The smell of wet dogs is not a pleasant one, but it’s not necessarily the end of the world. If you notice that your vacuum smells like a wet dog, there are some things that must be going wrong with your machine.
Wet dog smell can permeate your entire house and make your life miserable. It’s important to know what you can do to fight against this issue without breaking the bank or spending hours in the sink/on a carpet!
The article explains why your vacuum smells like a wet dog and gives some solutions to prevent the smell.
Ways to Stop Your Vacuum Smelling Like a Wet Dog
Having a fresh and pleasant-smelling floor is in everybody’s expectation but it becomes impossible when there produced any unpleasant scent from your floor surface or cleaning unit like vacuum cleaners.
6 Ways to Prevent Vacuum Cleaners from Smelling Like Dogs
It is said that prevention is better than cure and when you will keep your vacuum cleaners neat and tidy then they will not spread any bad scent.
So, try to use these 6 odor eliminators to keep your machines fresh-smelling:
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the great items that you can use to keep your vacuum cleaners fresh smelling. This is the best way when it comes to fighting against that smell because the properties of baking soda sodium bicarbonate eliminate any odor creator vanished.
Essential Oils
You can use lemongrass or thyme mixing with water with the help of a spray bottle and spray the mixed preparation to the filters to stop bad-smelling your vacuum again.
Deodorants
Deodorants work not only to mask the human body odor but also it is applicable to a variety of fields such as masking the bad smell from any parts of a vacuum cleaner.
You can spray it to the powerhead or rolling brush after using it and dry it for a while to use the vacuum again without smelling bad.
Fragrant Herbs or Spices
Sprinkle just a tablespoon of cinnamon or lemon verbena to the carpet you are going to vacuum or in the dust bag or dirt bin of the vacuum to get rid of any dog-like smell from a vacuum cleaner.
Fabric Softener Sheets
Put a sheet of fabric softener in the dust bag or bin before using the vacuum to get fresh smelling situations as much as possible.
Air Freshener
Air freshener is the last idea we can give you to keep you separate from foul odor while vacuuming any surface. Air freshener keeps a space smelling good with its appealing fragrances and thus the spoiled scent cannot attack your nose!
4 Ways to clean the Stinky Vacuums
You might not be aware of it, but vacuums often get smelly inside due to dust and dirt. You can avoid this by using the following the suggested 4 ways:
Empty the Dirt Bin Regularly
Vacuums tend to collect dirt from the dust that is generated when you use them. By emptying out the bag and letting it dry completely, you can make sure that your vacuum is clean and ready for use again.
The wet dog smell can be a nuisance and affect the life of your whole family. The odor is not just caused by the dog, but also by other items in your vacuum-like dirt, dust, and pet food.
It’s important to empty the dirt bin of your vacuum often so that the bad smell does not build up. If you don’t empty it regularly, it will become harder for you to clean and make sure that it doesn’t smell like a wet dog.
Clean or Replace the Filters
Clean your vacuum filters regularly after using them otherwise, it is going to disturb you spreading a bad scent like a wet dog whenever you will use them again. One of the best ways in which you can clean your vacuum filters properly is with water.
You may need to replace the filter if it has been struggling to catch enough dirt or filth before it starts to give off an unpleasant odor.
Activated carbon cloths have been proven to be effective in absorbing particles, volatile organic compounds, and other unwanted odors from your vacuum cleaner.
These cloths are also effective at treating mold, mildew, and other types of mites and bacteria that can cause smells in your home.
Check Out and Unclog the Rolling Brush
Check out the brush roll after each time you finish your cleaning job with a vacuum cleaner because there might be clogged long hairs or any other debris that can make the rolling brush sticky. Moreover, the stacked things can cause a bad smell after some time.
So, double-check the clogs in the rolling brush to make the vacuum bad smell-free.
Wash Out the Hose
Pet hair and dust can get stuck in the hose of your pet vacuum cleaner, causing it to smell like a wet dog. Here is a quick and easy way to prevent that from happening.
When you walk your pet, make sure you remove the vacuum cleaner hose before you use it again. This will ensure that the vacuum doesn’t smell like a wet dog when it’s time to clean up!
Causes of Producing Bad Smell from Vacuum Cleaners
Smelling like a wet dog from a vacuum cleaner is a common problem in many households. There are several reasons why your vacuum cleaner smells like a wet dog.
Here are some of the most common causes:
Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on many different types of surfaces. Mold smells like a wet dog when it is located inside the filter or dirtbag of a vacuum cleaner.
It becomes a major concern for homeowners because it can cause health problems including respiratory issues, allergies, asthma, and rashes.
The most common way to remove mold from your vacuum cleaner is by washing the hose and filters using bleach or an oxidizer.
Pet Hair
Dog hair and dirt can get stuck in the filter, which can cause an unpleasant odor in your air. To clean it out, all you need to do is remove the filter and brush off any trapped dirt or dog hair.
Belts Burning
When opening the lid, you will notice a smelly odor coming from their vacuum cleaners. This is because their belts are burning and melting due to the intense heat coming from their motors.
When strong suction power is applied with regular cleaning, it starts melting belts and causing problems such as backfires and smells like wet dogs.
Dust and Debris
A wet dog-like smell is the most common scent we notice when dust and debris are left in the vacuum dirt bin for a period of time. So clean the dust and debris from the vacuum cleaner to be safe from odors like wet dogs.
Motor
If a vacuum cleaner is continuously used then the motor can be overheated and thus it burns internally. And the smell of wet dogs that we typically encounter in our homes due to the fact that they are produced from the burning of internal components like the motors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a wet dog smell is one of the strong smells that most people will try to avoid when it comes from a vacuum cleaner. It is often emitted by following the mentioned tricks and tips.
As you can see, there are many methods that you can use to eliminate the smell. It is important to note that all of the methods may not be perfect but they will help you in dealing with the problem.
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