Apart from bearing the everyday dirt and traffic, a carpet is inevitably an absorbent for odors too! Whether it's a pet accident, cooking smell, or simply dirt and dust, a ton of odors get trapped in its fibers and make it stinky.
Although cleaning is the best way to get rid of carpet odors, some natural carpet deodorizers might come in handy at times. So, if you are struggling with your stinking carpet, here are some simple yet effective ways to deodorize it and make it fresh again.
7 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Carpet Odors
1. Baking Soda Powder
When it comes to removing odors from your carpet, baking soda wins the game. It is well-known for its properties of absorbing and neutralizing odors effectively. Whether it’s removing a new carpet smell or a smoke odor, it can work for removing a majority of smells from your carpet.
Simply, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda powder on your carpet and work it in with a brush. Let it sit for an hour or overnight if the carpet odor is stubborn. You can vacuum the area thoroughly after that, leaving it fresh and odor-free.
2. Borax
Just like baking soda, you can also use borax powder to deodorize your carpet. To use it, mix equal parts of baking soda and borax in a container and sprinkle it over the smelly area of your carpet.
Let the mixture work on its fibers and absorb the smell. Borax is an odor controller and when used with baking soda, it acts even more effectively at tackling carpet smells. Once you’ve left the powder for a few hours, you can vacuum your carpet to leave it clean and fresh.
3. Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great way to freshen up your carpet and are better when used as a supplement to a mixture. You can prefer to combine a few drops of any essential oil of your choice with a baking soda-borax mixture.
When the powder deodorizes your carpet, the essential oils will add in a fresh smell to push away nasty odors in your carpet.
4. Vinegar Mixture
While borax, baking soda, or essential oils will work for normal odors, you might need something stronger when dealing with stubborn odors. That’s when vinegar can help. The acidic nature of vinegar helps break down odor molecules, helping in neutralizing the smells. It is effective in tackling a variety of odors, especially when removing wet carpet smell.
Make a mixture of equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the area you want to deodorize and let it work for a few minutes. After it’s allowed to sit, blot it with a clean cloth and give it a clean-water “rinse” before letting it dry.
5. Vodka
Besides vinegar, another effective remedy to remove carpet odors is to use vodka. This alcoholic beverage can also work well in breaking down odor-causing components on your carpet. Just spray a mist of it on your carpet and let it sit for a few minutes. You can blot your carpet with a cloth and let it air dry to make it fresh again.
If the alcoholic smell lingers, finish it with a sprinkle of baking soda and vacuum it away later.
6. Enzyme-Based Cleaners
Enzyme-based cleaners can be your savior when tackling odors due to organic stains like removing pet urine from your carpet. They are capable of breaking down odor-causing molecules and effectively neutralizing such smells in your carpet.
Use a cleaner that suits your carpet type and is safe to use. Spot-test the product and follow the usage directions mentioned on the enzyme-based cleaner to help you clean and deodorize your carpet.
Note: Irrespective of what solution you use, ensure to spot-test it on a hidden area before using it to deodorize your carpet. This will avoid any possible discoloration issues and prevent your carpet from fading.
7. Steam Cleaning
Besides the above solutions, you also have steam cleaning as a more extensive option to get rid of carpet odors. Steam cleaning uses high-temperature water vapors to be entered into your carpet. This steam can not only clean the dirt but also work well at removing any odors and germs.
If you have a steam cleaner at home, simply fill it up with water and steam clean your carpet. For more effective results, you can mix some vinegar in its water tank before cleaning.
Just make sure you aren’t using steam cleaning for tackling organic stains like blood, pet urine, or vomit as the heat can settle such odors.
Summary
Carpet odors can be irritating and embarrassing at times. But there are ways you can get rid of them effectively. To deodorize your carpet, you can use items like baking soda, borax, essential oils, and vinegar, among others, to make it smell fresh and odor-free again.
However, if your carpet odors are there for a long time and have become way more stubborn, a deep cleaning by a professional would be your best bet to refresh it.