How to Remove Odor from Carpet? Carpets in a house sometimes tend to be even more comfortable than a couch along with that cozy touch adding to you home decor but with great power comes great responsibility! Because if you don’t clean that cozy looking carpet then it can turn from beautiful to horrendous especially when you have guests over and it smells like baby pee. Regardless, if it’s actually baby pee, spilled soup, or just years and years of accumulation, if know how to remove odor from carpet properly can make a big difference. Here’s the good news, harsh chemicals and expensive cleaning services aren’t the only option.
Few preventive measures and household items with a pinch of tricks is enough to make that smell vanish. Following are some hands-on ways to remove that not so pleasant smell.
Table of Contents
1. Baking Soda – Your First Line of Defense
Baking soda is one of the easiest and safest methods to nullify light odors from your carpet. Its natural properties absorb moisture and break down odor molecules, leaving the carpet smelling fresher.
How to use: Generously sprinkle baking soda all over your carpet, paying special attention to the smelly spots. Let it sit for several hours or ideally overnight to give it time to work. Then, sweep up the excess and vacuum thoroughly. If the odor or smell still doesn’t go away, restart and repeat.
2. White Vinegar for Musty and Mildew Smells
If your carpet smells moldy or damp, white vinegar is a dependable solution. Vinegar’s property of being acidic helps kill bacteria and offset any odors, but since it’s a liquid, you need to use it carefully to avoid soaking the carpet.
How to use: Test a small hidden area first to ensure the vinegar won’t damage the fibers. Dilute distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly mist the affected areas. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth to remove moisture. Follow up with a light spray of cold water and dry again with a cloth. Let the carpet air dry thoroughly.
For stronger odors, combine a little hot water, vinegar and baking soda into a spray bottle. Being combined, it boosts they’re capabilities as removers.
3. Enzyme Cleaners for Pet and Organic Stains
Pet urine, vomit, and other organic stains often cause stubborn odors that simple cleaning can’t fix. Enzyme cleaners are designed specifically to break down organic waste using beneficial bacteria, which helps remove both the stain and its smell.
How to use: First, clean there area with a cloth soaked in warm water to remove any excess like semi-solid residues. After that, use the specific enzyme cleaner as per instructions on the bottle. The longer it rests on the area, the better it’ll work. Then, gently dap with a cloth soaked in warm water to soak up the excess. Try not to scrub, as it might rub in the stain.
Make sure to buy enzyme cleaners tailored to the type of stain you’re treating for the best results.
4. Vodka – A Surprising but Effective Deodorizer
Vodka, a natural disinfectant for both life problems and Odoro-genic microbes. Also it evaporates quite quickly and doesn’t leave anything behind unlike many cleaning products.
How to use: Spray vodka on the smelly area without soaking the carpet. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then blot dry with a clean cloth. This method is particularly effective for urine, mold, and other stubborn organic odors. Use the cheapest vodka available, since it’s the alcohol content that does the work, not the brand.
5. Borax and Baking Soda with Essential Oils for Mold and Mildew
For substances like molds or fungus, try combining baking soda with Borax and lemon or citrus oil. Borax consists of strong antifungal properties that kill mold spores speedily.
How to use: Combine half a cup of borax with one cup of baking soda, and add about 20 drops of lemon or another citrus essential oil. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over your carpet and leave it for 1-2 hours depending on the odor strength. Vacuum thoroughly afterward. This natural blend not only deodorizes but also helps prevent mold growth.
6. Daily Habits to Keep Your Carpet Smelling Fresh
Knowing how to remove odor from carpet is only half the battle. Maintaining freshness requires consistent care:
- Vacuum regularly: Dirt and crumbs build up quickly and cause odors. Vacuum once a week at least. If you have kids or pet, prefer vacuuming regularly.
- No shoes indoors: Shoes track in microbes and dirt. Try not to wear shoes indoors.
- Ventilate your rooms: Open windows to let fresh air in and odors out. In winter, air rooms for a short time but exceptionally to prevent any moisture buildup as it can build up mold spores.
- Use a dehumidifier: High humidity encourages mildew growth. Keeping humidity levels low helps prevent musty carpet smells.
- Treat stains immediately: The sooner you clean spills or accidents, the easier it is to avoid lingering odors.
7. When to Call in Professional Carpet Cleaners
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, odors remain. Professional carpet cleaners have innovative instruments and cleaning agents that can reach deep into the carpet fibers and padding.
If the smell is constant or is years of accumulation that just won’t go away, professional cleaners are your best bet. Scheduling a thorough cleaning once a year can also prevent odors from developing.
Final Thoughts
If you know how to remove odor from carpet then you’ll realize that the solution is neither complicated nor expensive. Whether you choose in-between a baking soda remedy or vodka sprays, there are a lot of simple but effective ways to not only rid of the bad smell but also regain some freshness into the carpet. Also if you remain a little careful like removing a stain as soon as it gets onto the carpet then you can save yourself from a lot of effort and bad smells.
Now keep in mind, these tricks are effective but if the smell still doesn’t go away then it’s best to call professionals to take a look.
How to Remove Odor from Carpet? Now you know!
