Are you tired of inhaling unpleasant smells in your home? It’s time to clean out your carpet asap or find other ways to mask the smell. After all, you don’t want your guests gasping for air because of a smelly carpet.
We are here to help you out of your problem by using the things you have at home. Cleaning out the dirt from your carpet is not the only thing that you need to do to make it smell fresh.
There are different ways to refresh the scent of your carpet. You can use a vinegar solution or simply use a deodorant. We have compiled a list of seven effective ways to deodorize your carpet. You won’t have to hire a carpet cleaning company if you follow the given steps properly.
1. Vacuum It Away
Use a vacuum cleaner to take out the tiny bits of dirt that might be stuck in your carpet. Most of the mildew smell is caused by the debris left in the carpet. If you want carpet odor removal permanently, you need to keep it squeaky clean regularly.
Keep the carpet in the open air. When a carpet is stuffed inside, the smells of the room are imbued in the carpet without you knowing. The first thing you need to do is open the windows and let the natural ventilation work its magic.
You can also use a dehumidifier to soak up all the moisture from the room and at the last step, vacuum the carpet thoroughly.
2. Wash It Out
If you have pets, the smell of their excrement might linger on even after you have cleaned it. The multiple spills and stains contribute to an amalgamation of smells. It is necessary to clean out the carpet after every few weeks to keep it smelling fresh.
You can use a scented detergent when washing the carpet. Brush away the dirt from the surface and clean each part with a hose pipe one at a time. Use brush strokes to remove the dirt towards the corners of the carpet.
Place the carpet in your yard or a place where the water can be easily drained. It is necessary to drain the dirty water immediately to avoid the build-up of a mildew smell. You can also keep a dehumidifier in your home to keep the air free from moisture.
3. Use a Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is the best choice for homemade solutions to clean out stains and take out bad odors. The first step is to take out the stain that is causing the smell. Mix white vinegar in water and spray it on the stain.
Once the stain dries out, you can use a wet cloth to wipe it off. After thoroughly cleaning your carpet, spray the vinegar on the whole length of the carpet. It is advisable to leave the vinegar solution in the carpet overnight for a complete carpet odor removal.
Vacuum the carpet in the morning and it will smell as good as new.
4. Baking Soda to the Rescue
Baking soda is the best option for carpet odor removal. The abrasive nature of baking soda removes the smell from the carpet in a jiffy. Just sprinkle baking soda over the length and breadth of the carpet. It will take out all the old smells.
The granules of baking soda react with odor-producing particles and remove the odor in the process. Make sure that you cover the whole carpet to get an even application. Wait for half an hour or more to let the baking soda do its magic.
Use a vacuum cleaner to wipe it off from the carpet and voila! You have a fresh carpet in less than an hour.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
If the odor does not wane away after washing the carpet, use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and a little bit of baking soda. Mix hydrogen peroxide with water. Sprinkle the baking soda on a small area of the carpet and spray hydrogen peroxide over it.
As soon as the solution dries up, check to see if the carpet is not discolored. If the tested area is clean and there is no discoloration on the carpet, you can use the combination on the whole carpet.
Wait for the baking soda to dry out completely. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the debris in one swoop. You can spray deodorant in the air on the carpet to make the room smell fresh.
6. Use a Foaming Shampoo
A foaming carpet shampoo is an effective way to remove the smell from the carpet easily. You can make a foaming carpet shampoo on your own. Take twelve cups of water. Add one tablespoon of white vinegar, half a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and three tablespoons of soap.
After mixing all the ingredients in a bottle and spray it onto the carpet. This foaming carpet shampoo works just like a synthetic shampoo. Spray the shampoo over the carpet and scrub the parts where the stains are tougher.
According to Deco Facts, after cleaning out the stains, wash it out with water and vacuum it dry.
7. Air It Out and Deodorize
After cleaning your carpet, the best thing, you can do is put it out to dry. Natural sunlight is the best disinfectant. If you want to air out your carpet, place it on a flat surface. If you have access to a flat roof, then spread the carpet onto the surface on a sunny day and leave it there for ten to twelve hours.
Make sure that the carpet does not discolor due to the intense exposure. Keep shifting its position after a few hours to avoid excessive exposure to a single section of the carpet. If you live in a rain-fed area, remember to remove the carpet from the roof before the sheets of water ruin the whole exercise.
After sun-drying the carpet, clean it up with a vacuum cleaner to take out any random debris. Place the carpet in its original place and use your favorite air freshener to give your carpet a pleasant fragrance.
