5 Ways to Reduce Carpet Odor

15 Jun 5 Ways to Reduce Carpet Odor

Tips to Reduce Carpet Odors

Whether it be an old carpet, a new pet, or simply being too busy to clean, carpet odor catches up to the best of us.

Carpet odor is usually brought on by the long term build up of residue and dirt, which gets packed into the carpet fibers and padding.  This gives root to a seemingly unknown strange smell – often times only noticeable to house guests!

Thankfully, there are many easy ways to rid carpet of odors. However, keep in mind that most DIY solutions are spot treatments and one-time fixes. The best and most effective way to permanently clean your carpet is to contact a professional carpet cleaner – like Carpet Keepers – for a thorough deep cleaning.

1. Baking Soda Solution

First, baking soda, an old trusted remedy for any odor/stain issues around the home. If you have a particular area that carries a smell, then use pure baking soda as a spot treatment by sprinkling a generous amount of it on the smelly area. Rub the baking soda in and leave it for a few hours or overnight (depending on strength of the odor).

The baking soda will soak up odors and excess liquid. Vacuum the problem area to remove the baking soda, and repeat the treatment until the odor is reduced or eliminated altogether.

2. Vinegar Spray

Vinegar is best used on pet related odors. You can simply spray a vinegar and warm water mixture on and around problem areas.  The vinegar/warm water mixture will neutralize the smell in a matter of hours. For the adventures DIYer’s out there who own a steam cleaner – for more effective results allow the vinegar to set deep into the carpet, then let the steamer do the heavy lifting.

3. Vodka!?

That’s right Vodka.  Any cheap vodka variety will serve as an option for removing carpet odors. The alcohol content in vodka helps to eliminate bacteria and can also be used as a natural stain remover- catching two birds with one net.

Also, you can use as a spot cleaner on stains, simply spray a bit of vodka on top, then allow it to act for 10 to 15 minutes and use paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Vacuum clean the carpet and you are done.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural antibacterials and can be used stand alone or can be mixed in with other cleaning products to enhance them- oils mixed with baking soda and warm water makes a very effective spot treatment paste.

To maximize deodorizing properties, the best combinations are:

• jasmine and orange,
• peppermint and tea tree,
• mint and orange,
• rosemary and lavender,
• and pine and tea tree.

For a standalone oil option, consider lemon oil.  These natural solutions will help mask odors, and great for quick carpet odor fixes.

5. Trusted Products

Most pet owners are familiar with the conventional carpet deodorizing products such as:

• CarpetFresh Spray,
• Oxi Clean Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator, or
• Febreeze Carpet Deodorizing Powder.

All are available online or at local convenience stores for low prices.

Before purchasing or making any products, locate the source of the odor (mold, dirt, pets, foot traffic, cooking, etc.). With a bit of research, you can chose the best short-term method to deodorize your carpet – and remove carpet odors.

Trusted Carpet Cleaning Professionals

Let’s face it, some carpet odor removal jobs are just too big for home remedies or over the counter deodorizers. The good news is, Carpet Keepers offers an Eco-friendly carpet cleaning solution: PureScience methodology that wont trigger chemical sensitive concerns.

So, if you want to permanently eliminate deep odors and prevent future smells, hire professionals such as Carpet Keepers to deep clean your carpet at least one a year.