removing odor

[kirbyeureka95]

Hello all! Quick question for ya- what have you found is the best way to remove dog and general dirt smell from plastic machines? I think the stretch hose will be the most problematic, I usually run everything else through the dishwasher which helps a lot. Thanks in advance for any advice! I'll soon post with an update of a bunch of machines I've found recently, including one or two of my dream machines

 

[durango159]

I soak all of my parts in laundry tub. Depending on how dirty I usually use a disinfectant like Lysol Wild Berry's multipurpose disinfecting pourable cleaner. Armstrong citrus floor cleaner works good. I disconnect hoses from machines and just swish water through those, doesn't matter if its electrical or straight suction hose, I wash them all. Then I hang them to dry for about 72 hours to make sure they're completely bone dry, no water droplets hiding anywhere before reconnecting. I always waive them around a little during drying process to shake water out of any hiding areas. Some dish soap or glass cleaner with water works well.

Any parts of vacuum that can't be washed gets windex and a rag. Wiped thoroughly. Once the machine is reassembled with washed or new filters and new bag, a scent tablet goes in the bag as well. Ensure to break tablet into about 4 pieces so the scent really infuses well.

 

[gmerkt]

One product that I've had very good results in using to eliminate dog odor is called Power House Odor Neutralizer. It comes in 13 ounce spray pump bottles and sells for one dollar at the Dollar Tree chain. If you don't have Dollar Tree in your neighborhood or can't find the product, they sell it by the case on their website. Power House works a little better than Renuzit.

The smell of fermented dog hair and dander is one of the worst to expunge from vacuum cleaners. In the machines that I refurb, I try not to take in those that stink of it but they slip through sometimes. Or it's a model that I know I can sell quickly and take it even though it smells. Mostly, these require complete disassembly and washing. I use a high power nozzle and hose the parts off outdoors. I use compressed air to blow out the motors and electrics that won't stand water. Stubborn soil areas require dish detergent and old toothbrush action. Plastic, non-electric hoses I pour detergent into, flush a couple of times, and if needed, I hang them on a chain link fence filled with deterg/water, then flush next day. In good weather, washed parts are allowed to dry in the sun. This time of year, I set them in front of the woodstove to dry.

Electric hoses you can get most of the smell out by spraying the odor neutralizer into the hose while the machine is running. It goes in as a mist and coats the offending grime. Don't worry about the motor. It's warm and will evaporate the spray as it goes through. Within reason, of course; everything within reason. A half dozen pumps of the neutralizer should do it. If not, repeat again later.

If you have a motor compartment that smells of dog and don't want to disassemble and clean it out properly, a few pumps of neutralizer into the induction intake will work wonders. Leave the machine run for a few minutes to get good and warm to evaporate the mist.

Another vacuum killer is curry. The smell of curry is extremely difficult to get rid of. How does curry get into a vacuum cleaner, you may ask? Owner drops a bottle of curry powder on the kitchen floor, gets vacuum to clean it up. Vac never smells right again. The Power House brand works well to get rid of curry smell too.

 

[dysondestijl]

If the motor smells, I run the machine without any filters, bags or dirt cups for a while, or if its a canister just run it with its hood open
I also change the bag and filters, that helps a lot.
Finally I wash the dirt cup or any other components which have had dirt in them

 

[kirbyeureka95]

thanks!

thanks for all the advice! ill do some experimenting and see what works out

 

[fan-of-fans]

Most vacuums I get I disassemble and clean. After the electrical parts are removed, plastic parts are washed in hot soapy water in the sink. While still damp, I buff with a towel to remove scuffs and light scratches. Nonelectric hoses get washed in soapy water in the bathtub and rinsed until no black water comes out. New bags and filters help a lot at removing odors. If the filters are washable I give them a good wash too. All of this will go a long way in removing odors.