Dyson DC17 Animal Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :

Place a dryer sheet into the dust bag of your vacuum cleaner before cleaning to improve the fragrance of the vacuum cleaner itself. In addition, you may use some orange peel or a few drops of essential oil on a piece of paper towel to remove the odor.
If an unusual smell is emitted from your Dyson vacuum, it may be due to a clogged filter. As the filter fills with dirt and debris over time, all the built-up debris begins to emit a burnt-smelling odor. Remove the filter by twisting the purple dial labeled “filter” located at the top of the vacuum.
A damp or musty smell is caused when dust in the cyclone has come into contact with water. It may not be a direct contact with water, for example when vacuuming pet hair that is slightly damp, this moisture will combine with the dust in the cyclone causing the smell.
Although man`s best friend tends to have a pretty incredible ability to sniff things out, dogs cannot smell though airtight, vacuum sealed containers. Pups can smell under things, around things, into things and even things underwater.
`Get some pure peppermint oil and add a few drops on some paper towel, does a great job and is super cheap. `
Tip #2: If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, wash out the plastic dirt canister with dish soap and warm water. The dirt and grime can stick to the sides of the canister, giving it a foul odor. Do this regularly to keep debris from caking up inside the canister.
The only Dyson purifier to capture and destroy formaldehyde, continuously2. Captures and removes dust, allergens, gases6, odours and other ultrafine pollutants.
Wash your filter with cold tap water – gently rubbing it with your hands. Don`t use detergents.
Wash the hose – dust and dirt particles get stuck in the hose and decay over time, causing your vacuum to smell.
You can buy commercial carpet deodorizer powders, but you can also make a simple carpet powder at home with baking soda. This household item neutralizes odor, which can make your carpet smell better. You can use plain baking soda or stir in essential oil to add a pleasing scent.
If the filter is clogged, it can cause the vacuum to smell like wet dog. Pet dander can cause allergy problems too so be sure to wash your (sponge) filter or replace it frequently. It is advisable to replace the filter at least every 3 to 6 months to maintain performance and to prevent foul smell.
Vinegar and baking soda are two powerful household ingredients that can neutralize pet odors throughout your home. On carpets, rugs, and upholstery, sprinkle baking soda over the entire area and let it sit overnight to absorb the odor, then vacuum the surface.
Poops have an unpleasant natural smell, but they can be smell-proof when inside the bags.
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A plastic container with an airtight lid usually still contains enough microscopic holes to allow the scent to seep out, while a glass container does not. A dog cannot smell through an airtight container made of glass.
For bagless vacuum cleaners: Remove and clean the dust bin/canister. If possible, wash it in warm water. You may be able to remove and wash the hose, wand and accessory heads too, if they`re very dirty.
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It has two levels of filtration—an activated carbon filter for pet odors and a HEPA filter for small particles—and it uses the brand`s signature Air Multiplier technology to circulate the clean air throughout the entire room.

Quality time with your pet

Air purifiers remove odours and allergens released from the proteins found in pet`s hair, saliva and urine, which may trigger allergic reactions. Pet dander is made up of tiny, microscopic flakes of skin and protein particles.

A Dyson vacuum cleaner has a lifespan of around 10 years. This is considerably longer than most other vacuums. So, if you`re looking for a high-quality vacuum cleaner that will last you for a long time, a Dyson could be a good choice.
Give it a break

By letting the battery run down to empty at least once a month, you`ll help to prolong its life.

