Smelly vacuum cleaner

[CarcerDun]

We have a Miele Cat and Dog (no pet though for several years) but it's started to smell. Somewhere between smelly feet and farts, as soon as it starts up it fills the room with its odour. We've changed the bag and the filter but it hasn't made a difference.

Does anyone have any idea how we can save it?

[McWeedie]

No idea but my Sebo is the same, have changed filter and bag, hoovered up tons of carpet shampoo in an attempt to make it smell better, but it just smells like vomit when I switch it on

[PigletJohn]

it might have 3 filters. Sponge out their apertures.

On my old one, after some years, I put it on the draining board (tilted with the motor end upwards) and sponged out the inside cavity with WUL, using a small paintbrush for the crevices. Leave it overnight to dry, and do not get any actual water inside. You can also put the hose and head in the sink to wash through, and hang up to dry.

Do not plug it in again until it is perfectly dry.

The old one has felt wrapped round the motor to deaden noise, it can eventually pick up doggy smells. I don't think it is intended to be cleaned by the owner.

[CarcerDun]

Thanks Piglet, will try that one.

[PigletJohn]

has yours got the black filter?

filter sets vary with age and model. You may have an air filter, an exhaust filter, and a motor filter. The new soft white or silver bags are much better at retailing fine particles than the old paper bags.

[rabbit123]

When did you last replace the filters? The active Carbon filter on the Cat & Dog, and the S class filter on the Sebo, should be replaced once a year.

Is it something in the hose that smells? Try washing the hose out in hot soapy water and hang it up to dry over the shower.

[rabbit123]

Also, are you using genuine Miele bags? The cheaper bags let dust and dirt through into the bag housing and motor, only the proper Miele bags are strong enough to withstand the high suction power

[PigletJohn]

I saw this amusing video which included cleaning out the bag space and the two filters. As well as cleaning out all the dry material, I am very keen on a damp sponge with WUL and a small paintbrush. After it has dried any remaining dirt is easy to see.

On my older Miele I like to swap both the filters with every bag change, and wash the dirty filter so it is ready to swap back next time. It does not have the black carbon filter. You should get a couple of motor filters in each pack of bags. It is more necessary if you have a dog.

Unless you like repairing appliances I would not expect you to dismantle it and get into the motor compartment.

[rabbit123]

PigletJohn, the Cat & Dog models come with carbon filters which only need replacing annually. The standard air clean models need filters changing with every new pack of bags