Carpets can smell bad due to dust, poor ventilation, pet urine, mold, etc. This write-up provides instructions on removing odor from carpets or rugs.
Carpets that are placed in the high-traffic areas are not only likely to get worn out, there are higher chances of these smelling bad. If you have toddlers and young children, the likelihood of food spills are higher. If you have a pet, then you need to train your pet so that he doesn’t relieve himself on the carpet, staining it. Carpets can also smell, if your home is not well-ventilated. Dampness can also cause the growth of mold or mildew, which can give rise to a musty smell. Dust can also accumulate, if the carpet is not cleaned or vacuumed at regular intervals.
Ways to Get Rid of Odor from Carpets
First of all, ensure that your home is ventilated. If you have pets, make sure you train them well. Make sure that the pet doesn’t soil the carpet. Keep your pet clean. If your pet is dirty, the carpet’s fibers can absorb the pet’s odor when the pet rolls over it. Clean the carpet immediately, if you spill food or beverages. If you don’t wish to opt for deep cleaning of your carpet, you can try the following methods to remove odor from the carpet.
With Baking Soda
- If there is a stain, sprinkle baking soda on the soiled area and leave it overnight.
- Use a stiff broom to wipe the baking soda particles off into the dust pan.
- Sweep well so that you get most of the particles out.
- Use a vacuum cleaner, only if your broom is unable to get some particles out.
With Vinegar
- If the stains are very nasty and the smell remains even after using baking soda, blot the stain with paper towels using white distilled vinegar.
- Leave vinegar on the soiled area for a few minutes.
- Blot with a clean, damp cloth.
- Wipe well to remove any excess water. Let it air dry.
- You can wash small rugs in the washing machine. All you need to do is add a cup of vinegar to it.
Getting Rid of Pet Odor
When pets roll over the carpet, the carpet fibers can absorb their odor. The carpet can also get stained and smell bad, if the pet relieves himself on it. So, what should one do to get rid of pet odor from rugs or carpets?
- It is none other than baking soda that again comes to your rescue. Once every week, you could sprinkle baking soda over the carpet. Though baking soda itself is odorless, it works wonders in getting rid of bad smells.
- If the carpet is soiled, pick up the dirt and clean the area immediately. The longer the dirt is allowed to stay on the carpet, the smellier it will get.
- Never use ammonia, as your pet might confuse ammonia with its own urine, and will be urged to relieve himself on it.
- You can also use vinegar, that acts like a deodorizer. First, wipe the stain completely, and clean the area with a damp towel.
- If the lower fibers of the carpet absorb urine, the stains tend to reappear again. To avoid this process of wicking, heavy books could be placed over a thick towel overnight on the soiled area. Clean the area again after lifting the books or other heavy items that you had placed on the soiled area.
- Let it air dry. Never use a hair dryer to dry your carpet. The heat emanating from the steamer will make the stains and smell extremely difficult to remove.
- You could also use perfumed deodorizers to keep your carpet smelling fresh.
So, the next time your carpet gets stained or smells bad, use the aforementioned methods to remove odor from carpet and keep it clean.
