Home Remedy to Deodorize a Cyclone Vacuum

Cyclone Vacuum

• Cyclonic action refers to spinning the dirt in the vacuum cleaner. This powerful spinning action deposits the dirt in the clear dirt bin -- the part of the vacuum cleaner that you empty. Not all bagless vacuums cleaners are cyclone vacuums. Certain manufacturers create vacuum cleaners that resemble cyclone vacuums, but they have miniature bags or filtered dirt cups. With a true cyclone vacuum, you only have to release the contents of the clear dirt bin into a bag by pushing a button -- not bang a dirty filter on the edge of the garbage can.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Cyclonic vacuums are popular with consumers with allergies because they don't release dust into the air when you use them or empty them. After unplugging and emptying the vacuum cleaner, wiping the inside of the clear dirt bin with a damp rag moistened with white vinegar helps to freshen the vacuum. Emptying the vacuum often, such as after each use, can cut down on the buildup of odors. Cleaning or replacing the filters regularly -- whichever is necessary for your brand and model of vacuum -- helps to diminish odors. Generally, cleaning a washable filter involves rinsing the filter -- the foam-like material -- in plain, cool water. Owner's manuals for cyclonic vacuums contain detailed care instructions.

Baking Soda

• Sprinkling a box of baking soda over the carpet and vacuuming the carpet as usual helps to deodorize the carpet and the cyclone vacuum. Odors in carpets and rugs, such as musty odors from spills or dampness -- or pet odors from fur, dander or urine -- can cause unpleasant odors in the vacuum. Using the baking soda home remedy at least twice a month can help reduce the buildup of odors. Sprinkling ground cloves on the baking soda helps to give the carpet and vacuum a pleasant fragrance without chemicals.

Essential Oil Treatment

• When odor is an ongoing problem -- such as the odor from a dog -- the baking soda treatment might not be strong enough to deodorize the cyclonic vacuum. Dropping a cotton boil dabbed in diluted oil of bergamot or clove oil into the clear bin infuses the vacuum with a strong, pleasant odor. Vacuuming dried tea, from tea leaves or tea bags allowed to dry out after use, helps to deodorize the vacuum cleaner. Cinnamon or vanilla spice offer an alternative to chemical carpet freshener -- and tea might even help to repel fleas, according to the Apartment Therapy website.