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Vacuuming your home can seem like a chore. But at least at the end of it, you can sit back and relax in a cleaner and fresher environment, right?
Well, most of the time, it’s true. But sometimes, even the the best vacuum cleaner it can surprise you with an unpleasant aroma. Worse yet, you may inadvertently spill over your plans, leaving you worse off than when you started.
“We know that overtime unpleasant odors can build up in vacuum cleaners, especially if you’re a family with pets,” says UK managing director Tracey Scully. SharkNinja. “But a smelly vacuum does not mean that your home is unclean: it’s just that the regular collection of hair, dust and dander can cause bad odors to build up in it.”
In this article, we will take some expert advice on what causes the smell of vacuum cleaners, and how to avoid them. These are all solutions you can try yourself, at home – if none of these things work, professional service may be necessary.
Cause #1: Bin full
The most common reason that a vacuum starts to smell, says Sophie Lane, product training manager at Honeyis that you have not emptied your bag or bin regularly. “If the dirt and debris inside is not removed in a timely manner, it will persist over time, disintegrating and causing unpleasant odors,” he explains. This can be especially true if you collect a lot of pet hair.
Solution: Empty the bin regularly
To prevent this from happening, Scully recommends emptying the vacuum after each use. “This prevents the soil from sitting there too long and creating an odor,” he explains.
If you don’t want to be bothered with this, some new vacuum cleaners come with a self-emptying base, or you can opt for a bagged vacuum – but we’ll go into this in more detail in the Maybe you just need a new vacuum section.
Cause #2: Clogged filter
You also need to pay attention to the vacuum filters. “These trap dust and particles, but over time they can become clogged or dirty,” Lane points out. “If they are not cleaned or replaced regularly, they can develop odors. Especially if they trap allergens, mold spores or fine dust.”
Solution: Clean or replace the filters
Dyson engineer, Geli Lee recommends cleaning the filters once a month. If you have one of the the best Dyson vacuum cleanersthe LCD screen will appear with a reminder when it’s time to clean your filter.
Owning pets means you want to clean or replace vacuum cleaner filters especially regularly; not only does it prevent odors, but it also ensures that your vacuum cleaner continues to perform at its best.
Geli also warns that odors in vacuum cleaners can be caused by the accumulation of bacteria during the drying process. “To avoid it, try to speed up drying by placing the washed filter in a well-ventilated area or near an open window. Shaking and rotating also helps.” (Here’s more on that how to clean a dyson cordless vacuum cleaner.)
After all, if the smell persists, it may be time to replace the filter. In short, regular care and filter replacement are key to keeping your vacuum cleaner odor free.
Cause #3: Trapped dirt or pet hair
Outside the bin and the filter, there are a number of places where animal hair and soil can collect and lead to an accumulation of odors. Here’s a quick rundown of what to do to get your vacuum cleaner working:
Solution: Detangle the brushroll
Over time, hair, string, and debris can wrap around the roller, preventing it from spinning properly and causing a build-up that contributes to both the musty smell and reduced suction.
To clean your brushroll, start by unplugging the vacuum cleaner and remove the brushroll according to the manual of the vacuum. Use scissors or a seam ripper to carefully cut away any tangled hair or threads, then wipe the roll with a damp cloth to remove any lingering dust.
Some soft brushrolls – like the Roll Floorhead Fluffy on the newest Dyson vacuum cleaners – are designed to be removed and washed completely. Double check the user manual before doing this; it is not suitable for all floors.
Solution: Clean the tube and accessories
Disconnect the hose and inspect for blockages by running a broom handle or flexible brush to remove trapped debris. You can also wash the hose with warm soapy water, although you need to make sure it is thoroughly dry before reattaching.
The smell can also come from attachments such as crevice tool and dusting brush. These can be washed in hot soapy water to remove any dirt build-up. Again, make sure they are completely dry before using again.
Solution: Try baking soda
Unfortunately, with the most persistent odors, even if you clean your vacuum cleaner from top to bottom, they can still stubbornly stay inside. In this case, sprinkling baking soda (US) / bicarbonate of soda (UK) on the floor and vacuuming can help absorb persistent odors in the machine. This is a natural deodorizer, and it is a simple way to neutralize the odors trapped in the vacuum.
