If bad odors in your vacuum are disturbing your living room or commercial space cleaning routine lately and you are looking for guidance on how to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner, then your search ends here. Vacuum cleaners are a blessing to cater to the cleaning needs of modern households, but even the vacuum of your dreams demands a frequent maintenance routine to function optimally.
Encountering a large volume of dust, loose debris, and pet hair, they often function efficiently if a proper cleaning routine and certain preventive measures are not taken at the correct time. Just abide by the steps listed in this comprehensive article on how to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner and say goodbye to smelly vacuum cleaners from now on.
Table of Contents
How to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner: What causes a vacuum to smell?
There is a high chance of a vacuum cleaner emitting a smell if the correct cleaning routine is followed. If you understand the underlying causes of why your vacuum cleaner smells, you can easily adopt a list of proactive steps listed in the following sections to emit odors coming from your vacuum cleaners. Some of the common reasons for why your vacuum cleaner smells bad are,
Accumulated Pet Hair-Over time, if not cleaned properly pet hair can get entangled in the brush roll of the vacuum cleaner, making the vacuum cleaner emit a unique pet odor. The entangled pet hair encourages bacteria and germs to breed and emit persistent odors.
Mold and mildew growth-If there is any residue of moisture present inside your vacuum cleaner, because of higher humidity levers, water leaks, or spills then mold and mildew get a favorable environment for their growth. If such a damp condition develops inside your vacuum cleaner, then due to the presence of mold and mildew your device will emit a musty odor.
Burnt or worn-out Belt: Rubber vacuum belts can generate an odor when they get worn out, and after getting heated for a considerable time, they emit smells. Also, slipping and worn-out belts hinder the performance of vacuum cleaners and generate an unpleasant odor or a faint burning smell due to friction. When the debris gets entangled in the brush and belt, the vacuum cleaner needs to endure more pressure, and as a result, due to friction, you can get a sour odor from the rubbery material of the belt.
Excessive dust and debris-With time, debris, dust, and dirt accumulate inside your vacuum cleaner, and when the brush rolls, dustbins, filters, and pipes are not cleaned properly, they rot inside the device to emit a stale and unpleasing odor.
Clogged filters-Vacuum filters serve the purpose of trapping dirt particles, and thus if not regularly cleaned, get saturated and clogged generating an unpleasing odor. Due to clogged filters, the airflow inside the vacuum filter gets reduced leading to overheating and the subsequent emission of burnt or sour smell.
Overheating motors-When the belt of your vacuum cleaner gets worn out then the motor feels additional pressure and gets overheated releasing a burnt smell indicating the need to repair the belt and motor.
Stagnant vacuum bag-If you forget to replace or empty the vacuum bag or the dustbin of the vacuum cleaner, lots of dust and debris accumulate over time leading to a foul smell. The accumulation of dust particles and various forms of debris inside the vacuum bag favors the bacteria and mold growth causing the vacuum cleaner to become smelly.
Lack of regular maintenance-If you do not follow the routine maintenance regime of the vacuum cleaner which includes emptying dustbins, cleaning the filters, and detecting any potential clogs, then there are high chances your vacuum cleaner will emit a foul smell. You may also notice a decline in the performance of your device if you do not properly maintain it.
Lingering Odors from Vacuumed Materials-When the vacuumed materials themselves have strong odors or moistures in them, and certain residues are left inside your vacuum cleaner you may experience persistent smells. When the previously vacuumed materials are not properly cleaned they emit lingering odors and every time you use the vacuum cleaner you might experience an unpleasing smell.
How to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner-What can I put in my vacuum to make it smell better?
To remove any unwanted odor from your vacuum cleaner and make it smell fresh, you should try the following options,
Essential oils- You can add a few drops of essential oil to a tissue or cotton ball and place it inside your vacuum cleaner’s bag to experience a lingering and refreshing fragrance
Baking soda- You can also use baking soda to remove the unpleasant odor from your vacuum cleaner. Sprinkle a little amount of baking soda in the dustbin or vacuum bag to get rid of unpleasing smells coming from your vacuum cleaner
Scented vacuum discs or beads-There are different types of scented vacuum discs available in the market which you can place in the dustbin or vacuum bag to neutralize odors.
