Deodorizing a carpet is not just about getting rid of smells, it’s about removing the cause of the odors and retaining that freshness for a long time. Carpets also hold water, dirt, bacteria and even organic matter such as pet dander or food particles that, over time, cause unpleasant odors.
The goal for preserving freshness long term involves dealing with surface and subsurface odors and using products that cleanse and don’t allow unpleasant smells to build up. From natural home remedies such as baking soda to a thorough carpet cleaning, deodorizing your carpet properly can be the difference between healthier indoor air quality and a more comfortable living environment.
Below, we’ll discuss the secret to maintain your fresh carpet smell for a long time and how to deodorize carpet.
How to Deodorize Carpet Using Natural Remedies
Carpet deodorizing home remedies are aimed at using common household materials and practices that are safe, chemical-free, and natural. The most common natural deodorant on the market is baking soda, which absorbs moisture and smells.
Spray it onto the carpet and let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight, and vacuum to get rid of your carpet odors. You can even include essential oils (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus) that are antimicrobial and will get rid of foul odors.
These oils can be added to a DIY cleaning solution or dissolved in baking soda for a boost. Vinegar is a mild acid which will also eliminate odors, like that caused by urine or smell of a pet and can be applied in diluted form to the carpet to clean and freshen. Activated charcoal is another natural solution, which is odor-absorbent and odor-trapping, so you can put it in airtight bags around carpeted surfaces to catch lingering odors.
Further, regular vacuuming of carpet gets rid of dust, dirt, and debris that might be making the smell. The natural products and cleaning methods don’t only deodorize the carpet, but also don’t collect toxic chemicals in the home, which means they are both safe and efficient choices for families with children or pets.
Benefits of Using Baking Soda for Carpet Deodorizing
Here are some of the most common benefits of using baking soda for carpet deodorizing.
- Stable Odor Blocker: Baking soda neutralizes acid and alkaline smells so that carpets no longer smell.
- Free Of Harmful Chemicals: For home use by kids, pets and people who have chemical allergies.
- Simple: Baking soda is a no-brainer and can be found all over. It’s an economical deodorizing product.
- Free of Carcinogens: Baking soda is non-toxic in contrast to most chemical deodorants.
- It is Easy To Use: All you have to do is squirt it on the carpet, leave it on, and vacuum it. You don’t need any assistance.
- Gentle on Carpet Fibers: Baking soda cleans and deodorizes carpet without damaging or tearing carpet fibers.
- No Fumes, Harmful Chemicals: It doesn’t leave traces of harmful chemicals and hence it can be easily removed from carpet at a regular interval.
How to Deodorize Carpet: Tips for Preventing Carpet Odor Build-Up
By cleaning your carpet regularly and aggressively, carpet odor can be eliminated. The easiest thing to do is vacuum carpets frequently to remove dust, dirt, and other objects that might contain moisture and smell.
Clean up spills and stains quickly or otherwise bacteria or mold can form. Carpets need to dry too because moisture is one of the worst smell factors.
Having dehumidifiers or proper ventilation when it is really humid may keep moisture out. The deep cleaning that occurs regularly by steam cleaning or professional cleaning is also effective in the expulsion of dirt and bacteria which vacuuming cannot remove.
You can also use a natural deodorant, such as baking soda, on the carpet every couple of weeks to get rid of residual odors. Promptly cleaning accidents can also be a big source of pet odors in your carpet. Lastly, turning over rugs or moving furniture can spread out wear and keep odors from sticking in one spot. If you have a clean home and treat odor-causing sources early, you can keep carpets fresher longer.
Professional Carpet Deodorizing Techniques
Professional carpet deodorizing services target more stubborn or intense odors than standard home cleaning won’t adequately address. The most frequent of these is hot water extraction, or steam cleaning, which isn’t only used to get rid of dirt and other debris, but to remove lingering smells by flushing them out from the carpet fibers and padding.
Experts use a strong vacuum and hot water mixed with cleaning solutions poured into the carpet, followed by extraction to extract the dirt and moisture. The second method is deodorizing products, often containing enzymes or antimicrobial treatments, like special deodorizer sprays and treatments. Such solutions dissolve organic particles like dog poop or food spills, common culprits of persistent odors, neutralizing the odor at its source.
Others resort to ozone treatments, in which ozone gas is produced, and it reacts with odor molecules, oxidizing them and clearing them of odor. It’s especially good on musty, smoky, or deeply rooted odors. Carbonated cleaning is used for even more stubborn instances, as carbonation extracts dirt and odors from the carpet.
Carpets after these cleanings are usually followed by further cleanings with antimicrobials, in order to kill mold or bacteria for permanent freshness. Such advanced methods are particularly helpful for difficult odors or those that can’t be dealt with by DIY methods.
How to Deodorize Carpet: FAQ
1. Baking soda: Will it get rid of the carpet smell?
Baking soda really helps reduce odors since it absorbs moisture and neutralizes the acidic or alkaline odor molecules. Sprinkle it on the carpet, allow it to sit for several hours, then vacuuming it up will eliminate or at least cut down on odors.
2. How can I get rid of musty odors in my carpet?
To fix musty odors, first you need to deal with the moisture problem by drying the carpet thoroughly. Wash off the area with an antimicrobial cleaner and once dry, sprinkle baking soda or spray on a deodorizing spray that’s specially made for mold and mildew to mask the odor.
3. Do I need to deodorize my carpet every few years?
Carpets should be deodorized if necessary, but ideally once every couple of months especially in high-traffic areas or households with pets. If there are constant odors, you know that a deeper cleaning (i.e., steam cleaning or expert services) is in order.
4. What about bad smells that need professional cleaning?
Yes, expert cleaning solutions such as hot water extraction, ozone or carbonated cleaning can tackle deep-seated odors that ordinary home cleaning alone will not get rid of. These are the treatments that go directly to the source of the smell, whether it’s mold, pet stains, or build-up of dirt, and offer a complete deodorizer.