Cause #3: Mold or mildew
Another danger that Lane identifies is when a vacuum is used to deal with spills, or damp dirt. “Moisture in the vacuum can lead to the growth of mold or mildew,” he explains. “This is a common problem in vacuum cleaners used to clean wet areas or when wet items are accidentally vacuumed.”
For pet owners, vacuum smells are often intensified. “If you have pets, their hair can get trapped in the vacuum, leading to a strong smell,” Lane continues. “Wet pet hair, in particular, can create an environment conducive to the growth of mold or mildew in the vacuum.”
Solution: Detergent or vinegar solution
If you suspect that mold or mildew is causing the smell, we recommend cleaning the affected parts with a simple detergent or vinegar. Again, make sure the vacuum is completely dry before using it again.
Prevention is better than cure, however. “So I advise you to avoid cleaning wet messes with a standard vacuum, unless your vacuum cleaner has a ‘wet and dry’ function,” says Scully. (For more on this, read our article What does a wet and dry vacuum cleaner do? or head to our guide to the the best wet and dry vacuum cleaners).
Cause #4: Mechanical problem (burning smell)
So far we have focused on smells that are just unpleasant. But a burning smell is not only unpleasant: it is a sure sign of danger. Here are the key things to do:
- Turn it off immediately, and unplug it if it’s wired
- Check for blockages in the hose, brush, bin inlet and filter
- Inspect the belt for signs of wear, breaks or misalignment
- Examine the engine (or have a professional do it)
- Get the vacuum service
Cause #5: You need a new vacuum
While an odor by itself does not require replacing the entire machine, if your vacuum had already reached the end of its life, there are certain features and add-ons to look for in a new machine that can help prevents odors. .
Vacuum cleaners in bags
If you know that you regularly deal with dust and dirt that are prone to odors (for example, if it has a lot of animal hair), it is worth thinking about whether you go for a bagged or bagless vacuum cleaner .
“While bagless vacuums can be messy to empty, bagged vacuums allow for easy, clean and hygienic emptying, containing dust, dirt and allergens, and often provide a larger capacity for a month of cleaning” , says Teya Field, product manager. in order Henry. “Bag vacuums also protect the vacuum motor from exposure to dust, extending the machine’s performance and life.” (For more on this, see our exploration article because a bag vacuum cleaner can be a good choiceoh our bagged versus bagless vacuum cleaner comparison).
In addition to being useful for containing odors, bag vacuum cleaners can be a good choice for those with allergies, because there is less chance for allergens to escape back into the air when you empty the bin. “When it comes to pet owners and those of us susceptible to allergens, bagged vacuums are perfect,” believes Teya.
Just self-empty
The level from this is to go for a vacuum with a self-empty base. These are still quite rare on the market, but the newest ones are the best Shark vacuum cleanersas well as Shark Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner and PowerDetect cordless vacuum cleaner all come with a compatible self-emptying dock.
When you put the vacuum on the dock for charging, it will suck all the dust from the bin, via a sealed system, into a much larger bag at the base. This also means that you don’t have to remember to manually empty the bin after each use.
Special filters
Many of the the best pet hair vacuum cleaners it comes with advanced filtration systems, which trap even the smallest particles and allergens, and help control bad odors by filtering the air as it passes through the machine.
“For those looking to reduce lingering pet odors, we recommend vacuum cleaners with a carbon-activated filter,” says Teya. Carbon filters absorb and neutralize odors (similar to the anti-odor features found in some the best air purifiers); they can be found in the Henry Pet and Harry models, as well as in many Miele vacuum cleaners.
Scented pods / deodorant pucks
In addition to odor-absorbing filters, some vacuum brands offer separate solutions to potential odors. Some Henry vacuum cleaners have the option for scented pods to freshen your home while you clean – for example, the cordless. Henry Quick range.
Meanwhile, shark Vacuum cleaners have recently introduced a special puck designed to neutralize bad odors directly at the source. Its Odor Neutralizer technology (known as Anti-Odour technology in the UK) is specially designed to tackle potential odors in the dust cup. Read more about these in our guide to the most popular Shark vacuum technologies.
