier.
GHI Tip: It’s easy to check if there’s a blockage in the hose: just hold it up to the light and look through it. The hose can be soaked if a blockage is proving difficult to reach or remove.
2. Clean the body
Now that it’s free of blockages, it’s time to clean what remains. All non-electrical attachments, such as the crevice tool, dusting brush and the hose, can generally be washed in warm, soapy water. Even the floor head may be suitable for rinsing in warm water, so long as there’s no electrical components. Check your manual first if you’re unsure.
It’s also important that you remove and clean the inside of the canister with soapy water if you have a bagless vacuum – lots of residue can collect here. The exterior of the vacuum can be wiped with a cloth dampened with soapy water, but avoid any electrical parts once again. Leave all attachments to dry completely before replacing.
3. Clean the filter
A blocked filter often causes a vacuum to smell. That’s because the air is passing through the residue before it vents away. This blockage can also put strain on the appliance as it can’t vent effectively, which in turn makes it overheat and exacerbates the smell. Some vacuums are advanced enough to tell you when the filter needs cleaning, otherwise you’ll know when the performance suffers.
Thankfully, these filters are often removable and washable, but you should check with your manual first to confirm. Some vacuums come with more than one filter and they’re not always washable and may need to be replaced instead (or just tapped against the bin to remove dust). Even the washable ones will need replacing eventually, so its worth checking this beforehand.
Follow the instructions to wash your filter. General directions include tapping the excess into the bin before rinsing it under cool water and gently wiping away the residue with your fingers, or a soft brush. Once the water runs clear, shake the filter over the sink to remove any final droplets, before lightly dabbing it with towels and then leaving it to dry in a well-ventilated spot. Only replace it once completely dry (wait at least 24 hours). Make sure it dries quickly, or this encourages a musty smell that can make things worse.
4. Vacuum up some bicarb
Bicarb is a brilliant deodoriser. That’s because it actively neutralises both acidic and alkaline odour molecules in the air. For this reason, we can use it to remedy a smelly fridge, wardrobe or bathroom. But it can come to the rescue for your vacuum cleaner, too.
By sprinkling a small amount over your carpets and vacuuming it up, it can get to work on any smells inside your vacuum. This could be handy if the smell is coming from inside a vacuum bag. But you need to watch you don’t vacuum up too much. An excess of bicarb could contribute to a blockage, taking you back to square one again. It could also invalidate your warranty, so it’s worth checking if your model is suitable for this with the brand first. You could always add it directly to the bag for bagged models.
5. Consider what you’re vacuuming
While our vacuums are great for picking up dust and hair, there are some things on our floors we should avoid. Food residue can contribute to bad smells because it starts to deteriorate from within the vacuum. If you fail to empty the canister immediately, or it’s being kept in a vacuum bag, that’s when things get smelly. If it grows mouldy, a musty odour could be the result.
Of course, this can’t always be avoided. A crumb here and there won’t make much of a difference, but you shouldn’t be vacuuming up excessive amounts of food or large particles of it. Not only can you smell the results, but it can also block your vacuum and deter the performance. A quick sweep with a dustpan and brush on your kitchen floors beforehand can make all the difference to your vacuum and stop it from carrying smelly contents. Other smelly residue to avoid includes cat litter and clumps of dirt.
While pet hair is fine for your vacuum to collect, if that’s what’s making your vacuum smell, consider if there’s any way you can reduce the impact. For instance, grooming or washing your pet more regularly could reduce the amount of hair around the home along with its smell.
6. Empty regularly
Following on from this, it makes sense to empty your vacuum regularly to keep it ventilated. If you have a bagless model, empty it after each run and make sure you don’t exceed the max fill line on the canister. I do this too often with my Dyson; it always cuts out and there’s a blockage I need to tease free when I empty the canister.
Empty your vacuum from within the bin to prevent a dust cloud or take it outside if you have allergies. Otherwise, you end up having to vacuum around the bin again.
For bagged models, you need to wait until the bag is full before you change it. Most vacuums come with an indicator light to show this, but if not you can visually inspect the bag. You can also do this to potentially remove anything that’s contributing to a bad smell. Do not empty and reuse the same bag – it can deter the efficiency of the machine. Take care not to overload it either, or blockages and errors will be the result.
7. Store it in a ventilated space
If your vacuum is stored in a space that is dark, humid and lacks ventilation, then that’s encouraging bacterial growth within, which makes it smell worse. Store your vacuum somewhere with adequate airflow, where it’s out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating. It should be kept in an accessible place so you can grab it when you need it. I keep mine near the bin, so it’s easy to empty and replace after each use.
Cordless vacuums may benefit from a holder or a stand. Otherwise, many models can only be leaned against a wall to keep them upright. These can easily tip over if not secured, though, scratching your wall in the process. Some stands can hold all of the attachments, too, which is a bonus.
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