Scented dryer sheets-You can also tape a fragrant dryer sheet in the dustbin or vacuum bag of your vacuum cleaner to neutralize odors.
But before that be sure to go through the manual of your vacuum cleaner to prevent any damage as many vacuum cleaner models are sensitive to fragrant items.
How to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner-How to clean your vacuum?
The step-by-step guide to cleaning your vacuum cleaner is listed below,
- Unplug the vacuum cleaner from the power socket and make sure that the electric supply is off.
- Empty the dustbin of the vacuum cleaner fully or replace the vacuum bag following the user manual to hinder bacterial growth.
- Clean and remove the vacuum filters like HEPA filter or replace them if necessary, according to the manufacturer’s guidelines as you need to change filters usually each 3 months .
- Clean the brush roll from any entangled pet hair or fiber so that they don’t rot and smell.
- Check the attachments and pipes of the vacuum cleaner to remove any obstructions or clogs to support effective vacuum cleaning.
- You can clean the external surface of the vacuum cleaner with a slightly damp cloth to remove loose dirt and dust and don’t forget to fully air-dry it.
- Inspect and clean the wheels of the vacuum cleaner so that no debris or pet hair get stuck in the wheels hindering optimal performance.
- You can remove the odor of the vacuum cleaner using baking soda or essential oils or fragrant sachets available in the market after going through the user manual.
- Ventilate and air-dry the vacuum cleaner leaving no residue of moisture which can lead to a foul smell.
- Store the vacuum cleaner properly in a dry and cool place and avoid direct sunlight to ensure its longeveity.
How to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner-HOW OFTEN TO CLEAN A VACUUM?
How often you clean your vacuum cleaner depends on the model you are using and whether you are using the device frequently or on special occasions only. Go through the user manual of your vacuum cleaner to get correct information on the maintenance routine of your vacuum cleaner. You should replace or empty the vacuum bag or the dustbin according to the capacity of your vacuum or when it is half full.
On average the regular maintenance routine should be set at an interval of every 3-6 months when you clean the external and internal surfaces of the vacuum cleaner with a slightly damp cloth and look for any potential damage or leaks.
How to keep a vacuum cleaner smelling fresh in 2024? How To Prevent Bad Odors in Your Vacuum
To prevent unpleasant odors in your vacuum and know about how to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner, you should,
- Clean the vacuum filters regularly– You should replace or wipe the vacuum filters with a slightly damp cloth to prevent unpleasant odors from lingering in your vacuum cleaner.
- Empty the dustbin regularly– The common vacuum cleaning mistake that you should avoid to preserve optimal vacuum performance and prevent the formation of odor is not emptying the vacuum bag or dustbin regularly.
- Vacuum only dry debris-Try your best not to vacuum damp debris which often leads to bacterial growth and musty odors.
- Use fragrant items– You can place an air fresher inside your vacuum cleaner by attaching it to the vacuum filter or the vacuum bag to make your living room fragrant.
- Ventilate the vacuum-You should make sure to air-dry the internal surfaces of your vacuum cleaner after cleaning and emptying the dustbin to prevent the generation of odors.
- Clean the vacuum brush rolls– Regularly entangle the brush roll from fibers and pet hairs so that they do not rot and emit foul smells.
- Store your vacuum properly-You should store your vacuum cleaner in a well-ventilated and dry area to hinder the growth of mold and mildew that emit a foul smell.
- Professional Maintenance-If your vacuum cleaner smells even after an extensive cleaning routine, then it is recommended to go through the user manual and consult with the customer care service.
- Inspecting the Belt– Rubbery vacuum belts can generate an odor when they get worn out and after getting heated for a considerable time, they emit smells so replace the vacuum belt accordingly.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are thinking about how to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner in 2024 then keep in mind to clean the vacuum filters regularly, empty the dustbin regularly, vacuum only dry debris, use fragrant items, ventilate the vacuum, clean the vacuum brush rolls, store your vacuum properly, inspect the belt and lastly seek professional maintenance, if your vacuum cleaner smells even after an extensive cleaning routine.
Now you know how to fix a smelly vacuum cleaner don’t wait to give your a fragrant living room by using your preferred vacuum cleaner model.
