If you’ve noticed a bad smell coming from your vacuum cleaner, there’s no need to worry – one kitchen staple may help to banish unpleasant odours and leave your home smelling fresh
Many of us will vacuum at home multiple times a week(Image: skaman306 via Getty Images)
Nobody enjoys hoovering the house, but it’s still one of the most essential household tasks. It quickly removes crumbs, dirt and hair from carpets and hard floors, leaving them looking noticeably cleaner and more presentable.
That said, it’s crucial to look after your vacuum properly to maximise its lifespan. If you’ve begun noticing an unpleasant odour coming from yours, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time for a replacement. Experts suggest a common kitchen staple can work brilliantly at eliminating odours, and chances are you already have it in your cupboards.
The specialists at Homes and Gardens recommend that cinnamon is the perfect solution for getting rid of vacuum smells. Simply scatter ground cinnamon into your hoover’s dust container, or if yours uses bags, sprinkle it on the floor and vacuum it up.
For pet owners or those who need to vacuum often, it’s advised to do this before every clean. For others, it’s worth doing whenever truly needed.
Ground cinnamon works most effectively, and you can pick it up for as little as £1 from Asda or £1.10 from Tesco, reports the Express.
Why it works
According to scientific journals, cinnamon has antibacterial properties that can help neutralise unpleasant odours.
IOP Science states: “Cinnamon bark has been commonly used as spicy and traditional medicine. It contains several antibacterial compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and cinnamaldehyde. Several studies have been done to know the antibacterial effect on bacteria such as Streptococcus in vitro.”
Unlike chemical air fresheners or shop-bought cleaning products, cinnamon tackles unpleasant odours at their root while leaving behind a gentle, cosy scent.
However, make sure to check that no one in your household has a cinnamon allergy before attempting this method. Alternatively, you can consider placing fragrant tumble dryer sheets inside the vacuum, or a cotton wool ball dabbed with disinfectant.
