{"id":1211348,"date":"2023-12-13T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1211348"},"modified":"2023-12-13T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T14:30:00","slug":"dont-put-essential-oils-in-your-vacuum-no-matter-what-instagram-tells-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1211348","title":{"rendered":"Don't Put Essential Oils in Your Vacuum, No Matter What Instagram Tells You"},"content":{"rendered":"

A cleaning hack that enables you to do two things at once<\/u><\/a> always seems like a good idea, so it\u2019s no surprise that a new social media trend is catching on for its claim that you can make your home smell better while you vacuum. The problem is, the method suggested in the videos could actually damage your vacuum. Here\u2019s what not to do if you want a clean, nice-smelling home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why the essential oil vacuum hack sucks<\/h2>\n

The people in the videos mean well\u2014who doesn’t want their home to smell good?\u2014but the methods espoused in videos like this one<\/a>, from Instagram Reels, are a bad idea. Basically, these cleaning influencers are telling you to moisten some cotton balls with essential oils, then put them in your vacuum bag or canister. In theory, when you use the vacuum, the scent of the oils will permeate the room as warm air rushes through the machine. While this trick does likely generate a nice smell, it\u2019s not worth trying. Peruse the comments and you’ll see that some who have tried it report the oils have caused their vacuums to crack. That\u2019s because essential oils are corrosive to plastic. Essential oil companies even recommend<\/u><\/a> not <\/em>storing oils in plastic containers for this reason\u2014so you definitely don\u2019t want any touching your expensive vacuum.<\/p>\n

To be sure, I reached out to Dyson to ask about the trend. Monika Stuczen, a research scientist with the company, agrees that oils shouldn\u2019t be put into any vacuums\u2014but for more reasons than just their potential to damage the device: \u201cAs tempting as it may be to use scented sprays or essential oils to tackle odors from our carpet, we do not recommend introducing liquids unnecessarily, as [dampness provides the] potential for mold and bacteria to grow, causing it to develop odors over time.\u201d Yes, this hack could ultimately make your house stinkier<\/em>. <\/p>\n

To stop odors from forming, Stuczen instead recommends the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Use a vacuum with powerful suction and make sure to go slow, giving the brushes time to penetrate deeply.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Go over the same spot multiple times (though more than two or three passes is overdoing it, according to Dyson\u2019s lab research).\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Tackle stains right away instead of waiting for them to dry, as they could attract bacteria that will smell.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Wipe down and dry your pets when entering the home to stop any of their dirt or moisture from embedding into your carpet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n

    Products to consider:<\/h3>\n

    If you’re looking for a new vacuum to get your carpets looking and smelling fresher, here are some great options.<\/p>\n