Something has died in my vacuum cylinder - how can I get rid of the smell?

[GiganticusBottomus]

Not literally died but gone rotten/mouldy something awful! I haven't used my Hoover (Dyson) for months as I have cleaners and all hard floors downstairs which I sweep so I rarely use it and I hadn't noticed - although the cupboard it was in was getting stinky - I thought it was damp! The smell is abominable. I've soaked the cylinder in detergent but it didn't work AT ALL. Any suggestions?

Is it definitely in the cylinder, not in the little pipey bits? If it is, try leaving it outside for a day or so to let it 'air' a bit?

I've heard of people soaking a tissue in essential oil/anything nice smelling and putting it in there, just to keep it smelling sweet.

Failing that, ask your cleaner what they would do?

Bicarb is good for bad smells. Failing that, I second airing it.

Can you take it to a local handyman or a small hardware store could probably recommend someone to strip it and clean it for you. Cost me £18 to completely strip and clean my old Dyson.

Thanks, I might try some bicarb in it.
Celiafate (great name!) that was cheap, I might find out if that is poss here. Seriously the smell is so bad DH just wants to bin it

Poodles, I think that is what got me in trouble in the first place, ruddy Anthea Turner and her cotton ball with essential oil on it, that's what went mouldy with the other stuff that was in there