Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is known for removing stains, deodorizing surfaces and even as a disinfectant so it seems like an ideal tool for cleaning but you should worry about using it with your vacuum cleaner.
Even though it has a lot of advantages, yes, baking soda will damage your vacuum cleaner. It has a lot of tiny particles which is most likely to get into interior parts of the vacuum like the engine and gear which can cause potential damage to components such as the motor engine. will Baking Soda Damage Vacuum?
It is also difficult to get out the carpet and can destroy your carpet fibers as the baking soda is not removed totally from the surface.
Baking soda is an all-purpose powder, it acts as a natural deodorizer, mild disinfectant and stain remover. So why is natural powder harmful? Let’s find out below.
FOUR REASONS WHY BAKING SODA IS BAD FOR VACUUM CLEANERS.
REASON 1 : Baking soda can destroy the engine motor of the vacuum cleaner.
A vacuum cleaner’s motor needs to be cooled regularly and sucks up surrounding air. Considering baking soda particles are as tiny as 70µm, they can easily get sucked in too. The more it happens, the more they get into the gear clogging them overtime.
REASON 2: Baking soda can clog the filter.
Baking soda can also clog up the filter thus preventing air from getting into the motor. This will lead to malfunction and poor performances till it eventually breaks down.
REASON 3: Baking soda cannot be totally removed.
When you use baking soda on your carpet rug a portion of it stays beneath and the vacuum cannot get it out even if you decide to take that risk. Baking soda deodorizes by absorbing the odor hence if you can not get it out, the odor remains too and no matter how much you vacuum, you can not remove baking soda totally.
REASON 4: Baking soda can wear out your carpet rug.
Not only are baking soda particles tiny but they are also very sharp! Its texture can work wonders which is why baking soda is usually recommended for dishes and bathtubs cleaning. These sharp tiny particles get into the carpet’s base and ruins the fiber overtime which will cost you money for a replacement.
You should also know powdered baking soda and other stain remover powder does not remove stains on rugs unless it used with a water solution, only the smell is changed with the stain unchanged. Imagine sprinkling only detergents to remove stains from your clothes.
HOW TO GET RID OF BAKING SODA IN A CARPET RUG WITHOUT USING A VACUUM CLEANER
Now that you are aware of the reasons why you should not use baking soda with a vacuum cleaner, , Below are ways to get rid of baking soda If you already used it on a carpet rug without making use of a vacuum cleaner.
Get a steam cleaner.
To get the job done, you can buy or rent a steam cleaner. You can always look up on the internet on how to use one or get someone who understands how it works. If you want to know about How much watts are Required to operate vacuum cleaner Read it out.
Do it yourself with a vinegar solution.
This DIY method is done with vinegar, warm water, a sponge and towel.
Mix the vinegar with warm water. After making the solution, soak it up with a sponge and scrub the baking soda-stained area. Take a clean and dry towel and apply pressure to the area. Repeat till you get your desired results.
ALTERNATIVES TO USING BAKING SODA FOR CLEANING
.Most people recommend baking soda because it is cheap, popular and easy to use there are alternatives to cleaning your rugs without ruining your vacuum cleaner or carpet rug.
Internet sources might recommend baking soda as a way to control ants, bedbugs, cockroaches and other pest but you can substitute with Borax. Borax is a better option because it is a chemical made for this very purpose, but you should take precaution when using it.
Consider using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Vacuums with HEPA filters typically picks up more dust, pet fur, particles compared to the regular air filter.
Vacuuming at the right speed will clean up more dirt and stains than you can imagine.
You can always use your usual dish soap and water to clean stains from surfaces.
Get scented tablets that you can easily vacuum to get rid of odors.
Get a vacuum freshening product that is not toxic- check the supermarket. They are also large enough not to get into your motor engine or get into your carpet.
Get a professional cleaner for ink and pet stains. It is affordable and will save time with a good job guaranteed.
OTHER THINGS THAT CAN ALSO DAMAGE YOUR VACUUM CLEANER
Apart from baking soda, there are other things you should not use vacuum cleaner for;
Glass particles should not be vacuumed as they can clog the hose and even tear the bag.
Except it is a wet/dry vacuum, you should not use it to pick up anything wet, either wet food, vomit or spills.
Coins, paperclips and other small items should not be vacuumed as it can break or get stuck inside the bag.
If you just renovated your house, avoid vacuuming fine dust because it will clog the filter and the vacuum will spill the dust out making your efforts useless.
Do not suck up ashes from fireplaces with a vacuum because there are tendencies of the heat starting a fire. However, you can let the ashes cool for about four days before cleaning it.
Always look out for small nails, pins, screws and other hard, sharp objects that can damage the vacuum.
You should also make sure you remove hair from the brush if you cannot avoid vacuuming it. The hair can get tangled and cause a problem.
If you do not have a wet/dry vacuum, do not vacuum water. It is an electronic machine, so you really do not want to get water into it.
It is a bad idea to vacuum fresh food like meat, sea food and poultry. It is likely to cause the motor trouble and remain in the bag and it starts decaying and producing a foul smell.
Plants can also get stuck in the filter, so it is best you trash them in a bin.
Soil, most especially wet soil can cause potential damage to the vacuum.
Stain or odor, whatever you have; it is not a wise decision to use baking soda on your carpet. It will cause harm to not only your vacuum cleaner but carpet rug as well! There are more alternative solutions for a cleaner and fresh smelling carpet.
At times, you really have to replace the rug, depending on how old it is and the particles that are likely to be found under. You should also replace the carpet ,if it has a permanent stain and smell.
Learn to properly and frequently clean areas such as the rugs and couch. Always keep in mind what a vacuum cleaner can be used for to adequately manage it.