How to Keep Your Vacuum Smelling Fresh

Your home’s carpets area and Oriental rugs are constantly subjected to dirt and grime. It’s no wonder that after picking up all of that dirt and grime, your vacuum cleaners start to smell a little past their prime. Not only do clogged vacuums cause odors; they also don’t pick up dirt as well.

While standard maintenance keeps your vacuum functioning correctly, what can you do to keep things smelling fresh? Follow these simple tips to keep your vacuum cleaner smelling like it just came out of the box!

For residential or commercial carpet cleaning services in the Columbia, MD area (or more tips on how to keep your vacuum smelling fresh), call CLEAN Choice Cleaning & Restoration today at (410) 978-6050 or contact us online.

Things You’ll Need to Clean Your Vacuum:

• Damp cloth
• Dishwashing soap
• Warm water
• Fragrant herb or spice, such as ground cinnamon or lemon verbena 
• Baking soda
• Fabric softener sheet (ex: Bounce)
• Disinfectant spray (ex: Lysol)

Tip #1: Change the interior vacuum bag and wash the exterior bag. Odors from dust, dirt, and pet dander can make the bag start to smell. Some exterior bags are machine washable; but if yours isn’t, simply wipe down the bag with a damp cloth using warm water.

Tip #2: If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, wash out the plastic dirt canister with dish soap and warm water. The dirt and grime can stick to the sides of the canister, giving it a foul odor. Do this regularly to keep debris from caking up inside the canister.

Tip #3: Sprinkle a fragrant herb or spice, like cinnamon or lemon verbena, inside the vacuum bag. If you have dark-colored carpets or rugs, you can sprinkle the spices directly on the floor and simply vacuum away. This will help infuse the bag with a nice fragrance for a few uses.

Tip #4: Before using your vacuum, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the bag. If you have a bagless vacuum, sprinkle several tablespoons of baking soda directly onto the floor and vacuum it up. We use baking soda to absorb and eliminate odors in our refrigerators, so why not use it on our carpets and vacuums?

Tip #5: Place a fabric softener sheet inside the bag or plastic compartment of your vacuum. Each time you turn on the vacuum, you will activate the sheet and release the smell. The fabric softener will permeate the bag or compartment, giving you a fresh smell each time you turn on your vacuum.

Tip #6: Get rid of the buildup of dirt and grime by wiping the exterior of your vacuum with dishwashing soap and warm water. After a thorough wipedown, spray a disinfectant spray to eliminate any lingering germs and odors.

If your vacuum cleaner still smells, no matter how much you try and freshen it, the problem might be in your carpets or area rugs. If your carpets and rugs haven’t been deeply cleaned lately, it may be time to call on the professionals. The CLEAN Choice Cleaning & Restoration team are the experts at reviving, rejuvenating, and refreshing your smelly carpets, area rugs, and Oriental rugs!

You can give us a call at (410) 978-6050 or contact us online to schedule your Annapolis or Baltimore carpet or area rug cleaning today!