My Hoover upright vacuum cleaner stinks when I use it. I have put in a new bag and I have also used baking soda in the bag thinking that might help, but it hasn't. What's going on with it? Got any ideas on what I can do?
VACUUMS STINK OVER TIME BECAUSE OF THE BACTERIA IN THE DUST INSIDE EVERY NOOK AND CRANY OF YOUR VACUUMS! You Must "COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE!" Your vacuum every six months and "WASH" every part inside and out with soap water bleach and an old toothbrush, EXCEPT THE MOTOR! Wipe the blades that are part of the motor itself with a damp rag. put some soap water bleach and a small rag into the hoses and plug the ends of hoses with anything!, rubber balls, corks anything to keep the water in and swish, swish, swish, off and on for several hours depending on how dirty your vacume is. RINSE EVERYTHING WELL. "LET THE ENTIRE VACUUM DRY SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE REASSEMBLING.!"
Don't lose the screws down the drain and draw yourself a diagram of how you took it apart if your not sure you can remember how to put it back together. I like clorox cleanup in the spray bottle and a cleaning product called Awesome. I only find awesome at dollar stores and via the internet. BEFORE YOU START CLEAN IT. "UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM!" You can do it! Have fun! Look at it this way, if you don't try to do this, your going to end up throwing it away anyways. So just go for it!
I have 2 vacuums that stink, an old Simplicity and an old Kenmore. I have a very hairy dog who sheds profusely. I'm not ready to pay for a Dyson yet so I am trying to make do with what I have. Thanks for the deodorizer tablet info, I didn't know there was such a thing.
Good the smell be from the rubber belt burning on the rotating bristles getting ready to burst? My old vacuum (Kirby) did this before the belt broke and man did it stink BADLY and for quite a long time too!
I have had this problem at a customers house and I would lightly spray the vacuum bag with a air freshener. This worked good for me.Then when it was time to replace the bag I had done it with the new bag too.
I don't know if you have animals but, if you do it's the animal hair. I had that problem and didn't know what was causing it. One day I mention it to my brother. He said it was the dog hair. He went to Sears and got some deodorant tablets for vacuum cleaners. I don't remember the name. But believe me it works. No more stinking vacuum. I looked for the package, couldn't find it. I remember the cost was $2.50 for 4 tablets. I'm sure other places must have something like that. Sorry to be so long winded :)
Sometimes if you have a dog your vacuum will stink, even if the dog does not. I don't know how to fix it, but at least if you have a dog, you know what the source is.
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Request: My Vacuum Cleaner Stinks
Archived on 01/30/2008
My sister and her husband are moving to Kuwait and have been clearing out. She very kindly gave me a Dysan vacuum cleaner, which works like a dream - unfortunately it stinks! I have washed all the parts I can. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Trish Maley from London, England
Answers:
RE: My Vacuum Cleaner Stinks
My suggestion would be to sprinkle cinnamon or cloves in the container/bag where the dust goes. this will not only make the room smell good but should eliminate the odor of the vacuum.
Joy from Culbertson , MT (07/20/2006)
Or get some of that good smelling stuff that you sprinkle on the carpet, just in case the smell is further down, before you get to the place that collects the dirt. I think that one is a plastic container and you must have already washed that part? I can't imagine what else you could do.
the geni from IL. (07/20/2006)
Could the smell be coming from the bristles? Did your sister have pets that she vacuumed after? Try sprinkling baking soda on your carpet and vacuuming it up. This should help deodorize the entire unit.
You could also call Dysan and ask what they suggest. (07/21/2006)
By Cheryl from Missouri
RE: My Vacuum Cleaner Stinks
When my vacuum started to stink, I washed all the filters, let them dry, then sprayed them with Febreeze and let dry again. Worked great. On another occasion, for a quick fix, I put a Bounce dryer sheet into the canister. (07/21/2006)
Oh, I love, love, love my Dyson. My carpets and floors have NEVER been this clean. Wish I would've bought it two vacuum cleaners ago! Anyway, sounds like you've probably wiped out and around the cyclone pack canister, but did you check the blue filter? Dysons have a washable lifetime filter located in the top of the cyclone pack. Once you release the cyclone from the vacuum, there is another button located near the tools on the opposite side. When you press this button it will flip open and there is a blue filter in a yellow cage. Hand wash both of these in cold water only (not hot!!) until the water runs clear ... but don't use any type of detergent or soap. Don't put the filter in the dishwasher, washing machine, microwave oven, dryer or anything like that!! You should do this at least every 6 months or more often depending on your usage. You'll have to dry the filter fully for at least 12 hours before putting it back on the vacuum. (07/21/2006)
This could be caused by someone (unknowingly) picking up a trace of water with the vacuum. What you can end up with over time is a bacterial growth inside the unit. Try spraying a small quantity of Lysol (not too much) in the hose with the vacuum running. If you have any filters spray them as well (vacuum off of course). It worked for me. (08/15/2006)
