Yes, carpet deodorizing powders can damage vacuum cleaners as powder particles can clog vacuum filters and bags due to residue that may build up.
It can impact your lungs and affect your pet dog, too. Hence, it’s better to use safe alternatives like baking soda or make your DIY carpet powder.
Continue reading for a detailed guide on the damaging effects of carpet powder on vacuum and health, along with its safer alternatives.
🤔Does Carpet Powder Hurt Vacuums?
Several people turn to carpet powder to deodorize their carpet, but the powder is too fine and damages the vacuum cleaner in the following ways:
🧼Reason 1: Clogs Vacuum Bag
A bagged vacuum requires a minimum airflow through the bag. However, carpet powder particles reduce the airflow by clogging the bag.
It reduces the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum. To avoid this, you must change the dirt bag when you vacuum carpet powder.
🪠Reason 2: Clogs Vacuum Filters
Carpet freshener powder consists of very fine particles resembling dust that tend to clog filters in bagless vacuum cleaners with frequent use.
Blocked filters significantly lower the vacuum’s performance, reducing cleaning efficiency. Thus, you must clean the filters thoroughly each time after cleaning the carpet powder.
Also Read: Can You Vacuum Sawdust?
💨Reason 3: Damages the Motor
The powder particles also hamper the motor’s cooling filters.
So, like vacuum filters, you must clean these cooling filters every time you vacuum carpet powder to prevent the motor from getting overheated and avoid long-term damage.
The powder also acts like tiny grains of sandpaper. If motor filters are inefficient in shielding the motor, they can wear down the motor axles.
It can also clog motor bearings. As time passes, complete motor failure might occur.
Also Read: Why Is My Vacuum Smoking
👉Reason 4: Misplaces the Belt
The carpet deodorizer powder accumulates slowly on the vacuum cleaner drive belt. When this accumulation increases over time, the belt may start to slip, causing it to overheat, stretch, and eventually break.
Occasionally, using carpet deodorizers poses no problem, but using them regularly prevents the belt from shedding the already accumulated powder, shortening its lifespan.
Also Read: How To Replace Vacuum Belt
🤔Is Carpet Powder Bad for the Lungs?
Yes, carpet powder can be bad for the lungs. The American Lung Association warns against supplies like carpet powders with harmful chemicals and even VOCs.
Carpet powders with fragrance chemical ingredients, VOCs, and synthetic amorphous silica can also cause eye and throat irritation.
Some people have also complained of getting a sore, dry throat after using carpet powders.
🐶Is Carpet Powder Bad for Dogs?
Yes, carpet powder is bad for dogs and pets as they live closer to the floor. They might accidentally ingest the powder, which contains harmful ingredients.
Not to forget that the powder can also contaminate the air (toxic fumes, VOCs), which, when inhaled, causes respiratory problems in pets.
Vacuuming the powdered carpet deodorizers spreads the particles throughout the room. Skin contact can lead to your pet’s skin problems.
Also Read: Should You Use Roborock Cleaning Solution Alternatives?
🎯What to Use Instead of Carpet Powder?
Instead of using Carpet Powder containing harmful chemical compounds, which can potentially have adverse health effects, one can opt for safer alternatives to deal with bad smells:
🧁Baking Soda
The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has always been recommended for house cleaning, as it is natural and absorbs bad odors and excessive moisture.
If you require more refreshing strength for your smelly carpet, mix a cup of baking soda with half a cup of borax.
To use it, spread it on the carpet and leave it for half an hour. Then vacuum it all up, and the carpet is deodorized!
🎏Natural Carpet Powder
You can also make a powder from natural ingredients at home. Here are the ingredients you need:
Put the ingredients in the lid jar, close the lid, and shake it well. Your natural powder is ready to be used.
Now, just sprinkle the powder on the carpet and vacuum it up after 20 minutes!
Tip:
Make sure the essential oil is safe for kids. If not, you can look for a milder one or use cinnamon or cloves.
💡Is Carpet Powder Bad for Vacuums: FAQs
What is carpet powder?
Carpet powders are fresheners that remove unpleasant odors from your carpet. They are widely available in different fragrances as well.
Is carpet powder deodorizer actually useful?
The short-term results of using carpet powder are good. They make the room smell fresher. But in the long term, they can cause major damage.
Carpet powder settles under carpet fibers, and you cannot vacuum it completely. It promotes bacterial growth. It also forms clumps with moisture, pee, or some liquid.
Carpet powder deodorizers don’t remove the source; they just mask the carpet odor. If the source is some spill or pee from your pet, you must decontaminate it and remove the odor to have a fresh carpet surface.
Also, your vacuum warranty might become invalid if you vacuum up carpet powder.
How to get carpet powder out of the carpet?
To get carpet powder out of the carpet, vacuum it up first. Not all the particles will get picked up as the filter clogs.
So you should buy 2 replacement filters. The steps are as follows:
1. Install a new filter after your initial cleaning of carpet powder.
2. Then, re-run the vacuum to pick up the remaining powder.
3. Now, you install the second replacement filter.
4. The two filters that were initially used will be clogged up. Clear them up thoroughly if they are washable.
There will most likely be some powder still left, which the vacuum couldn’t pick up.
5. So, mix liquid dish soap and water to clean that up.
6. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth damp with the solution to wipe up the remaining powder gently.
Do you put carpet powder before or after vacuuming?
You have to put carpet powder before and vacuum it afterward. Let the powder sit on the carpet for about 30 minutes. Then vacuum it up thoroughly (it may take a few rounds).
However, it is best to use baking soda or DIY natural carpet powder to protect your carpet as explained earlier in this guide.
What should I sprinkle on my carpet before vacuuming?
You should use baking soda as it is a natural way to absorb the odor. Sprinkle it and leave it for 30 mins on the carpet. Then vacuum it up.
Adarsh is a Health Science graduate with expertise in environmental health and wellness. He is a Neat Freak who constantly looks for ways to keep his surroundings clean. At Clean Homies, Adarsh is focused on researching and sharing information on how you can maintain hygiene at home for a happy life.
