Doggie Odor in the Vacuum

[Go_Fish]

Okay…dumn question. I’ll admit that I don’t do housework. I have a housekeeper. She vacuums, I don’t.

Housekeeper complained today that the vacuum stinks. It does. It smells like wet dog when she uses it. I have two Corgis…lots of hair, mud, dander, you name it.

I have one of those wind tunnel vacuums. I took the thingy apart, cleaned out and washed the filter (white accordian looking thing). It still smells faintly of wet dog. Any suggestions on what to do? I don’t think it would be a good idea to spray the filter with Lysol. That might affect it’s function? How about throwing a dryer sheet in there? Can you bleach it?

It’s sitting out in the sun now. Don’t know if that will help or not. I don’t think buying a new filter or vacuum will solve the problem. The dogs aren’t going anywhere and it will just start all over again.

I know I’m housework-challenged. Any advice?

[BetterOffRed]

I googled your question, and there is a Wind Tunnel forum (who knew??). Someone had previously asked the same question. Among the recommendations, it was frequently mentioned to try vacuuming baking powder as well as cleaning out your filter (which you did). Good luck!

[HPFarmette]

Baking soda = good idea; lysol or bleach not so much.

[Alagirl]

accordeon looking filter?

I think those are supposed to have a limited shelf life, don’t they?

If you can find a replacement, get one.

They also make those thingeys for in the vacuum cleaner to make the house smell pretty. Or at least they used to. Dunno how good they work to mask the dog smell when the vacuum cleaner dispenes it…

[LauraKY]

I just use baking soda. I can’t used the scented stuff, gives me a headache and the super sneezes.

[2tempe]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;5779252]
I just use baking soda. I can’t used the scented stuff, gives me a headache and the super sneezes.[/QUOTE]

Who knew this would be a topic! Mine is also a bit stinky due to two chow mixes. So my question is: when you “use” baking soda, do you just dump some on the floor and then vacuum it up? Or do you sprinkle/dump some into the canister that collects all the hair and dust? I do change my filters somewhat regularly - well occasionally - but anything would help.

[JSwan]

Changing the filter more frequently than recommended does seem to help, as does never leaving a bag or cup full after vacuuming (empty and clean everything). The bagless ones seem easier to keep clean.

If you vacuum and put it away whatever you swept up just sits there and festers like forgotten gym socks in a locker.

[li_l_bit]

Throw a dryer softener sheet on the floor and vacuum it up. Helps keep the odor under control.

[shiloh]

Change the filter, wash cannister with white vinegar. If you can stand it they have filters with Febreze in them. I tried one and it did make carpets and vac smell good, but boy, did I get a headache. I guess they are not for everyone, but they do work. And yes, just sprinkle baking soda on carpet, let it sit for about an hour or so (overnight would be better) and then vacuum up.

Got a tip from How clean is Your House gurus Kim and Aggie and that was to put a couple drops of whatever essential oil scent you enjoyed (lavender was suggested) in small container of b.soda and voila! Homemade carpet deodorizer.
I use this and it does work.

[betsyk]

Definitely change the filters a lot more often. When you take it apart, look for other places where the dust and dirt and hair might have jammed it up; even after you bang it on the side of the trash can a couple times, keep banging because you may find places that are so totally full of crud that they won’t loosen up right away. And definitely dump the dirt cup every time it’s used.

There’s an unscented (or almost unscented) Arm & Hammer carpet fresh product for pet odors. That should help your vacuum, as well as your carpets.

[pepperw]

I dump the dirt cup and shop vac the filter everytime I use it due to my allergies…I had the cats/dogs first! This weekend suction seemed bad… took the bottom plate off it was gross what was stuck inside that you could not see. I would suggest doing this outside!

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=betsyk;5784161]

There’s an unscented (or almost unscented) Arm & Hammer carpet fresh product for pet odors. That should help your vacuum, as well as your carpets.[/QUOTE]

This.

I use is all the time (am sensitive to perfumy smells as well, but this dissipates pretty quickly) and the vacuum stays smelling like carpet fresh afterwards.

[mjmvet]

Aside from cleaning the vacuum and filter - I have sprinkled cinnamon and nutmeg on the floor with baking soda and vacuumed it up. Smells faintly doggy, but much better!

[DinkDunk]

I think the bagged vacuums are better b/c you can just toss the stink out! You still have to change a filter regularly, but its way cheaper.

I had a Dyson and that thing smelled so bad my housekeeper brought her own. I threw that overpriced POS away. No filters to change, my ass.

[Go_Fish]

Thanks, everyone. I should clarify…I have Pergo floors and have area rugs everywhere. That’s of course, where the dogs sleep. They also sleep on the couches when I’m not home (little buggers).

The vacuum’s bagless and from what I can tell, it’s not recommended to put baking soda in the canister. I’m not sure it would be adviseable to put anything in there. When they say “windtunnel,” they aren’t kidding.

I did put the filter out in the sun for a couple of days and that helped. I gave up and Febreezed the hell out of it and it does smell better. Replacing the whole cartridge thingy would seriously piss me off. You can’t replace just the filter part…it’s all one assembly, so the entire thing would have to replaced.

I WILL make sure going forward, that after every use, the canister gets emptied and the filter gets washed. Lesson learned (the hard way).