Who knew fabric-softener dryer sheets were as utilitarian around the house as rubber bands and paper clips? They're great for keeping dust out of your PC, wiping down your TV screen and scrubbing down soap scum from the shower. But did you know they can also help keep your vacuum—and your entire house—smelling fresh and clean? Check it out.
Yep, that's right. A dryer sheet is all you need to get a stingy vacuum fresh—and spread the love all over the house.
The next time you go to change your vacuum bag, stuff a dryer sheet inside the bag through the hole where it attaches to the vacuum. The attach the bag as normal and get started on your carpet. You won't get the pungent right-under-your-nose smell of a dryer sheet, but instead get a soft, fresh scent that will mask any musk.
And for a green bonus tip, it's helpful to know that used dryer sheets work just as well at freshening the vacuum as new ones.
If you've got a bagless vacuum, we've heard that you can use the same tip by using dryer sheets in the filters.
(Images: Re-Nest Survey: Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners, Fiberweb.com, WonderHowTo.com)
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A better option is to throw a handful of dried lavender onto the carpet and vacuum it up. Do this each time you change the bag and it's a natural, better for the environment way to keep the carpets smelling nice, helps reduce pet odors, etc.
Thanks for the post as well as wesaturtle's suggestion. My vaccuum smells like curry right now.
If your vacuum bag stinks, it probably has mold growing in it. Please replace it. If you have a fabric bag that takes a disposable bag, replace the fabric bag. Or
As the partner of a person with fragrance allergies this idea makes me cringe. I guarantee that although they may not be aware of it, almost everyone reading this knows at least one person who is sensitive to fragrance to some degree. Why risk driving those people from your home? Instead of adding more irritants to the air, just find a way to clean your vacuum. Whatever's making that unpleasant smell probably isn't so awesome for your health either.
My roommate spilled some dry laundry detergent about 6 months ago and vacuumed up what she couldn't scoop. Since then I've changed the bag, and the vaccuum still smells like Tide! I don't notice the smell lingering after I've vacuumed a room, but I do appreciate the fresh scent.
As a person with a fragrance allergy, I cringed as well. Not only do the phthalates found in most dryer sheets disrupt hormones, they provoke asthma and other respiratory problems (check out National Geographic's Green Guide for sources and more alternatives). Dried lavender is a great option as is baking soda.
Yeah, dudes. If you have a stinky vaccum it's mechanical:either the motor is overheating, the belts are about to go, etc. or you have something NASTY in your vaccum. Spring for a better vaccum or clean it.
As a person with asthma AND frangrance sensitivy I'm shocked that the standard ridiculously OCD AT message is being so compromised. What's next? If your trash smells you should just spray an aeresol fragrance over it?
Carpet freshener, air smell absorbers, what have you, that is your personal choice if you want to have scented air, but a stinky vaccum is a sign something is wrong in there.
My vacuum was stinky and i replaced the filters, now its fine.
people still use bagging vacuums?!
but yeah, if it's stinky, it means it's clogged. Take it apart & clean it
More than mold or general human grunge, the stink means bacteria. Think about it: we humans shed skin cells at an alarming rate. And then there's the dust mites to consider. They're tiny, and they're EVERYWHERE.
Since I was over-exposed to the "look how disgusting we are as people" information, I've been diligent about dumping my bagless after every room. I get better suction that way, the rooms get cleaner, and I feel cleaner.
Though I will say this: vacuuming kitty litter and cat food smells, no matter what. A dryer sheet may be just the ticket.