How Can I Stop My Vacuum Cleaner Smelling??

[Gypsy & Me]

Everytime I use it it makes the room smell like dog. I only have two Yorkies and yet the hoover makes my house smell like I have 30 Alsations in my house, (nothing wrong with Alsations btw, it was just the first long haired coat shedding dog I could think of). The hoover is only a month and a half old too so it's not even old and it's been smelling like this for about a month, it's that bad I'm really reluctant to use and when I do I have to use an air freshner throughout the house and I'm talking like 1/3 of a can just get rid of the smell! I've used disinfectant in the canister, (it's a bagless) and I've ran both filters through a hand wash and a high temperature wash in the washing machine... no difference!!! I've cleaned the carpets in my house and regularly do so I'm pretty sure it's not picking up the nasty smell out the carpet because that doesn't smell.

Any ideas?? I hate to think my house stinks like dog when people walk in!!

[maxmom]

The only thing I can think of, it's to call their customer service number, anything else(air spray and washing the filter) would be just a band aid on a cut, they should be able to solve this for you, at this point and after it has been used, the store wont take it back.Good luck

[kezza]

I had the same problem with my bagless cylinder hoover..I put a bit of nice fragranced washing powder in mine..or you could use that 'shake & Vac' stuff! works for me!

[Nancy1999]

You know those products that you sprinkle on carpets, to freshen them? Well. instead of sprinkling it on the carpet, you can just put some of the product in the canister, it really does smell good when you turn on the vacuum. I didn't like to use it on the carpet, because I wasn't sure all of it was coming up, but I like the smell in the vacuum. Another thing that works pretty good is a dryer softner sheet. You can also spray the filters with Febreze.

[browniesmom622]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

You know those products that you sprinkle on carpets, to freshen them? Well. instead of sprinkling it on the carpet, you can just put some of the product in the canister, it really does smell good when you turn on the vacuum. I didn't like to use it on the carpet, because I wasn't sure all of it was coming up, but I like the smell in the vacuum. Another thing that works pretty good is a dryer softner sheet. You can also spray the filters with Febreze.

Yep this is what we did with the carpet powder.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by maxmom

The only thing I can think of, it's to call their customer service number, anything else(air spray and washing the filter) would be just a band aid on a cut, they should be able to solve this for you, at this point and after it has been used, the store wont take it back.Good luck

I could try asking them... anything is worth a try.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by kezza

I had the same problem with my bagless cylinder hoover..I put a bit of nice fragranced washing powder in mine..or you could use that 'shake & Vac' stuff! works for me!

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

You know those products that you sprinkle on carpets, to freshen them? Well. instead of sprinkling it on the carpet, you can just put some of the product in the canister, it really does smell good when you turn on the vacuum. I didn't like to use it on the carpet, because I wasn't sure all of it was coming up, but I like the smell in the vacuum. Another thing that works pretty good is a dryer softner sheet. You can also spray the filters with Febreze.

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

Yep this is what we did with the carpet powder.

I tried the "Shake & Vac", (carpet powder), and I ended up with a revolting smell of dog and oranges!

I didn't think of a dryer sheet or Febreeze... I guess both of them are worth a try. I'll wash the canister again with some strong smelling disinfectant, I have some Green Apple scented stuff that I use in my bathroom and it keeps the bathroom smelling like apples for a good 3 days. If I use that and then maybe add some more to some boiling water and leave it in the canister over night with the lid loosely on and hand wash the fliters and put them in too that might do something. Do you think? Then tomorrow dry it and put a dryer sheet in there and spray the fliters. If that doesn't work then I have NO idea!

[AngelWorks]

I use put a few drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball and stick it in the canister of my dyson.

[BubblPopElectrc]

I have no idea but I just wanted to say that hoover sounds so much cuter then vacuum cleaner.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by AngelWorks

I use put a few drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball and stick it in the canister of my dyson.

Ohhh, good idea!!! I knew I could count on YT'ers for some ideas!

Originally Posted by BubblPopElectrc

I have no idea but I just wanted to say that hoover sounds so much cuter then vacuum cleaner.

LOL Kyle... I had to put vacuum cleaner as the title incase you all didn't know what I was talking about! I hate being british, I feel like I need translator half the time just to speak the same language!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

I tried the "Shake & Vac", (carpet powder), and I ended up with a revolting smell of dog and oranges!

