How to Deodorize Carpet

Removing Pet Odors

Use an enzyme neutralizer. There are many products, such as Nature’s Miracle and Simple Solution, that were created to target pet odor. Purchase an enzyme neutralizer at a pet store and make sure to follow the directions on the label exactly. Completely cover all affected areas of your carpet to get the best possible result.

Pour club soda on problem areas. Get a liter-sized bottle of club soda and carefully pour it onto the carpet and let it fizz. Once the fizzing has subsided, use bath towels or paper towels to blot up all the liquid and open the windows so that the carpet can air dry. Try repeating this regimen a couple of times if the odor is still lingering.

Rent a carpet cleaning machine. Especially if you’ve already tried other options, you may need to clean your carpets with a machine to get rid of pet urine smells. You can rent a carpet cleaning machine from a home improvement store. Don’t use a steam cleaning machine because hot temperatures may permanently set the odor.

Removing Smoke and Mildew Odors

Sprinkle your carpet with baking soda to get rid of smoke smells. Baking soda is a great tool to use for deodorizing any carpet, but it’s especially good at removing smoke odors. Fill a measuring cup with baking soda and pour it into a colander while you walk on your carpet to provide an even dusting. Let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to an hour and then vacuum it up. You can boost the cleaning power of baking soda by adding Borax. Combine 1 cup (220 g) of baking soda with 1 cup (409 g) of Borax. If you wish, you can add 1 tsp (~ 2.6 g) of a pleasant-smelling spice, like cinnamon, to the mix. Only do this on a dark-colored carpet, however, since spices can stain lighter carpets.

Dry out mildewy carpet. If you suspect that moisture is causing the odor issue, first dry out the carpet by placing a dehumidifier in the room and by setting up floor fans and angling them downward. Sprinkling cat litter on the carpet may also help in soaking up the moisture.

Clean mildewy carpet with a vinegar solution. After drying, mix 2 cups (470 mL) of warm water with 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar and lightly spray the solution over the carpet to sanitize and improve the smell. Let the carpet air dry. Be careful not to saturate the carpet too much, or mold and mildew may be encouraged to return. Don’t worry about getting stuck with a lingering vinegar smell. Once the carpet dries out completely, the scent of the vinegar will disappear.

Use vodka to treat stubborn odors. If vinegar alone doesn’t do the trick, follow it with vodka. Like vinegar, vodka can act as a disinfectant and neutralize bad odors from bacteria and mold. Put a little vodka in a spray bottle and spritz it on stubborn stains or odors. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then blot the area with a clean, dry towel. You can absorb any remaining moisture with a sprinkling of baking soda after blotting up the vodka with a towel.

Put an onion in your basement to treat basement carpet odors. Because of the moisture surrounding them, basement carpets can carry an especially dank odor. Cut an onion open, put it on a plate, and set it in the basement overnight to draw out that wet smell. Dispose of the onion in the morning and repeat this process each night until the musty smell subsides.

Maintaining a Good Smell

Keep your home well-ventilated. When possible, keep your windows open to create good air flow throughout your home. This keeps bad smells from being trapped in your home and settling into the carpet. Keeping your home ventilated will also limit the humidity, which is important for preventing smelly mold and mildew from growing in your carpet.

Vacuum often and stay on top of other cleaning tasks. Make sure to take out the trash, wipe surfaces with disinfectants, and most importantly, vacuum weekly. Regular cleanings keep bad smells from forming and sticking around. This is especially important if you have a pet, whose presence can often create a bit of wear and tear on your carpet.

Don’t smoke inside. If you or your guests want to smoke, head to the front or back porch. When smoke is kept inside a room or a building, it has no way to dissipate properly and as a result, it gets absorbed into carpets, walls, and furniture.

Address spills, stains, and pet accidents immediately. Timing is vital when taking care of spills and pet urine. The quicker you run to the liquid with a roll of paper towels and begin extracting as much as possible from the carpet, the less odor there will be to soak in and linger.

Take off your shoes before walking on your carpet. Avoid tracking dirt, grime, allergens, and germs all over your carpets by removing your shoes when you come inside. Your shoes can bring in a variety of bacteria—including e-coli—which can thrive in your carpets and cause bad odors. You can reduce the amount of grime and bacteria on your shoes by washing them occasionally.