Why does my room smell when I vacuum? Cleaning experts reveal what causes this unpleasant occurrence

Have you noticed an unpleasant musty smell that seems to linger when vacuuming a room? Well, it turns out there's a really simple reason why it happens, and luckily, it's super easy to fix.

It can feel disheartening when you've bought one of the best vacuums on the market, and after a while, it begins to leave a lingering 'dirty' odour as you vacuum your rooms. As one of the best ways to get rid of dust in your home, vacuuming is meant to leave your space feeling fresher and cleaner than you found it not worse. But fear not, it's easy to stop it from occurring.

We spoke to cleaning and vacuum experts about where this unwelcome smell comes from and what we can do to avoid it happening in the first place.

Why does my room smell when I vacuum?

When you're looking for ways to reduce the amount of dust in your home, there's nothing better than thorough vacuuming. And yet, once you're finished cleaning, there can be a musty smell that seems to get stronger with every use.

"One of the main reasons why we get a lingering smell after vacuuming is due to debris caught in the filter," explains Paul Bagwell, CEO and Founder of Halo Vacuums. "Dust, hair, dirt, and pet dander can become trapped inside the vacuum and left to sit until the filter is changed or cleared, which can create an unpleasant odour over time."

It's therefore important to clean the filter regularly to stop the unpleasant smell from occurring. Forget asking if you should vacuum a mattress; if you don't, the odour will still occur.

The dirty filter is particularly an issue for those who own pets, as pet hair and dander can break down quickly and will leave your room with a strong cat or dog smell.

Paul points out that for bagless vacuums, there's an added risk of releasing debris when emptying the contents of the vacuum – not ideal if you don't have one of the best air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.

"In fact, emptying a bagless vacuum can release 10 times more dust, pet hair, and dirt back into the air in your home than removing and replacing a vacuum bag. As a result, this ‘dust cloud’ can be the culprit of all manner of smells being left behind after cleaning out your vacuum," says Paul.

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Paul Bagwell

After spending the larger part of his career working in vacuum engineering, he launched his own brand Halo Vacuums in 2020. He specialises in designing and producing both powerful and odour-free vacuums which use pouches rather than vacuum bags for maximum capacity and ease.

How can you stop your vacuum cleaner from smelling?

Now you know what is causing your vacuum cleaner to smell while in use, how can you fix it? When you consider how often you should clean your house, dirt and debris build-up is bound to happen frequently, so it's ideal to know how best to avoid it.

Paul points out that there are a few ways to minimise the smell emitted from your machine. He says, "Good vacuum maintenance is to check your filter for trapped hair, dust or dirt regularly, and clear out anything caught inside – this will keep debris from decaying and giving off an odour."

He does, however, say that the easiest way to avoid the smell is to opt for a bagged model when you go to buy your new vacuum. He explains, "These bags or pouches are designed to seal off everything captured by the suction mechanism and prevent the dust cloud from escaping when emptying the vacuum, and act as your first line of defence against that unpleasant smell."

Another advantage is that bagged vacuums have a greater capacity, meaning you can vacuum for longer and cover larger areas without worrying about having to empty the dust and dirt.

FAQs

What can you put in your vacuum to stop it from smelling?

When it comes to preventative measures, there are limits to what you can do other than keeping on top of maintenance and cleaning your vacuum cleaner regularly.

"It isn’t recommended to put anything inside your vacuum to prevent smells, as this could interfere with the filter and the efficiency of your machine. Instead, opt for a model with a bag," explains Paul.

What are the signs of poor vacuum suction?

"To perform well, your vacuum cleaner needs to move easily and suck up large and small debris efficiently from all surfaces in your home," starts Harriet Carter-Harper, Product Manager at VAX UK.

"A blocked vacuum cleaner will cause debris to be left behind on the floor, due to a loss of suction. You may also notice an increase in the noise pitch of your vacuum at the same time. Removing a blockage is relatively easy," she adds.

It could also be a matter of the filter being blocked, as this is one of the key components that drives your vacuum's performance.

"Often missed or neglected, a clean filter will keep your vacuum cleaner working to optimum levels. Every few weeks, we would recommend that you check the filter, as this can become clogged with dirt and affect the suction of your vacuum," explains Harriet.

It's also important that the bin or bag is emptied regularly, as this can reduce suction.

Does vacuuming make your room smell better?

If you're trying to make your house smell good, you might be wondering if vacuuming can actually help with the overall odour of your home.

"Regular vacuuming will help to remove dirt, debris and pet hair that, if left, can lead to bacteria growth which causes unpleasant odours," starts Harriet.

"Whilst regular vacuuming will help keep on top of surface debris, it is also important to consider a deeper clean of carpets to help eradicate odours. Deep down in the carpet pile, there can be a layer of odour-causing bacteria lurking in the fibres, which can’t be removed by vacuuming alone. A regular deep clean of carpets and large rugs with a carpet cleaner will help keep bacteria at bay and remove those unpleasant odours," she continues.

Now you know the source of the mysterious smell, your room will be fresh and clean from now on. Without an off-putting vacuum smell, you can freely scent-scape your home to your heart's content.