I didn't think of a dryer sheet or Febreeze... I guess both of them are worth a try. I'll wash the canister again with some strong smelling disinfectant, I have some Green Apple scented stuff that I use in my bathroom and it keeps the bathroom smelling like apples for a good 3 days. If I use that and then maybe add some more to some boiling water and leave it in the canister over night with the lid loosely on and hand wash the fliters and put them in too that might do something. Do you think? Then tomorrow dry it and put a dryer sheet in there and spray the fliters. If that doesn't work then I have NO idea!

Forget the boiling water and disinfectants; they won't do much for removing odors. Vinegar, or baking soda are both neutralizers. You can use either to get rid of smells. Not both at the same time or you will have a little volcano on your hands. Which ever you have, place a good amount into the canister and fill with water letting it sit over night. This will rid the canister of the old smells, but if you are continuing to pick up new smells, I would suggest the carpet powders. Some of the powders work better than others. Some have neutralizers in them that will neutralize certain odors, and one specifically says neutralizer and it's meant for pet odors. I would really look into that one for the best results. The dryer sheet gives a nice fresh scent, but I don't think it will eliminate the bad odor and that's what you want to do. See this link: Carpet Fresh Products: Carpet Fresh Powder - Neutra Air for Pets. I think this is the brand I'm thinking about, but I know Target sells one brand that says it does this.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by AngelWorks

I use put a few drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball and stick it in the canister of my dyson.

This is exactly what I do and it is fantastic. Even people who don't have any odor problem should give it a try- you can smell it while you vacuum and it make the chore a little more pleasant plus most essential oils will clean the air as well.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Forget the boiling water and disinfectants; they won't do much for removing odors. Vinegar, or baking soda are both neutralizers. You can use either to get rid of smells. Not both at the same time or you will have a little volcano on your hands. Which ever you have, place a good amount into the canister and fill with water letting it sit over night. This will rid the canister of the old smells, but if you are continuing to pick up new smells, I would suggest the carpet powders. Some of the powders work better than others. Some have neutralizers in them that will neutralize certain odors, and one specifically says neutralizer and it's meant for pet odors. I would really look into that one for the best results. The dryer sheet gives a nice fresh scent, but I don't think it will eliminate the bad odor and that's what you want to do. See this link: Carpet Fresh Products: Carpet Fresh Powder - Neutra Air for Pets. I think this is the brand I'm thinking about, but I know Target sells one brand that says it does this.

I've used a product that is the UK version, Shake & Vac, and I also regularly clean the carpet with a proper carpet cleaner and a pet stain and odor neutraliser shampoo. All the downstairs carpets are cleaned at least once a month and accidents are cleared straight away because I have a baby who has just started crawling. That's why I can't understand why the hoover is picking up this smell.

I didn't know about the vinegar though, I did the baking soda which I don't have, so I'll try that in the canister over night... I smiled at the idea of making a mini volcano!! LOL. Do I use the vinegar with boiling water? I sound like such an idiot not knowing this stuff but I've never had an issue with bad smells in my house and I still don't... just a stinky hoover.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

This is exactly what I do and it is fantastic. Even people who don't have any odor problem should give it a try- you can smell it while you vacuum and it make the chore a little more pleasant plus most essential oils will clean the air as well.

How much do you use on a ball and what scents are good to use that won't leave that sickening smell in the air? I'm going to do this once I've got the smell out the hoover and gone for good so I can leave a nice smell in the air.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

I've used a product that is the UK version, Shake & Vac, and I also regularly clean the carpet with a proper carpet cleaner and a pet stain and odor neutraliser shampoo. All the downstairs carpets are cleaned at least once a month and accidents are cleared straight away because I have a baby who has just started crawling. That's why I can't understand why the hoover is picking up this smell.

I didn't know about the vinegar though, I did the baking soda which I don't have, so I'll try that in the canister over night... I smiled at the idea of making a mini volcano!! LOL. Do I use the vinegar with boiling water? I sound like such an idiot not knowing this stuff but I've never had an issue with bad smells in my house and I still don't... just a stinky hoover.

No need to use boiling water, and this might damage your canister as well. I still think you should look for the Shake & Vac version that says "neutralizer" in it. A neutralizer does something with the actual molecules of air. Most products "cover up" the scent, and this is usually enough, but sometimes a neutralizer is needed. I just wouldn't give up until I tried this.

I can't figure out why it's giving the bad odor, could a belt be burning? Did this ever happen with your last vacuum?