
A Dyson vacuum cleaner is equipped with filters. These filters are washable, so you can regularly clean them under the tap. Although washing is good for low dust emissions, the filters can start to smell.
If your Dyson filter stinks (even after washing), you've come to the right place. I tell you why she starts to smell and, more importantly, how you can solve this.
How can a Dyson filter smell?
A filter is an important part of a vacuum cleaner: a filter purifies the sucked air of dust particles and allergens, after which clean air leaves the vacuum cleaner. The air passes through the dust container before it ends up at the exhaust filter of your Dyson: if the dust container is filled with old smelly dirt, it will also pass your filter. The filter of a Dyson vacuum cleaner therefore has to endure a lot.
The filter is an important part of a vacuum cleaner: a filter purifies the sucked air of dust particles and allergens, after which clean air leaves the vacuum cleaner.
The filter can sometimes smell like what you often suck up. Does your Dyson smell like dog? Then this may be due to the dog hair that you often remove with the vacuum cleaner. Some scents that people have experienced:
- Filter stinks of dog or dog hair
- The filter smells like rotten eggs
- Dyson filter smells musty
These scent experiences are all personal, of course, but they have at least one thing in common: they all don't smell good. In addition, these odors also depend on the model: they occur in all models, from the Dyson V7 and V8 to V11 and the new Dyson V15.
Causes of a smelly filter
The important causes of a smelly filter often have to do with poor maintenance of your vacuum cleaner. I therefore recommend that you read my manual for cleaning a Dyson vacuum: I'll tell you from A to Z how to get your Dyson spotless again. In addition to poor maintenance, the following points can also cause a smelly filter:
- Vacuuming dirt that can rot or mold
- Not regularly emptying the dust container
- Failure to replace the filter in time
However, those are not the only causes. It could also be due to incorrect washing of the Dyson filter.
Washing the Dyson filter incorrectly can also cause odors
One of the great advantages of a Dyson filter is that it is washable. When you wash the filter regularly, the chance of increased dust emissions or an airway blockage is minimal. But, you have to do this the right way. Your filter can also start to smell after washing. This is often due to the following cleaning errors:
- You did not let the filter dry long enough (minimum 24 hours)
- Cleaning agents have been used (do not use cleaning agents)
- The filter has been washed too often (this will filter the air less well)
Read the Dyson filter cleaning manual in which I discuss how to clean the filter correctly or watch the video below.
Make Dyson filter smell nice again
Once a Dyson filter stinks, it is difficult to get this nasty smell out. If you've been guilty of a cleaning mistake (for example, by not letting it dry long enough), you could try washing it again.
Does your filter still stink after washing? Then it is high time to replace it with a new one. A Dyson filter replacement is super easy and requires no technical knowledge.
You should pay attention when buying whether it is suitable for your Dyson vacuum cleaner. For example, the Dyson V8 can be equipped with two separate filters, while this is one filter with the Dyson V11 and V15. Not sure which Dyson you have? No problem: find out which Dyson you have here.
Do you know which Dyson you have? Discover the right filters in the overview below.
Dyson | Filter level | Filters |
---|---|---|
Dyson V8 (NB 2 filters) | ULPA 15 | View compatible filters |
Dyson V10 | HEPA 13 | View compatible filters |
Dyson V11 | HEPA 13 | View compatible filters |
Dyson V12 | ULPA 15 | View compatible filters |
Dyson V15 | ULPA 15 | View compatible filters |
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar is the founder of Vacuumtester.com and is a true vacuum cleaner guru. With more than 10 years of experience in the world of electronic devices, he knows better than anyone what is important in a vacuum cleaner. When a new vacuum cleaner appears, he is eager to test it extensively.
I put a brand new filter in the dyson and it still smells when I Baum?
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for your comment.
Ask your; Have you ever cleaned the vacuum cleaner parts? A complete manual can be found here: https://www.vacuumtester.com/how-to-clean-a-dyson-vacuum/
Good luck!