FAQs
WHAT VACUUM CLEANING MISTAKES SHOULD I AVOID?
The common vacuum cleaning mistakes that you should avoid to preserve optimal vacuum performance and ensure its long life are overloading the vacuum without considering its capacity, rushing through the vacuum cleaning sessions, using the wrong attachments for your vacuum, skipping the maintenance routine and not checking blockages, not emptying the vacuum bag or dustbin regularly.
Can I clean the inside of my vacuum? How do I make my vacuum work like new?
Yes, you should clean regularly the inside of your vacuum to preserve its optimal performance ensure its long life, and make it work like new. By disconnecting the device, you should replace or empty the vacuum bag, remove all dust and debris, clean filters for proper airflow, clean the brush roll by removing all entangled fibers and pet hairs, and lastly, you can use a slightly damp cloth to wipe away dirt from the internal surfaces like the attachments and hose. Make sure to completely dry the vacuum cleaner before reinstalling as no residue of moisture should be left inside.
Can I put essential oils in my vacuum?
Yes, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a tissue or cotton ball and place it inside your vacuum cleaner’s dustbin bag to experience a lingering and refreshing fragrance. But before that be sure to go through the manual of your vacuum cleaner to prevent any damage as many vacuum cleaner models are sensitive to essential oils.
Can you put an air freshener in a vacuum cleaner?
Yes, you can place an air fresher inside your vacuum cleaner by attaching it to the vacuum filter or the vacuum bag to make your living room fragrant. When you will use the vacuum cleaner you will experience a pleasing fragrance in your living room lifting your mood.
Why does my vacuum smell fishy?
If your vacuum cleaner is emitting a fishy smell, then it must be due to the growth of mold or bacteria. To remove the smell, you should clean or replace the dustbin, replace or wash the vacuum filter, and entangle the brush roll from debris, fibers and pet hairs. Also, after the cleaning session, make sure to completely dry the vacuum cleaner before reinstalling as no residue of moisture should be left inside.
How do you get the musty smell out of a vacuum filter?
To remove the musty smell from the vacuum cleaner, you should clean or replace the dustbin, replace or wash the vacuum filter, and entangle the brush roll from any sort of debris, fibers and pet hairs. Also, after the cleaning session, make sure to completely dry the vacuum cleaner before reinstalling as no residue of moisture should be left inside.
Can you use vinegar to clean the vacuum?
Yes, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water in equal proportions to clean certain areas of your vacuum cleaner like the brush rolls, vacuum filters, and vacuum bags. However, before using vinegar to clean your vacuum, you must go through the user manual of your device as it might harm certain vacuum cleaner models.
Why does my Shark vacuum smell? How do I stop my Dyson vacuum from smelling?
To eliminate odors from your Shark or Dyson vacuum, abide by the regular cleaning routine, empty or replace the vacuum bag, clean or change the filter, and free the hose and brush roll from any trapped debris. Also, after the cleaning session, make sure to completely dry the vacuum cleaner before reinstalling as no residue of moisture should be left inside.
Why does my vacuum smell when I turn it on?
If your vacuum cleaner emits a foul smell, then there are trapped pet hair, fibers, debris, or other organic residues in the brush roll, vacuum filter, or dustbin of your vacuum cleaner. Arrange a thorough cleaning session by cleaning these components and replacing or emptying the vacuum bag or dustbin bag, replacing the vacuum filer and checking the brush roll if it is entangled with pet hair, and lastly using baking soda or air freshener to remove the unpleasant odor from your vacuum cleaner.
Why does my vacuum smell like poop?
If your vacuum cleaner smells like poop, then there are trapped pet hair, fibers, debris, or other organic residues in the brush roll, vacuum filter, or dustbin of your vacuum cleaner. Arrange a thorough cleaning session by cleaning these components and replacing or emptying the vacuum bag or dustbin bag lastly use baking soda or air freshener to remove the unpleasant odor from your vacuum cleaner.
For the past five years, I’ve been engaged as an SEO content writer, specializing in crafting engaging blog posts. My focus lies in meticulously exploring and evaluating household cleaning appliances, particularly those integrated with cutting-edge and emerging technologies.