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Vacuuming your home might feel like a chore.
Well, most of the time, that’s true.
Make sure your filters are totally dry before putting them back in
But sometimes, even thebest vacuum cleanercan surprise you with an unpleasant aroma.
That can be especially true if you’re collecting a lot of pet hair.
“This stops dirt from sitting there for too long and creating a smell,” she explains.
Make sure your filters are totally dry before putting them back in
Cause #2: Clogged filter
You also need to pay attention to your vacuum’s filters.
“If they’re not cleaned or replaced regularly, they can develop odors.
Especially if they trap allergens, mold spores or fine dust.”
Geli also cautions that odors in vacuum cleaners can be caused due to bacteria build-up during the drying process.
Shaking and rotating it helps too."
(Here’s more onhow to clean a Dyson cordless vacuum.)
Flexible hoses and detail tools can harbor forgotten dirt
After all that, if the smell persists, it may be time to replace the filter.
In short, regular care and filter replacement are key to keeping your vacuum odor-free.
To clean your brushroll, start by unplugging the vacuum and removing the brushroll according to your vacuums manual.
Some soft brushrolls like theFluffy Floorhead rolleron newerDysonvacuums are designed to be removed and washed completely.
Do double-check the user manual before doing this though; it’s not suitable for all floorheads.
The smell might also be coming from attachments such as the crevice tool and dusting brush.
Newer Shark vacuums have an auto-empty base
These can be washed in warm, soapy water to remove any dirt buildup.
Again just sure theyre fully dry before using them again.
This is a natural deodorizer, and its a simple way to neutralize smells trapped in the vacuum.
Many Shark vacuums have an odor-neutralizing puck
“Moisture inside the vacuum can lead to mold or mildew growth,” she explains.
For pet owners, vacuum smells are often intensified.
Again, double-check the vacuum is completely dry before using it again.
Prevention is better than cure, though.
But a burning smell isn’t just unpleasant: it’s a sure sign of danger.
“Bagged vacuums also protect the vacuums motor from exposure to dust, prolonging machine performance and life.”
Auto-empty base
The level up from that is to go for a vacuum with an auto-empty base.
This also means you don’t have to remember to manually empty the bin after each use.
Meanwhile,Sharkvacuum cleaners have recently introduced a special puck designed to neutralize bad smells directly at the source.
Read more about these in our guide to the most popularShark vacuum technologies.