Can You Vacuum Baking Soda? The Truth About This Harmful Practice

Baking soda is often recommended as a natural deodorizer for your carpet, but does baking soda damage vacuum cleaners? Here’s the truth behind this long-held myth!

Hey there, friend! I know we’re all on the same page when it comes to keeping our homes smelling fresh and clean, right? We sprinkle a little baking soda on the carpet and—voila!—it’s like a breath of fresh air for our floors.

But does baking soda ruin vacuums? 🤔

Well, no worries – I’ve got the scoop (and it’s not just for your baking soda)! Let’s brush off the facts and find out if this is a wise old wives’ tale or a cleaning faux pas that could be sucking the life out of our vacuums!!

Grab your cuppa, and let’s dive into the fizzing world of baking soda and vacuums!

Can you use baking soda as a carpet deodorizer?

Baking soda has been hailed as the superhero of smelly carpets. That’s because it’s not just about covering up odors and carpet stains, it’s also all about neutralizing them.

Thanks to its alkaline powers and sodium bicarbonate, baking soda can zap those stinky pet smells or spilled milk disasters. No more just masking the funk – baking soda works its magic by changing the chemistry of those yucky odors into something neutral.

Your carpet gets a total deodorizing makeover, leaving your room smelling fresh and clean.

Plus, it’s cheap and easy! Hey, I’ve even vouched for baking soda in the past for its odor-eliminating skills. 🤷🏻‍♀️

But let’s pause this baking soda love affair for just a moment and take a peek at the potential downsides of vacuuming up baking soda.

Once that baking soda residue sneaks deep into your carpet fibers, it’s like a clingy little friend that refuses to leave! 😂🤣

Even the mightiest vacuum cleaners can struggle to kick it out completely.

These lingering baking soda particles can turn into a sneaky troublemaker, causing havoc on your vacuum’s insides—filters, bags, mechanisms, you name it!

The damage doesn’t show up right away. Instead, it slowly sabotages your vacuum’s performance over time, greatly diminishing it’s lifespan.

So, while we crave that fresh carpet vibe, we may want to steer clear of baking soda for our carpet-cleaning routine. Better safe than sorry, right?

Does baking soda ruin your vacuum?

So, here’s a fun fact that I didn’t know: baking soda and vacuum cleaners are not exactly a match made in heaven!

Baking soda can really gum things up, putting a strain on the motor, clogging filters, and causing your vacuum’s suction power to take a nosedive. It’s like having tiny little sandpaper bits grinding away at your machine’s insides.

Sneaky, right? At first, you might not notice the damage, but over time, your vacuum’s performance will start to fizzle out.

And before you know it, you’re looking at some pricey repairs or having to bid farewell to your trusty vacuum cleaner sooner than expected.

I don’t know about you, but I think vacuums are way too expensive to risk that kind of damage. 😬

Vacuum repair specialists see the impact firsthand – baking soda might seem like a harmless cleaning hack, but it’s a silent killer for vacuums. It accumulates where you can’t see it and gradually erodes the inner workings, leading to a shorter lifespan for your machine.

Hey, when it comes to freshening up carpets, baking soda may be a champ at removing carpet stains and tough odors, but it can be a troublemaker for vacuums.

To keep your gear in top shape, maybe try out some vacuum-friendly alternatives. Remember, a bit of TLC can save you from those pesky repair bills.

Let’s make sure our vacuums stay happy and our carpets smell fresh without any surprises! 😊

Why is my vacuum not working after baking soda?

image of a woman sitting on a bed trying to figure out why vacuum isn't working

I’m no vacuum repair man, but I’d say if your vacuum cleaner isn’t working properly after using baking soda or baking soda products on the carpet, the most likely reason is that the very fine baking soda particles have clogged your vacuum’s filters.

Or the baking soda may have formed a blockage within its internal pathways.

Another possibility is that the baking soda has damaged the vacuum’s fan, causing a decrease in suction power or a complete cessation of function.

It’s important to thoroughly clean or replace the filters and examine any moving parts that may have been affected by the baking soda.

Regular maintenance after using fine powders like baking soda can help prevent these issues from occurring.

Or better yet, just don’t use them at all. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What about other types of powder carpet deodorizers?

Did you know that other powder carpet deodorizers can be sneaky troublemakers for vacuum cleaners, just like the baking soda particles? These powders are so fine, they sneak into the vacuum’s guts, causing clogs and wear.

And some have big granules that can be rough on delicate parts or oils that may harm plastic.

Remember to check what the manufacturer says about your vacuum cleaner and using deodorizers, to avoid any mishaps.

Oh, and don’t forget to give your vacuum cleaner some love by cleaning its filters and insides regularly after using powders to keep it running smoothly!

What else will ruin a vacuum cleaner?

Beyond powder substances, a vacuum cleaner’s life can be cut short by sucking up liquids, large objects, or sharp items.

Liquids can wreak havoc on the motor, potentially leading to electrical faults or corrosion. Large debris can cause obstructions in the hoses, while sharp items can damage the interior workings, such as the fan blades or create tears in the filter.

This will cause your vacuum to not work as well, and leads to costly repairs or expensive replacements parts. 😬

To keep your vacuum cleaner kicking for longer, make sure to scope out the area for any lurking hazards before you start cleaning.

What can I use instead of baking soda?

Want to keep your carpet smelling fresh without messing up your vacuum with baking soda?

Check out Healthy Planet Products Odor Absorber! This product is family-safe, pet-safe, vacuum-safe and eco-friendly, packed with natural ingredients and fragrance oils that zap those odors away.

Just sprinkle it on the carpet like you would baking soda, and vacuum! Odor Absorber isn’t made of super fine powder, so they don’t harm your vacuum cleaner. 😊 They come in a 16oz jug or a 32oz bottle!

Plus, the scents are amazing! I gave my daughter-in-law a few jugs, and she loves them!

Check out the usage tips at Healthy Planet Products to keep things fresh and clean!

After the dust settles…

image of a mom and son playing with a car on the carpet

After the dust settles, it’s clear that the longevity of your vacuum cleaner hinges on proper use and maintenance!

By avoiding hazards such as liquids, large debris, sharp items, and yes, even baking soda, you can protect your costly investment.

Remember that the best care for your cleaning equipment comes from understanding its limitations and treating it with the respect any trusty household ally deserves. 😁

For a breath of fresh air and a steadfast cleaning companion, keep these tips in mind—the payoff will be a cleaner home and a vacuum that stands the test of time!

Before you go!

Ready to elevate your home to a sanctuary of freshness without the hassle? Head over to Healthy Planet Products today!

Select from our range of inviting scents and bring home the Odor Absorber that promise an aromatic atmosphere and a safer alternative for your vacuum.

Act now—your nose (and vacuum) will thank you!