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Vacuum cleaners should make your house smell nice, though sometimes a vacuum can take in too much and start to smell foul. If you do not clean your vacuum regularly, you might end up spreading that foul smell all over your house.
It’s best to clean your vacuum cleaner regularly so that you can keep it running well and prevent foul orders from spreading through your home. Here are some useful tips on how to keep your vacuum cleaner smelling fresh.
1. Change the Bag
If you use a vacuum cleaner that has a bag attached, it’s best to change the bags on a regular basis by replacing the old bag with a new one
It’s generally recommended that you change your vacuum bags out at least once or twice a month.
Changing the bags will also help to keep your vacuum running efficiently.
It is also beneficial to clean out your canister-based vacuum cleaner after every use.
You can usually wash out the canister with warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid before replacing it in the vacuum cleaner. This is another way to keep odors at bay.
2. Look for Blockages
Occasionally it is best to look for blockages in your vacuum. There could be a clog that is causing the room to smell when you use your vacuum.
Be sure to unplug your vacuum from its power source and inspect your vacuum for any possible blockages.
You would be surprised with all of the pet hair, dander, dust, and other substances that can clog a vacuum fast.
When hot air is discharged from the vacuum, harsh smells can get in the air as well.
Once you have removed all blockages from the vacuum, remember to change the filter, and get the vacuum back into working order. The new filter is great for reducing allergens in the air. You can also wipe it down with a lemon disinfectant cloth to clean it and help it smell better.
3. Fragrant Herbs and Spices
Another great idea for bagged vacuums is to add some naturally fragrant herbs and spices to your vacuum bags.
You can add vanilla or floral perfumes to a cotton ball or small piece of cloth and add it to your vacuum to lightly freshen any room in your home.
Holiday cookie scents like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and peppermint add something extra to the home, especially around the holidays.
You can also add dried lavender or rose petals to your vacuum bags to give your home a rich floral scent.
Dried orange or lemon peels are also excellent to deodorize a room while vacuuming. Basically, any scent that you find appealing will work when added to your vacuum bags.
4. Add Baking Soda to the Bag
Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer. Try adding a few tablespoons with your favorite essential oil to your vacuum bags. You can also add baking soda to your bag by itself, as it is great for eliminating odors.
5. Fabric Softeners for Your Vacuum
Another way to deodorize your home and keep your vacuum cleaner smelling fresh is to cut a fabric softener into squares and put them in the vacuum bag.
If you have a plastic canister vacuum, you can drop a fabric softener in there as well.
Each time the vacuum is turned on, it will activate the fragrance in the dryer sheet and release the scent.
Another great idea is to add some fabric softener fragrance beads to the vacuum bag. These also smell wonderful and fresh throughout the house. You can also spread some around your carpet and allow the scent to flow throughout your room, wait for 15 – 20 minutes, and vacuum them up.
Use care when removing the roller because of the connected belt. Slide it off without damaging it with excessive stretching.
6. Change Your Filter
It’s important to change the filter on your vacuum. The filter works to remove dust, particles, dirt, and allergens from the air, and it is recommended that you keep your filters clean and change them at least every three to four months.
This helps to keep down colds, flus, and allergies. It is also a very necessary step to take if someone in your home suffers from respiratory problems.
In addition, it’s also good to look at the product manual that came with your vacuum to ensure you are getting the right filter if you need to buy another one.
It also may have a specific timeframe that specifies when to change the filter on your particular vacuum model.
What You Will Need
To keep your vacuum smelling fresh, you will need to get some new vacuum bags, or if you have a canister vacuum, it’s good to wash out the canister with a mild detergent and warm water.
Stock up on your favorite herbs and spices for an aromatherapy experience. You can even save orange or lemon peels, roast them in the oven to dry them, and pop them into your vacuum bag.
Baking soda can work wonders in deodorizing your vacuum cleaner. It works in the refrigerator, and basically, almost anywhere you need to keep the air fresh.
Fabric softeners like the dryer sheets or even the scent beads work wonderfully to keep the vacuum smelling fresh.
Keeping a few extra vacuum filters on hand can also keep your vacuum running properly and help with keeping dirt and dust to a minimum.
There are many ways to keep your vacuum cleaner smelling fresh and clean and working efficiently. Common sense tips like changing the bags and the filters can help freshen the air in your home and maintain the life of your vacuum cleaner.
It’s your home, and you can find the scents you really love and add them to your vacuum cleaner bag or canister. Even if you have a favorite perfume or essential oil, simply add the scent to a cotton ball and throw it in the vacuum bag or canister to create a personalized fragrance that lingers throughout your home.
During the holidays, consider adding a little spice to your vacuum cleaner by adding dried cloves, cinnamon, or even nutmeg.
Keeping the air clean and fresh in your home will make it feel like an amazingly cozy retreat.
