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How to Add Scent to Vacuum Cleaner Bags

Sal Marco

Some vacuums emit a musty odor that can leave the air in your home smelling anything but clean. Pet hair, dander and dust remain inside vacuum cleaner bags, filters and bins. As the vacuum exhausts air, the warm air travels over the odor-causing particles and makes the room smell bad.

Freshen the air while vacuuming.

Adding a scent to the vacuum cleaner bag covers foul odors and freshens the room. Try any one of the following tips and see which scent you like the best.

Tip

Adjust the amount of scented material if you want more or less scent wafting through the air. Keep all vacuum filters clean to cut down on foul odors. With many scented materials, you can simply spread them on the floor and vacuum them up, saving the trouble of opening up the bag. Some commercial products are suitable for bagless vacuums.

Warning

Do not add liquid scented materials directly to the vacuum cleaner bag; always apply the scents to something absorbent before placing it in the bag.

  1. Dip a cotton ball or small square of a facial tissue in vanilla extract, cologne, perfume or your favorite essential oil and place it in the vacuum cleaner bag.

  2. Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda with 3 to 4 drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into the vacuum cleaner bag.

  3. Add 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon, allspice, cloves or nutmeg to the vacuum cleaner bag.

  4. Cut scented dryer sheets into 2-by-2-inch squares and place three or four squares in the vacuum cleaner bag.

  5. Place 1 tbsp. of ground coffee in the vacuum cleaner bag.

  6. Remove the peel from oranges or lemons. Place them on a baking sheet in a 250-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the peels cool to room temperature and place them in the vacuum cleaner bag.

  7. Put cedar shavings or three or four cedar balls into the vacuum cleaner bag.

  8. Shave or cut pieces of a scented candle and add 1 to 2 tbsp. of the candle wax to the vacuum cleaner bag.

  9. Use a commercially available scented powder or granules made specifically for vacuum cleaners; spread the recommended amount of product on the floor and vacuum it up, or pour it directly into the bag.

  10. Place 2 to 3 tbsp. of dried lavender or rose petals or 1/4 cup of pine needles in the vacuum cleaner bag.

The Drip Cap

  • Some vacuums emit a musty odor that can leave the air in your home smelling anything but clean.
  • As the vacuum exhausts air, the warm air travels over the odor-causing particles and makes the room smell bad.
  • of the candle wax to the vacuum cleaner bag.
  • of dried lavender or rose petals or 1/4 cup of pine needles in the vacuum cleaner bag.