Why does my Henry Vacuum smell? (and how to keep him fresh without an exorcism)
Ah, Henry. The ever-smiling, ever-reliable vacuum that has your back (and your carpets). But one day, as you’re happily vacuuming away, you notice something… off. A smell.
Not just any smell. A mystery odour that’s part stale socks, part burnt toast, and part what even IS that?!
Your Henry has developed a funk. But don’t worry – you don’t need to banish him to the garage or call in a priest. Here’s why Henry smells like regret and how to freshen him up before your house starts smelling like a haunted laundry basket.
1. The dust bag is a biohazard
Let’s be honest – when was the last time you changed Henry’s bag? If the answer is “Ummm…”, that’s could be your problem.
Henry’s dust bag is like a tiny rubbish compactor. If you’ve been vacuuming pet hair, food crumbs, and the occasional unidentifiable object, it’s basically a festival of decay in there. Yuk!
The Fix:
- Firstly, change the bag. (Yes, even if it’s “not full yet.”)
- Use official Genuine Henry HepaFlo bags – they trap and dust and odours far better.
Bonus Tip: If you’ve been vacuuming up damp stuff (please don’t do this), bacteria may have set up camp. If the bag smells like it could walk away on its own, remove it outside. Trust me on this.
2. The filter smells like a sweaty gym bag
Henry has a big, white round filter inside – it stops dust from escaping but, over time, it absorbs all the bad decisions you’ve vacuumed up. If it smells like a combination of dog breath and despair, it’s time for a refresh.
The Fix:
- Take out the filter and give it a good shake (outside, unless you enjoy a dust explosion).
- Vacuum the filter itself with another vacuum (Henry won’t mind)
- Add a charcoal activated MicroFresh Filter.
Do not wash your Henry Filter. Otherwise, Henry will smell worse – like a damp towel that’s been left in a car for a week.
3. You vacuumed something you shouldn’t have
You know that “mystery” smell? Yeah, it could be because Henry sucked up something he shouldn’t have.
- A long-lost piece of food?
- That thing the cat dragged in and left under the sofa?
- Spilled milk (and now you’ve basically created a cheese factory inside Henry)?
The Fix:
- Take off the hose and check inside – you might find the culprit hiding like a fugitive.
- If needed, run a long broom handle through the hose to push out any gross surprises.
- Wipe the inside of Henry’s drum with a disinfectant wipe – he deserves it.
Bonus Tip: Check out our blog on finding a blockage in your Henry. You might be surprised!
4. The hose has become a stink tunnel
Henry’s hose is long and flexible, which is great for vacuuming but also great for trapping smells. If something nasty got stuck inside, you’ve basically got an odour pipeline running through your vacuum.
The Fix:
- Detach the hose and give it a sniff (if you dare).
- If it smells funky, run some warm soapy water through it and let it dry completely before reattaching.
- If you don’t fancy doing that you could give him a fresh new FloMax Hose.
5. Henry needs a spa day
Sometimes, a full clean is the only way to get Henry smelling less like a crime scene and more like a cleaning machine.
The Ultimate Henry Refresh:
- Empty the dust bag and dust off the filter (see above).
- Wipe down the inside of Henry’s drum with a damp cloth or an antibac wipe.
- Give his hose a rinse if needed, remembering to ensure that it’s dry before reattaching.
Important – Do not add scented beads or liquid disinfectants to your Henry.
Keep Henry Smelling Like a Legend – Your Henry should be fighting dirt, not producing new smells of its own. A little regular maintenance will keep him fresh, powerful, and judgment-free.
