Does your vacuum smells like dog? Do you perceive bad odor oozing from your vacuum? No one likes unpleasant smells, so you must get rid of the smell quickly.
If you own a furry animal, your vacuum has a tendency to smell. Pet hair and dander can cause smell in vacuums. Pet urine also, after sticking with vacuumed hair, can cause an unpleasant odor in your vacuum
Mold, which thrives on humidity and moisture, can also be a cause of smell in vacuums. This mostly happens when you vacuum a wet carpet. Another smell from vacuum can be from stretched and overused belts; this smell is easily recognizable as it smells like burning plastic.
Vacuum cleaners are known to remove dirt from your home. They literally suck up dirt from surfaces. If you don’t pay attention to the vacuum cleaner and clean it regularly, accumulated dirt can cause unpleasant odor from the vacuum cleaner.
Let’s take a looks at a quick fix on how to get rid of vacuum smell.
How to Get Rid of Vacuum Smell
Table of Contents
Empty The Dust Bag Or Bin
If your vacuum cleaner has a dust bag, you have to replace it. Sometimes, the smell is from the dust bag, so replacing the dust bag might just be the only fix to get rid of the unpleasant smell.
Some vacuum cleaners have a dust bin instead of a dust bag. Empty the dust bin into your cabbage and then wash the bin well with soap and hot water.
It is advisable that you apply a small amount of baking soda or white vinegar to forestall the growth of mildew. Make sure that every angle and corner of the dust bin is properly washed.
Replace Or Clean Filters
With time, filters can get dusty and dirty too. If you have a washable filter, brush the dust on it away and rinse the filter under cold running water. Rinse the washable filter until the water runs clear on the filter.
Do not be deceived by a filter that is looking clean; it can gather a significant amount of dust. Invariably, rinsing the filter can take up to about seven minutes. Air-dry the filter for 24 hours before re-installing it.
If your filter is the type that cannot be dry cleaned or washed, you have to consider replacing it. Generally, filters in vacuum cleaners should be replaced at least once in a year.
However, if you have pets or you use your vacuum frequently, check the filter every six months.
Check Brushes
No matter what is responsible for the unpleasant smell, the rotating brushes of the vacuum should be cleaned at least once every six months. The brushes can accumulate a large amount of dirt on their own as they are used to clean rugs and carpet often.
So, checking the underneath part of your floor head attachment is a decisive step to take in getting rid of unpleasant smell in your vacuum cleaner.
Start by unplugging the vacuum from the power outlet. Detach the brush from the floor head attachment if it is detachable. Gently cut and remove any hair stuck within the bristles, with the use of scissors. Watch out for the bristles; do not cut them.
Wash the brush with soap and water. If the brush is difficult to reach and not detachable, spray it with vinegar and water. Dry the brush in fresh air for 24 hours. Attach it back when it is completely dry.
Clean the Hose
The hose can be responsible for the unpleasant smell oozing from the vacuum. One of the first places that dirt passes through before getting to the filter or dust bag is the hose. Most times, small particles get stuck in the inner folded part of the hose, so hoses can get clogged.
As time goes by, the dirt in the hose decay and have an unpleasant smell. Therefore, it is important to wash the hose in order to get rid of any bad odor.
Detach the hose and put it on a flat surface. Use a long and thin object like a stick of broom to remove clogs and remnants of dirt. Push through the hose gently until it is clear.
Pour about 5 inches of hot water into your kitchen sink. Add a tablespoon of your regular dishwashing soap and two tablespoons of bleach. You can use vinegar or baking soda in place of bleach.
Submerge the hose in the sink. Move it in the soap water, making sure water moves all over the parts of the house and through the inner part of the hose.
Empty the sink and then rinse the sink under running water and allow the water to flow through to the other end of the hose. Dry the hose for 24 hours. Finally, attach the hose back when it is completely dry.
How To Prevent Unpleasant Odor From A Vacuum
Essential oils can be sprayed on your vacuum dust bag or bin to make your vacuum smell nice. Essential oils are also effective at preventing the growth of mold. Thyme and lemongrass are good examples of essential oils.
Fill a 32 oz spray bottle with water and a teaspoon of baking soda. Then add 30 drops of the essential oil. Now, spray the inside part of the dust bin or bag. Don’t dampen the bag or bin too much so that it can dry quickly.
You can get a spice from your kitchen to apply on your vacuum dust bag. Cinnamon is a good example of spice that can give your vacuum a pleasant smell.
Additionally, cinnamon is antibacterial and can prevent the growth of germs. To get these benefits, place of a tablespoon of powdered cinnamon in the dustbin or bag.
Another remedy for unpleasant smells in a vacuum cleaner is the use of baking soda. Baking soda is capable of absorbing unpleasant odor.
Sprinkle a few teaspoons of baking soda inside the dust bag through the holes. If it is a dust bin that your vacuum cleaner has, sprinkle the baking soda on the walls of the bin.
Related: best trash can for dog poop
Conclusion
If your vacuum smells like dog, you have to clean the vacuum. Although sprinkling baking soda or applying air fresheners can get rid of unpleasant odor, the main solution is to clean your vacuum- from the brushes to the hose, filter, and dust bag or bin.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your vacuum is not debatable if you don’t want any unpleasant odor from your vacuum. Your vacuum has to be cleaned every 3 to 6 months.
You can clean it more often if you use it frequently. How often do you clean your vacuum? And does your vacuum smell like dog? If you tackled it using a different approach, do let us know in the comments.