How to Make Your Vacuum Cleaner Smell Good

Generally, vacuuming keeps your home smelling fresh. The vacuum sucks up dirt, food particles and other debris that can lead to unpleasant smells. But just as any appliance can get old, your vacuum can lose some of its effectiveness over time. This can lead to it smelling musty or otherwise unappealing. With regular maintenance and a few freshening tips, you can have your vacuum cleaner smelling good again in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum bags
• Vacuum filters
• Perfume pads
• Cloth
• Cinnamon
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Wipe the exterior of your vacuum cleaner with a damp cloth. This will remove dust and other debris that has accumulated on it.

2. Replace your vacuum's bag. If you have disposable bags, aim to replace them every 2 to 3 months. If your vacuum has a washable cloth bag, clean it thoroughly. If it has a non-washable cloth bag, replace it with a brand new bag.

3. Wash the inside of a bag-less vacuum's debris compartment with soap and water. Since all the debris is going into this compartment, it's inevitable it will begin to smell over time. Clean it every 2 to 3 months to keep it smelling fresh.

4. Put new filters in your vacuum cleaner. Vacuum filters need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months. In addition to preventing bad smells, new air filters also keep allergens, dust and dirt out of the air.

5. Buy perfume pads that are designed for vacuum cleaners. These pleasant-smelling pads are placed inside the vacuum, over the top filter. When the vacuum is operated, the pads gently scent the air as it passes through the vacuum.

6. Sprinkle cinnamon into the vacuum bag or debris compartment. The cinnamon's spicy smell will counteract the unpleasant smell of the debris that enters the area.

7. Place 1 tsp. of baking soda in the vacuum's debris compartment or bag. Baking soda is an odor neutralizer, so it will prevent bad smells from accumulating quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also sprinkle coffee grinds into the vacuum's bag to neutralize odors. (Of course, you will then have a coffee smell in place of the prior smells.)

• Do not run the vacuum if you notice a burning scent. Your vacuum's belt may be broken and need replacing.