The Dyson Groom Tool is not for all dog hair types — it is specifically designed for medium- to long-haired dogs. You need to own a Dyson vacuum to use this product.
Carbon air filters can be effective at filtering VOCs from the air. These are gaseous substances that most other mechanical filters like HEPA filters, cannot touch. Some of the gases in cigarette smoke or those given off by drying paint or cleaning products can be removed from the air by a carbon filter.
Air purifiers work by filtering and removing particles that may cause bad smells. However, the EPA states that no air cleaner or filter will be able to eliminate all the particles that can cause foul odors.
Don`t put any part of your machine in a dishwasher or use detergents, polishes or air fresheners. Wash with cold tap water. Make sure your tool is completely dry before using. Your Hair screw tool is not washable.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Vacuum smells I have a 6 year old rainbow vacuum model E and it smells terrible everytime I use it. Probably because often times i don’t remove the water basin after vacuuming and just let it sit. It’s my own fault however now I don’t know what to do to get rid of this terrible smell. I’ve water cleaned the hepa filter, not able to remove the separator screw to clean. Can you give me some suggestions?
ANSWER : In addition to vinegar, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is also an excellent remedy for many odour problems.

Try generously sprinkling baking soda on a rug you wish to clean, and afterwards, vacuum up the spot.

Rugs, and dirt may be broomed beforehand, and you may want to spread the soda over a large enough area to avoid having a small “clean spot”.

Repeat as necessary, and buy the bigger boxes of baking/washing soda. It has many more great uses that you can discover.

How do I clean the bag? I loaned it to someone that had 4 dogs! Needless to say the bag was very dirty, full of dog hair and smells really bad. I emptied the bag out but still cannot get all the hair out and wondered about how to clean the bag. Can I wash it?
Thanks so much, Cindy
ANSWER : Yes you can wash it if it is from textile material, hand wash it i recomand, but not to sure if u can get all the hair out, but at least it will smell nice..
.A new bag isnt’t to expensive either, depends on the model....

I’m getting a horrible sour/sweaty like smell blowing out of my Henry when vacuuming, i’ve tried to clean the filter, but its still just the same & the smell also seems to be in the head o
ANSWER : You can buy little sachets of nice smelly stuff to put inside Henry. Most supermarkets have them. Makes the carpets smell nice too.

The holes on my dyson dc07i are dirty and smell how can i get them clean does the part with root cyclone on it come apart
ANSWER : Hi Susan,
.
.We’d strongly advise against attempting to disassemble the cyclone pack, as this is likely to snap the internal bin-base release rod, and can also reduce the performance of your machine.
.
.If you’re concerned about the smell from your machine, I’d encourage you to get in touch with us directly, by calling 0800 298 0298 (UK), or 1-866-693-9766 (US). One of our advisors will be happy to run through some troubleshooting checks to make sure the smell is coming from the cyclone pack. They’ll also be able to offer advice on the best way to resolve this issue without damaging your machine.

We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Jack
Dyson Online Customer Support
http://www.dyson.com

Dog smell after cleaning
ANSWER : This is an inherent problem with bagless vacuums. The filter(s) will absorb odors and odors will get trapped in places that you cannot clean. This is why I always recommend bagged units. They are easier to clean and the odors go out with the bag. About the only thing you can do is put a deodorizer in the machine and keep the filter clean. Be careful not to use petroleum based deodorizers as they can affect the plastic.

How to get rid of dog smell
ANSWER : I had this problem along with a clogged filter. I used the solution for clogged filter here on Fixya and the dog smell went away too. It has to do with the flange on the cylinder getting pushed up out of position. Give it a try. 

Roomba keeps saying clean brushes yet are clean!
ANSWER : Make sure you take off the little cap at the end (the one that spins — just grab it and pull it straight off) and clean under it too. The rest of the brush may look perfectly clean but what happens is that hair gets stuck under spinning cap and, like a slowly growing washer, it pushes the whole brush toward the gear box. When it gets pushed over enough, the large yellow ring starts to rub against the side of the brush deck making it harder for the motor to turn the brush and you get that “remove and clean brushes” message.

Dyson Animal .. how to get to Chyclone chambers for cleaning??
ANSWER : The cyclone assembly is glued and cannot be taken apart. The best way of cleaning it , is to remove the top held on with three hex screws , the bottom collecting vessel and the perforated filter. Then blast the cyclones from above with either a pressure washer or hose with a high water pressure source. Leave to completely dry , then reassemble.