Why does vacuuming have a distinct smell that you can’t get anywhere else other than a vacuum?
If it was just the smell of dirt and dust why don’t we smell that other times? And if it’s the machine, no other machine makes that exact smell. What isssss ittttt And don’t tell me it’s because it needs to be cleaned. Even a new or well taken care of vacuum has [u]the smell [/u]
I asked my vacuum cleaner repair guy that same question a few years ago after I accidentally vacuum up some water on the kitchen floor which then really magnified that vacuum cleaner smell you mentioned. It got so bad that it quit on it's own after only a few minutes of getting wet inside. Meanwhile, $600 later...
..what he told me was that assuming water hasn't gone through your vacuum cleaner, that smell is what an electric motor smells like as electricity is running through copper wiring, meaning that electricity itself induces an odor when that power is run through the copper wiring within an electric motor because of the heat that is subsequently generated. Aluminum wiring induces no smell at all apparently, but aluminum melts faster than copper which is why it typically isn't used.
If you were to stick your nose into the back of your washing machine while it's electric motor is operating, you would also notice a slight hint of that same smell. The reason it's noticeable on a vacuum cleaner is because the inflow of air through the bag then around the motor then out the tailpipe is also the same air that cools the motor before that same air is exhausted out the tailpipe.
What you are smelling is hot copper wiring being constantly cooled in a vacuum cleaner, whereas there is no circulating airflow to cause the same odorous effect from a washing machine where it's electric motor is located. The reason a washing machine motor is not air-cooled like a vacuum cleaner motor is because it requires very little energy to operate a washing machine versus the energy it takes to suck air like a vacuum cleaner does. That difference is then equated to the heat difference that is developed between the two electric motors.
It cost me $600 to find that out, which was a tidbit of knowledge I wasn't actually interested in learning at the time!
@swirlie I’ve used wet/dry shop vacs before too, and they don’t have the smell. And I have a carpet cleaner that vacuums up dust and water and it doesn’t smell, so I guess they’re made differently
The "brushes" of the motor...you're smelling the electric arcing. Especially if it's worn out.
Vacuums must exhaust air 2 work... & some of this: Dirt/bacteria in the hose. And what you disturb in the rug-- bacteria = odor, + dust, with the beater bar.
Carpet is made of nasty stuff that evaporates into a room. Reason for the "new car" smell we love. You're definitely getting some of that.
Rubber/plastic of hose/canister.
Add heat to this, and it's a cocktail more/less the same everywhere.
Remember when the Central Vac came out?...that was the American Dream. They were a little bit of magic.
@SethGreene531 the suction on dyson is ok. There’s a max setting, but since it’s cordless it lasts less than 10 minutes on max. I’m thinking to let the robot do the the hardwood which is every room besides the bedrooms. I’ll check out the Miele steamer now. I have a little handheld steamer that works pretty well.
@swirlie beat me to it, but yeah, rapid heating and cooling of copper. Fun Fact: Hot bronze smells a lot worse, and yes I would know; I have a lantern whose fuel bulb is made of bronze.
@Iwillwait There are no belts in more modern vacuum cleaners. There is only a belt on the powerhead of a carpet cleaning attachment which if used, does not emit a smell even if it's slipping.
@itsok stiring up dust adding heat , I had one that had a burnt rubber smell , it was belt driven .. I didn’t use it much unless I had too . Y’all need one of those central vac systems lol
