Dyson Vacuum Smells Like Dog – Cause and Solution [2023]

We all know that Dyson vacuum cleaners are a reliable and time-efficient cleaning tool. They can be used on all surfaces for cleaning various types of debris, however, that can often leave the vacuum smelling funky. One of the most common problems that people find is their Dyson vacuum smelling like a dog.

Fixing this issue is quite simple, and doesn’t require a lot of work. What’s more important is regular maintenance to prevent this from happening altogether in the future. 

To get a more thorough answer to this question, we highly recommend you keep on reading this article. Learn the most important causes for a funky smell in your Dyson, as well as the best solutions.

If your vacuum cleaner is an old one, you may want to look for a replacement in our other article, that mentions dyson cordless v6.

Why does my Dyson vacuum smell like a dog?

There may be many reasons why your Dyson vacuum smells like a dog, and what’s interesting, it doesn’t have to be related to pet hair, in fact, you may not have a dog at all. Most often it has to do with poor vacuum maintenance and dirt buildup. Some of the most common reasons for your Dyson smelling like a dog are:

• Full dust container
• Used Dyson filter
• Broken elements in your vacuum
• Vacuuming damp dirt (including pet hair)
• Pet’s waste
• Mold

To better understand why your vacuum cleaner is smelling like a dog, it’s worth noting how a Dyson works. The air with dust particles is sucked into the vacuum cleaner to later be filtered and come out as clean, however, with filters that don’t work, the air and dust leave the vacuum unchanged.

The unfiltered air may leave your vacuum smelling bad, and additionally, it may contribute to increased dust emissions from your vacuum cleaner. 

Other descriptions of your Dyson vacuum that smells

While your Dyson vacuum cleaner can smell in different ways, the reason may not change. Many people can also have trouble describing what’s the funky smell coming out of their vacuum. To help you better understand what’s the particular smell, here are different descriptions:

• The Dyson vacuum smells like vomit
• The Dyson vacuum smells like rotten eggs
• The Dyson vacuum smells musty
• The Dyson vacuum smells like poop

There’s also a completely different type of smell that’s often described, although the problem usually has a technical underlying in this scenario. It can be described like this:

• The Dyson vacuum smells like burning hair
• The Dyson vacuum smells like burning
• The Dyson vacuum smells like burning rubber

How to get dog smell out of a Dyson vacuum?

There are a couple of different ways to tackle this problem, which include either home remedies or buying a pre-made solution. Try out the methods below, and consider giving your vacuum cleaner to a professional if none of that help.

Remove Dog Odors from Carpets with Baking Soda

If your home has pets, there’s a possibility that the dog smell has been trapped in the fabric of the carpet. In this scenario, dealing with the vacuum on its own may not be enough. One way to tackle this problem is to sprinkle baking soda into the fibers of the carpet, leave it for one hour, and vacuum the remaining.

Baking soda is known for neutralizing all types of smells, which can be necessary when dealing with pets in the household.

Clean Dyson Vacuum Brush

The roller brush of your Dyson vacuum cleaner can accumulate a lot of pet hair, causing it to get blocked. This may cause your Dyson to release the pet smell onto all the surfaces that are cleaned. With time, the pet hair that is not removed from the roller brush may also start to produce a lot of odors.

On the side note, if you find that the brush in Dyson is not spinning, be sure to check out our articles about troubleshooting and repairs. We try to cover every aspect of Dyson vacuum cleaners that is known for breaking down, including the brush and the whole head.

Wash Dyson Vacuum Dustbin

Emptying the dustbin regularly is an important maintenance step that should not be skipped. It’s recommended to empty your dustbin every time it’s ¾ parts full. You should not leave your dustbin full for a long time, as this may lead to mold inside your vacuum cleaner.

Additionally, a full dustbin may put unnecessary pressure on the motor of your Dyson, which can lead to the smell of burning or burning rubber.

Clean or Replace Dyson Vacuum Filter

Filters inside your Dyson should be replaced every 1 to 3 months, depending on how often you use this cleaning tool. That being said, if you are a dog parent, washing filters in your Dyson every month may be more beneficial to you. Please remember to leave your filters to air dry for at least 24 hours before you use them again.

Don’t forget to check whether the filters in your Dyson are washable.

Avoid Vacuuming Moist Dirt with Dyson

Vacuuming damp dirt and debris will result in persistent unpleasant odors that will be hard to remove. We highly recommend avoiding vacuuming any moist substances and sanitizing the vacuum if you happen to do so. 

Sprinkle Cinnamon on Carpet for Freshness

Cinnamon can be another great way to remove odors from your carpet, leaving a nice scent in the fabric. Keep in mind to use cinnamon in small quantities, and only when it’s 100% necessary, as it can clog the filter when you overdo it.

You can also try sprinkling cinnamon directly into the dustbin of your vacuum cleaner. This solution won’t remove the nasty scent from the carpet, and your vacuum can continue smelling funky after your next cleaning.

Empty Dyson Vacuum Dustbin Regularly

It’s one of the most important aspects when it comes to vacuum maintenance. Keep in mind to always empty your dustbin when it’s ¾ parts full to avoid unnecessary strain on your Dyson’s motor. Aside from that, dirt that’s in the dustbin can rot and create mold inside your vacuum cleaner.

Vacuuming moist dirt can make the smell inside your dustbin even worse.

Clean Dyson Vacuum Hose

The hose of your Dyson is prone to various blockages and clogging. Leaving the dirt inside can lead to various unpleasant smells that can be hard to remove later on. If you think that the dog smell comes from the hose of your Dyson, follow those steps to get rid of the odor:

1. Disconnect the hose from the rest of the vacuum.
2. Remove any blockage by inserting a long and thin object inside the hose (broom for example).
3. Create a solution out of bleach and dish soap, diluted with water.
4. Run the solution through the hose of the vacuum.
5. Rinse the hose with tap water.
6. Wipe off the excess water and let the hose air dry.

Other methods to get rid of the unpleasant smell

If all other methods fail, you can also try creating a homemade solution out of white vinegar and water. Spray the solution inside the dustbin, and rinse with water after 30-40 minutes. Be sure to let the whole thing air dry before you use the vacuum cleaner.

Many people also recommend using vacuum fresheners to help with unpleasant odors. However, you need to keep in mind that this will only mask the unpleasant odor that is coming from your vacuum cleaner, and not remove it. 

How to prevent a Dyson vacuum from smelling like a dog?

Cleaning the dog smell out of the vacuum may be time-consuming, especially if you have been avoiding vacuum maintenance for a long time. Below you can find a few tips on how to prevent your Dyson from smelling like a dog.

Replacing the Dyson vacuum filter

One of the most basic maintenance steps is washing and replacing the filters in your Dyson. Please remember to wash them at least every 3 months, or more often if you are a pet owner. We also highly recommend replacing the filters every 3-6 months.

Regular cleaning

Dirt and bacteria that accumulates inside your vacuum cleaner can start producing unpleasant odors that will be hard to remove. Cleaning the dustbin and all other parts of the vacuum will help you to prevent this from happening.

Different vacuum for pet hair

Finally, you can also use a different vacuum that is designed specifically for pet hair. You can also use a standard vacuum that is no longer used. This way you won’t have to deal with the dog smell every time you want to clean your household.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Dyson vacuum that is not maintained properly has a high chance of producing unpleasant odors. To fix this issue, you should do basic maintenance that involves cleaning all the parts of the vacuum cleaner, washing the filters, and emptying the dustbin. If the smell persists, you can try using a DIY cleaning solution or buying vacuum fresheners.