Nothing is worse for a homeowner than entering a room and being hit by a bad smell. Fortunately, there are several ways to deodorize carpets, which are frequently the culprits for foul odors in homes. In this article, I will provide you with tips, techniques, and recommended products to help you get rid of those pesky carpet odors and make your home smell fresh and clean. So without any further ado, let’s learn how to deodorize a carpet.
Why Do Carpets Smell Bad Sometimes?
Before we get started on carpet deodorization techniques, it’s critical to understand why carpets can smell in the first place.
- Pets: If you have pets, the urine, feces, and hair they shed can accumulate in your carpets and give them an unpleasant odor. Even if you regularly clean up after your pets, some odors might still cling to the carpet’s fibers.
- Smoke: If you or a family member smokes, the smoke can become trapped in the carpet fibers and produce an unpleasant odor. This is particularly true if the smoke has been present in the room for a long time.
- Moisture: Carpets are capable of absorbing moisture from the air, spills, or leaks, which can promote the development of bacteria and mold. These can produce a musty or stale smell that can be challenging to eliminate.
- Food: If spills, crumbs, and food stains aren’t cleaned up right away, they can leave odors in carpets.
- Poor ventilation: If your home’s air is not sufficiently circulated, odors may cling to the carpet’s fibers and linger.
- Age: As dirt, dust, and other debris build up over time, carpets may simply begin to smell bad.
How to Deodorize a Carpet: 5 Basic Methods
1. Vacuum Regularly
Regularly vacuuming your carpet is the first step in deodorizing it. This helps getting rid of any dirt, dust, or debris that might be the source of the odor or contributing factor. Clean your carpet by using a HEPA-filtered vacuum to capture even the smallest particles, and make sure to vacuum both the carpet and the baseboards.
To ensure that you are collecting as much debris as possible when vacuuming, it is important to move slowly and overlap your strokes. High-traffic areas and any locations where your pets spend a lot of time should receive extra attention.
2. Use Baking Soda
You can use baking soda to get rid of odors in carpets because it works so well as a natural deodorizer. The entire carpet should be liberally dusted with baking soda. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes (longer is better). The smells should then be gone after vacuuming up the baking soda. For a pleasant scent, you could also mix a few drops of essential oil with the baking soda.
Baking soda eliminates odors by absorbing them from the atmosphere and carpet fibers. It is safe to use on the majority of carpet types, but you should test a small, discrete area first to make sure your carpet won’t become stained or damaged.
The following video demonstrates a removal of pet odors from the carpet with the help of baking soda:
3. Try a Carpet Deodorizer Spray
You can try a carpet deodorizer spray if you’d like a more practical solution. These sprays are made especially to remove odors from carpets and leave them smelling fresh. Spray the solution evenly throughout the carpet, let it dry, then vacuum it up. If you have kids or pets at home, look for a product that is safe for them.
4. Use a Steam Cleaner
Another efficient method for deodorizing your carpet is steam cleaning. In order to thoroughly clean the carpet fibers and get rid of any dirt, dust, or debris that could be the source of the odor, this method uses hot water and steam. You can either hire a professional carpet cleaner to do the work for you or rent a steam cleaner from a home improvement store.
It’s highly important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a steam cleaner. After thoroughly vacuuming the carpet to get rid of any loose debris, add hot water and cleaning solution to the steam cleaner. Avoid soaking the carpet fibers by moving the cleaner slowly over the surface. After cleaning the carpet, give it time to completely dry before using it.
5. Get a Professional
You might want to think about hiring a professional carpet cleaner if the smell is particularly difficult to get rid of. Even the toughest odors from your carpet can be eliminated using their specialized tools and products. Prior to hiring a company, make sure to research it, look for good reviews, and inquire about their methods and the products they use.
Hot water extraction, dry cleaning, and encapsulation are just a few of the techniques used by professional carpet cleaners to clean carpets. To get rid of stains and odors, they might also use specialized tools and supplies like deodorizers and spot treatments. Although hiring a professional can be more expensive than other options, it’s frequently the best way to get rid of odors that just won’t go away.
Recommended Products
Here are some additional items that are recommended for use in carpet deodorization:
- ARM & HOLLY Baking soda: An Amazon’s Choice product, this all-natural deodorizer works wonders on carpet odors.
- Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner: This potent steam cleaner can clean deep within the fibers of your carpet and eliminate even the toughest odors.
- Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo: This shampoo was created specifically to get rid of stains and odors that have been embedded in carpets for a long time.
Conclusion
Although deodorizing a carpet might seem like a difficult task, it is actually quite simple to complete with the right methods, tools, and supplies. Keep in mind to regularly vacuum, use baking soda, experiment with carpet deodorizer sprays, use a steam cleaner, or, if necessary, hire a professional. You can quickly have a carpet that smells clean and new using these techniques and the suggested products.
As a homeowner, it’s important to take care of your carpets to ensure that they last as long as possible. Odors can be avoided, and the lifespan of your carpet can be increased with regular cleaning and maintenance. Use these suggestions and products to keep your home smelling clean and fresh, and don’t let a smelly carpet ruin your day.