Friday, January 18, 2013

Remove the Smell from Your Vacuum

How to clean your vacuum.
Or just give your vacuum a good scrubbing. Because I have a dog that sheds like crazy, I vacuum almost daily and our vacuum after a while begins to smell. You know you turn on the vacuum and you smell your stinky dog. 
I figured out long ago I really had to scrub the vacuum to get rid of the odor.

First, if you have a canister type like mine, take it all apart. I could never get this filter clean with scrubbing or running water so I decided to wash it in the washer. I fill with hot water and detergent and let it run on a gentle cycle. Really does a great job.


Just run it through a whole cycle and rinse.

 Then I put the pieces out to dry completely in the sun. The next time I use the vacuum, I don't smell the dog anymore.

Also here is a tip. If you have a bag type vacuum you can toss a fabric softener sheet into the bag and it will help with the dog smell.

19 comments:

  1. Oh great idea! I am not certain if mine comes apart like that, but I sure need to take a look and try. THREE dogs in the house here. Blech at the smelly vacuum.

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  2. Hi Elaine,
    Love this post because I do the same thing. Vacuums do get smelly. It works wonderful to freshen the vacuum. The sunshine gives it a hung on the line scent too.
    Thank you for sharing and thank you for stopping by and your kind comment.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  3. great tip - I would never have thought to put it in the washer. And with 2 dogs, I know what you mean about that "smell."

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  4. Thank you for the great tip! I have two dogs and I know exactly what you mean.

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  5. I have the SAME problem!! I run the vacuum and it smells like dog and it drives me crazy....I do not have a canister but you have inspired me to clean mine.

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  6. That's a great tip! I have my husband blow all the parts of my vaccuum out with his air compressor. Gets all the dust out of the hoses and insides.

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  7. Guess what? We used to have a dog
    and blamed that smell on him, and now we have no dog, and we have
    a different vacuum cleaner and it smells the same, so think it was the dust and dirt all along..........
    I was shocked! and poor lil Zippy
    got all the blame!!
    Will try the dryer sheet idea for sure. Thanks,
    Blessings, Nellie

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  8. I use the fabric softener sheets in mine.
    : ) Kris

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  9. My upright filter comes with a febreeze scent, when I purchase new. Which by the way I am way over due for! Good tip though!

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  10. Oh wow! That is a great idea. I don't have a vacuum like that...but I do have a bag type...I just change the bag. I also don't have dogs...but 'musty' is 'musty' , right?

    Pat

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  11. I have 2 vacuums...one cannister and one upright and they stink to high heaven because of the dogs!
    I guess I thought it was only me...thank you so much...I hope I can get them apart and then I hope I can get them back together again! LOL!

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  12. Great tips to remember, thanks. Cindy

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  13. I never knew to this but I worked on our Dyson this morning. Our filter is different and it says ln it to wash every 6 months. I washed it and took apart the whole canister and washed it too. Thanks for the great tip.
    But now I am wondering what else in my home is filthy and I don't know it.

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  14. I have a bag type vacuum and I love the idea of putting a dryer sheet into the bag. Mine stinks and I bet that would help.
    Thanks for the idea.
    KC

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  15. My vacuum is also the bag type. Never thought of the dryer sheet either. I remember the days of my vacuum smelling like dog...we don't have one anymore....we have a cat, which does mean cat hair though!

    Thanks for linking up and sharing, Elaine!

    Have a great week!
    Tammy

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  16. Thats a great idea. I need to break mine down and scrub it really good soon! Thank you for sharing at TTF. Have a fun day!

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  17. I'll have to try this! Found you via Tammy. ~Christina

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  18. Great idea! Thanks for sharing at Simple & Sweet Fridays!

    Jody

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  19. Great tip! I've never cleaned the filter on my vacuum.

    Thanks for linking up to Motivation Monday!!

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