Adding cinnamon to your vacuum has two big benefits, say experts
June has finally arrived, and with the warmer weather, many people will be thinking about tackling their big spring clean. There's something very satisfying about getting the house spotless for the summer months, and now cleaning experts have come up with a rather unusual tip to help eliminate musty smells and lingering odours.
Apparently, adding cinnamon to your vacuum cleaner can help make your home smell fresh without costing a fortune or damaging the appliance. Years of use often take their toll on vacuum cleaners and they can start to smell stale. Dust, dirt, mud, pet hair, and general grime don't exactly make for a fresh smell, and using the vacuum for just half an hour can leave the house smelling a bit stale.
According to Lottomart, sprinkling cinnamon directly into the vacuum cleaner has two benefits.
Firstly it spreads a sweet, fresh smell throughout the house every time you vacuum.
And secondly, it has antibacterial properties, which means it can kill off nasty germs lurking in the carpet, reports the Express.
They said: "Over time, dust, pet hair, and trapped dirt can create a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant odours inside your vac.
"But before you splash out on pricey fresheners or replace parts, there's a simple, natural, and shockingly cheap solution hiding right in your spice cupboard: cinnamon!".
"Cinnamon isn't just for cooking - it's a powerful, natural deodoriser with antibacterial properties. If you don't already have some ground cinnamon at home, a 36g tub from Tesco or Asda costs just £1."
To make your vacuum emit a delightful scent, begin by moistening a small napkin or cotton pad with warm water.
Then, sprinkle about 10g, which is roughly two teaspoons, of ground cinnamon onto the dampened napkin or cotton pad, rubbing it in gently to ensure it's spread out evenly.
After preparing the napkin, simply pop it into the vacuum cleaner's bag or dustbin.
For those with a bagless vacuum, place it in the waste/dustbin compartment where it won't interfere with the suction.
As you vacuum as usual, the cinnamon-laden napkin will move through the appliance, emitting a cosy, bakery-like aroma and counteracting any nasty smells.
A Lottomart spokesperson commented: "Unlike chemical air fresheners or commercial cleaners, cinnamon neutralises bad smells at the source while leaving behind a warm, subtle fragrance.
"It's a far more pleasant, long-lasting scent compared to synthetic alternatives."
Science journals have noted something special about cinnamon's antibacterial or antimicrobial properties. IOP Science has reported: "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."
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