How To Get Baking Soda Out Of Vacuum?

Growing up baking soda and powdered deodorizer was my grandmother’s main solution for getting smells out of the carpet. She would sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda all over the carpet as I watched my Saturday morning cartoons. but once you vacuum it, it can clog the vacuum’s filter and cause serious performance issues.

Key Takeaways:

One of the most efficient ways to remove fine baking soda particles from a vacuum is to use compressed air. Make sure to bring your vacuum outside and use compressed air on the dust container and filter. If the filter is washable, then wash it thoroughly in lukewarm water and then let it dry before reinstalling it into the vacuum.

Continue reading to learn why and how baking soda can be damaging to your vacuum, some troubleshooting steps to get the baking soda out of the vacuum, and more.

Why Is Baking Soda Damaging For Vacuums?

Below, you can see the chart that shows the size of particles different types of vacuum filters can capture:

There are also other types of filters like disk, foam, and cloth filters used in vacuums. The cloth filter mainly captures large dust particles. Whereas, the disk and foam filters capture small dust particles.

Now here’s the thing:

The size of the baking soda particles can be as small as 0.2 microns and as large as 70 microns, depending on the size of the baking soda granules.

Due to its small size, baking soda tends to easily clog the filter of your vacuum. Whether it is a HEPA filter, bag filter, or even cyclone filter, all types of vacuums can be affected because of the clog.

Let’s say you cleaned your carpet with baking soda and wanted to vacuum it. The thing is, most vacuums won’t pick up all the fine baking soda particles from the carpet. And even if you manage to clean the baking soda using a vacuum, you will likely have to make a couple of passes, but you still won’t get all the particles embedded in the carpet fibers.

The fine baking soda particles will get inside the pores of your vacuum filter and clog them up.

The result? You will start having problems with your vacuum.

First off, your vacuum’s filtration capacity would be reduced and it may not function effectively. Secondly, the vacuum will also lose its suction power. You could feel the reduced power the next time you try to clean any surface with it.

Also, the baking soda can solidify other debris into the minute pores of the vacuum filter, further clogging it and reducing its effectiveness. So don’t be surprised if you notice reduced suction power if you have previously used baking soda.

Don’t worry though, because now I will share the practical step-by-step troubleshooting guide on how to fix your vacuum and get the baking soda out of it.

One thing to note, you may not be able to fully remove the baking soda even after applying all the steps. But still, fixing it should help, especially, if you have used a small quantity of baking soda in the first place.

If the damage is much more, then you may have to replace the filter to get it working efficiently again.

Baking Soda Stuck In Vacuum? Here’s What To Do To Get It Out

1. Take the vacuum canister or dustbin outside or to an open, well-ventilated area to prevent the released debris from settling back into your indoor environment.
2. Turn off and unplug the vacuum cleaner to ensure safety during the cleaning process.
3. Next, open your vacuum parts to get access to the filters. This process can be slightly different based on the vacuum model you are using. So follow along with the user manual or watch a video tutorial.
4. If baking soda is wet or damp, dismantle the vacuum, lay parts on the floor, then make the vacuum sit in a dry area for unlit dry to the touch. Complete the above before moving on to the next steps.
5. Then, once you take out the filter, Give it a shake over your dustbin to remove all the bulk of the baking soda. It may not come out all at once, so shake it well for some time to get rid of all the baking soda from the filter. I recommend using a brush to help remove the caked-on debris.
6. Use a cordless air duster, compressed air canister, Shop-Vac, or air compressor with the air blower attachment to blow air into the canister. Start with gentle bursts and gradually increase the pressure as needed to dislodge and remove the debris.
   
   Recommended air tools to help you clean your vacuum:
   Air Compressor (Best) – Can be used for air tools and to inflate tires and balls. See on Amazon here
   Cordless Air Duster – Small, convenient, and reusable. See on Amazon here
   Compressed Air Canister – One-time use. See on Amazon here
   Shop-Vac – Good for vacuuming wet/dry and blowing air. See on Amazon here
   
7. Next, depending on the type of filter you have, if it’s washable, then give the filter a thorough cleaning. You can find a chart at the end of this troubleshooting steps section to check if your vacuum filter is washable or not. In general, if you have washable filters then you can clean it with soap and water, but I would recommend just using lukewarm water to avoid any further clogging issues.
8. Finally, allow the filter to dry out for some time. Usually, a few hours to let it dry should be enough. Then, install the filter and all other parts again and start using your vacuum. Be sure to observe any change in performance.
9. Alternatively, if you could get a replacement filter for your vacuum at an affordable price, that would be best. You can find replacement parts of name brands like Bissell, and Dyson from their official websites or even on sites like Amazon.

Conclusion

In short, to get the baking soda out of your vacuum, you need to open up all the parts and get access to the filter. Then clean and wash it thoroughly (if it’s washable) and reinsert it properly. If this doesn’t work then you can either get your vacuum cleaned with the help of a professional or just simply swap the filters.

Whether you have a bag or bagless filters, baking soda poses a risk to your vacuum and its functioning. So it is always a good idea to look for alternatives to cleaning your carpet.

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