Avoid bad smells emanating from the vacuum cleaner with a few simple DIY tips

March 31, 2022

When it comes to dusting and cleaning up all the dry dirt that settles on floors, countertops and also home's upholstery, there is nothing as efficient as a vacuum cleaner. They save us time and are able to remove dust, crumbs, dirt, hair and fluff better than many more strenuous, manual methods. Sometimes though, even though they seem to be working at their best, we may find that they give off a bad smell, which becomes a bit counterproductive in the middle of a cleaning session.

Unpleasant odors are always a symptom that something wrong, and therefore it is necessary to take care of the maintenance of the vacuum cleaner. However, there are tips that help ensure that our vacuum cleaner can perfume the house as we use it. Read on to find out more:

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If we smell unpleasant odors coming from the vacuum cleaner, the first thing to do is to turn everything off and check the status of the tanks or collection bags, depending on the model. They will need to be emptied, cleaned or replaced as appropriate. The second thing to do is to check the filters: even these you will need to change or clean, and if you use the vacuum cleaner often, this is something that must be done twice a year.

Sometimes, the part of the appliance in which the bags are housed (if it is a model of this type) gets dirty and if the dirt is not eliminated, it can generate dangerous, odeous molds. So it is a good habit, that every time you change the bag, to clean and sanitize even this area with a soft cloth moistened with hydrogen peroxide (or, failing that, use white vinegar). Furthermore, sanitizing detergents that have a little bleach in them can be used (by spraying it on the cloth in small quantities).

How to perfume the home with a vacuum cleaner

When you are sure that the appliance is clean, you can use various remedies to prevent bad odors from emanating during use.

Throw some baking soda on the floor, or even ground cinnamon if you have any, and let the appliance vacuum it up before moving on to the other surfaces. Similarly, you could use dried and chopped up herb leaves.
If you have sawdust available, you can put some in a dish (or other similar container) and pour in a few drops of essential oil. For molds, the most suitable antidote is tea tree oil, but also balsamic oils such as mint or eucalyptus, or even citrus and fresh scents (lavender is always a good choice) are excellent.
If the vacuum cleaner has bags, when you change them, you can pour 2 or 3 drops of an essential oil directly into them, or dilute them in a little alcohol (ethyl alcohol, or low quality pure vodka) and water in equal parts, and then spray the mixture into the bag.
If the vacuum cleaner has a water tank in which to collect the dirt, you can pour the essential oil in directly there, perhaps increasing the quantities a little (3 or 4 drops).