Cleaning experts have suggested an unusual tip to help banish musty odours and lingering smells from vacuum cleaners: sprinkling cinnamon powder into the appliance before use. The advice comes as households spend more time indoors during the colder months and look to deep-clean their homes.
Why add cinnamon to your hoover?
Vacuum cleaning company Shark recommends the hack in its advice on "vacuuming hacks." It says: "Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to the bag or cylinder of your vacuum cleaner to leave a stunning aroma wherever you clean. If you don’t like cinnamon, vanilla powder works just as well."
According to science journals, cinnamon is not just useful for spreading a pleasant smell, but also has antibacterial or antimicrobial properties. IOP Science reports: "Cinnamon bark has been commonly used as spicy and traditional medicine. It contains several antibacterial compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and cinnamaldehyde. Several studies have been done to know the antibacterial effect on bacteria such as Streptococcus in vitro."
How much cinnamon to use
Karina Toner, professional cleaner and operations manager at Speckless, backs up the tip. She says: "A small sprinkle – about half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon – is more than enough. You don’t need much to freshen the air as you vacuum, and using too much can overwhelm the vacuum’s filters or motor."
As reported by Homes and Gardens, the best method is to sprinkle ground cinnamon powder directly into your hoover's dustbin. For older bagged hoovers, sprinkling it directly onto the floor and then sucking it up also works. Homes and Gardens adds: "If you're often vacuuming pet hair or cleaning up smelly food crumbs, you might want to do it before each clean. If not, stick to whenever it's really necessary to avoid overfilling your vacuum."
