My vaccuum spits out tons of white powder all over my house when I try to use it because there is tons of white powder in my carpet!! I just moved into this apartment about 2 months ago and everytime I vacuum, I'd get a lot of powder. Well, now my vacuum won't even stop spitting out powder! What is this powder and what is it doing in my carpet?? I'm going crazy, gagging on this stuff. I can't vacuum my house.
2007-12-20 08:33:53 · 9 answers · asked by Ive Got Answers 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have a hepa vacuum and it is a cannister vac. i just emptied it. dirt goes in the container but the powder mostly flies in the air as well when i vacuum. the carpets did smell nice when we first moved in but it isn't as strong. it could be scented powder but if it is, that's an insane amount!!
2007-12-20 09:19:58 · update #1
the carpet looks brand new...? It's nice looking and it definitely has some sort of padding underneath of it.
2007-12-20 09:20:42 · update #2
If it is talcum powder...what if i don't have a vacuum with a bag?? Is that why the powder is escaping? The vacuum is still working good but it covers me and my house in white dust.
2007-12-20 09:21:58 · update #3
I just put a brand new filter in it too! lol
2007-12-20 09:23:04 · update #4
Thanks for all your answers! I'm gonna have my fiance check it out when he comes home. He can fix anything! lol
2007-12-20 11:30:57 · update #5
Could be baking soda too....I would have the carpet professionally steam cleaned, to get it all out......
2007-12-20 16:09:18 · answer #1 · answered by adevilchild38 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow, don't know what brand of vac you have but it must have a terrible leak somewhere, or a plugged hose. I've been repairing these things for nearly 30 years and have never seen one push that much dust back into the room unless there is a serious problem with the vac itself. Even the bagless cleaners, which are mostly junk, don't let that much dust through unless they're broken or plugged. The first thing I'd do, were I you, would be to take that vacuum to a repair shop and have it checked out. And the fellows are correct about the powder being a deodorizing substance. It was most probably used to cover up some horrible odor left in the carpet or the entire apartment, by a previous tenant.
2007-12-20 10:38:53 · answer #2 · answered by Corky R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think DT nailed it. It is likely carpet deodorizer/carpet cleaner. Usually it is something like talcum powder or corn starch.
Suggest you install a fresh bag on your vacuum and see if this helps. Also suggest you use some type of face mask/filter so you don't get that stuff into your lungs.
If you know of someone with a shop vac, you can install double filters to minimize the dust allowed to escape. I use this approach all the time when vacuuming up drywall joint compound. While not perfect, it is less likely to spew as much dust.
2007-12-20 09:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by David M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably carpet deodorizer. Check your vacuum- bag, connections. It should not be spitting out the powder.
2007-12-20 08:47:09 · answer #4 · answered by DT 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The white powder is the backing of the carpet breaking down. the carpet need to be replaced.
2007-12-20 08:38:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like someone dumped carpet deodorizer on it. Get a hepa vacuum cleaner.
2007-12-20 08:41:28 · answer #6 · answered by jamzm2002 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the carpet is cheep, it has a foam rubber backing on it and it is now braking down into powder. Need new carpet.
2007-12-20 09:14:41 · answer #7 · answered by Alice C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try changing the filter bag
2007-12-20 08:37:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya it must be the bag
or filter being full.
2007-12-20 08:41:00 · answer #9 · answered by iHavi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