Dyson Vacuum Smells Like Dog [SOLVED]

Did you know that over 90 million families own a dog today?

Well, who can blame them? Dogs are adorable!

But when you own a dog you are bound to vacuum your home more often, causing your vacuum to smell.

If your Dyson vacuum smells like dog, don’t worry!

In this post you will learn:

• Why your Dyson vacuum has a pungent dog odour
• How to get the dog smell out of your Dyson vacuum
• What to use to make your Dyson vacuum smell good again
• And more! 

Why Your Dyson Vacuum Smells Like Dog

Your Dyson vacuum can smell like dog as a result of poor maintenance practices, such as failing to empty the dustbin after vacuuming pet hair. This can lead to an accumulation of unwanted odors that are released into the air every time you use the machine. Additionally, vacuuming damp debris and never replacing your Dyson filters can also contribute to the unpleasant odor.

How Do I Get The Dog Smell Out Of My Dyson Vacuum?

There are a few things you can do to keep your Dyson vacuum smelling fresh if you are a pet parent:

1. Change or Wash Your Dyson Vacuum Filter 

Filters need to be cleaned every 1-3 months, depending on how often you use your Dyson vacuum cleaner.

As a dog parent, though, I recommend you wash the filter every month and let it air dry for 24 hours before using your Dyson vacuum again.

Make sure you read the user manual to check that your vacuum model has a washable filter.

You should also change your Dyson vacuum filter every 3-6, again depending on how often you use your machine.

Don’t attempt to use your Dyson vacuum without a filter!

Without a filter, dust and dirt will be released into the air every time you vacuum.

2. Tackle Dog Odors with Baking Soda on Carpets

If your home features carpeted floors, it’s possible that the dog smell has become trapped in the fibers.

A simple solution is to sprinkle a tiny amount of baking soda all over the carpet. That is because baking soda is known to effectively neutralize odors.

Wait at least one hour before vacuuming the sprinkled baking soda up.

Here is a step-by-step approach you can follow:

1. Relocate your pets to another room
2. Empty your Dyson vacuum dustbin
3. Put down some baking soda on the carpeted surface
4. Wait for the baking soda to penetrate for at least 1 hour
5. Vacuum up the baking soda
6. Empty the dustbin again
7. Thoroughly clean your Dyson filters

Note that it is important to limit the use of baking soda on carpets and only apply it when necessary, as overuse can obstruct the filters of your Dyson vacuum.

3. Sprinkle Cinnamon on Your Carpet

Another thing you can try is to sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon powder directly into your Dyson dustbin. 

You will soon notice a lovely scent of cinnamon being released in the air!

Alternatively, you can sprinkle cinnamon on the carpet, making sure you vacuum it up using a hose to avoid embedding the cinnamon into the carpet due to the weight of your Dyson body.

Remember to use cinnamon in small quantities and only when really necessary. Using too much cinnamon could clog your Dyson vacuum filters.

Once you are done, empty your Dyson dustbin and rinse the filters, ensuring you let them air dry for 24 hours before installing them back into your Dyson.

4. Wash Your Dyson Vacuum Hose

Dyson vacuum hoses are prone to clogging with various types of dirt and debris, resulting in unpleasant odors.

If your Dyson vacuum hose is emitting a dog smell, follow these steps for a deep clean:

1. Disconnect the hose from your Dyson vacuum cleaner
2. Eliminate blockages by tapping the hose into a trash can
3. Mix bleach and dish soap in a sink and fill with water
4. Immerse the hose in the solution
5. Allow the mixture to flow through the hose
6. Thoroughly rinse the hose with water
7. Let your Dyson vacuum hose dry

5. Clean Your Dyson Vacuum’s Roller Brush

Your Dyson vacuum roller brush may have accumulated pet hair, causing it to become clogged.

This can lead to the release of dog smell into the air and onto your carpets every time you use your Dyson.

But aside from the smell issue, remember that keeping the roller brush clear of clogs is a vital aspect of maintaining your vacuum, as clogs can disrupt its performance and even cause your Dyson vacuum to stop working.

6. Regularly Empty Your Dyson Vacuum’s Dustbin

As a rule of thumb, you should not use your Dyson vacuum when its dustbin is more than 3/4 full.

A full dustbin can put pressure on the motor of your Dyson, as well as being the perfect environment for bacteria to build up!

If the dustbin fills with dog hairs, your Dyson vacuum will smell like dog.

The odor may even get worse if you accidentally Dyson vacuumed water, since whatever was in your Dyson dustbin would have gotten wet.

At the end of the day, I believe it is way easier to simply empty the dustbin every time you finish using your Dyson. Better for the vacuum and better for your health!

7. Wash The Dustbin

Although emptying your Dyson dustbin can help keeping the dog smell out of your vacuum, this is not always enough.

That’s because some dust will remain attached to the dustbin walls.

To wash your Dyson’s dustbin:

1. Detach the dustbin from your Dyson vacuum
2. Empty it in the trash
3. Remove the filter and cyclonic unit from the dustbin
4. Fill a sink with liquid detergent
5. Thoroughly wash the dustbin in the sink
6. Allow the dustbin to fully dry before replacing the cyclonic unit and filter
7. Reassemble your Dyson vacuum

8. Avoid Vacuuming Moist Dirt with Your Dyson Vacuum

If you vacuum up something wet, like a dog accident or wet dog hair, it can leave a smell in your Dyson.

First, you should try to avoid vacuuming up anything wet, because it’s not good for your vacuum.

But if it happens, I recommend you take apart your Dyson and let it dry out.

You can then wipe the dust bin and put a little bit of baking soda in it.

Baking soda is really good at soaking up smells!

What Can I Put In My Dyson Vacuum To Prevent It From Smelling Like Dog Again?

To prevent your Dyson vacuum from emitting a dog-like odor, consider taking the following steps:

1. Spray a bit of essential oil on a piece of paper towel and then vacuum it up with your Dyson. Allow the machine to sit for a few hours before emptying its dustbin
2. Infuse the vacuum felt filter with one drop of essential oils
3. Place a fabric softener sheet inside the dustbin and let it sit for a few hours before removing it. Note: Some manufacturers, including Dyson, do not recommend leaving the sheet in the dustbin while using the vacuum.

Will Baking Soda Ruin My Dyson Vacuum?

I advise against vacuuming large amounts of baking soda, as it can clog up the filters of your Dyson vacuum, allowing the powder to penetrate into the motor.

Sprinkling tiny amounts of baking soda on your carpet, though, and vacuuming it up is OK. But only do it when really necessary.

Again, empty your Dyson immediately after vacuuming up baking soda and wash the filters to avoid permanent clogs.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a few things you can easily try if your Dyson vacuum smells like dog!

To get rid of the dog odor lingering inside your Dyson:

1. Change or wash your Dyson vacuum filter
2. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and vacuum it up
3. Sprinkle cinnamon on carpets and vacuum it up
4. Unclog and wash your Dyson vacuum hose
5. Clear your Dyson vacuum roller brush
6. Empty your Dyson dustbin and disinfect it when necessary
7. Remove damp dirt from your Dyson vacuum