How to Remove Odor from Carpets

Carpets are loved for their softness, but they can get dirty quickly. Due to their absorbent nature, carpets tend to absorb unpleasant odors from spilled food, drinks, accidents, and smoke. If your carpet has a bad smell, don’t rush to buy a new one. A deeper cleaning might be all that’s needed. With a few household items, you can eliminate odors from your carpet.

Clean the dirty spots. Before tackling the odor, you need to remove dust and dry dirt, blot any wet spots, and apply soap to visible stains. The carpet must be in good condition before you deal with the smell.

Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Baking soda works to neutralize unpleasant odors absorbed in the carpet. It’s recommended to sprinkle a thin layer across the surface of the carpet, so buying a large box for each room you plan to treat would be wise. If the baking soda piles up, you can spread it evenly with your hand.

Leave the baking soda on the carpet. The recommended duration is usually a few hours, but if the odor in the carpet is particularly strong, you can leave it overnight.

• Keep pets and children away from the area being treated.

Vacuum up the baking soda. Check the dust bag of the vacuum, as the baking soda can quickly fill it. Empty the bag if necessary.

Apply a deeper cleaning method. If the baking soda doesn’t work, you can create a cleaning solution by mixing 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup (60 ml) of baking soda, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of dish soap, and 1 liter of water. Dissolve the mixture in an open container. Test it on a hidden part of the carpet before applying it to the entire surface.

• Wear gloves when using this method.
• Do NOT cover the container after mixing the solution.

Pour or spray the mixture onto the carpet. Spraying is preferable as it ensures the mixture is evenly distributed on the surface, but be sure to keep the spray nozzle open and avoid storing the solution in a sealed spray bottle. If you choose to pour the mixture, avoid soaking the carpet.

• Be sure to wear gloves, especially when pouring the mixture onto the carpet.

Leave the mixture on the carpet for 24 hours. The mixture needs time to work, so leave it undisturbed after spraying. The room should be ventilated, but ensure that pets and children stay out of the room.

Use a cloth to blot up the solution. If any area is still wet, use an old white cloth to absorb the excess moisture. Allow the remaining dampness on the carpet to air dry naturally.

Mix white vinegar with ammonia. White vinegar and ammonia will break down smoke odors in the room, including in the carpet. Although this mixture won’t completely eliminate the smoke smell from the carpet, it will kick-start the deodorizing process.

Pour the mixture into bowls. Leave some space between the mixture and the edge of the bowl to prevent spillage. Use 2-3 bowls for each room. Place the bowls with the mixture in the room that smells of smoke.

Leave it for 24 hours. White vinegar and ammonia will absorb and break down the smoke odor, even if they’re not applied directly to the surfaces. Dispose of the mixture once the process is complete.

• Ensure that children and pets are kept away while using this method.

Treat with baking soda. To eliminate general odors, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, leave it overnight, and vacuum it up the next day.

• Keep children and pets away when using this method.
• You can also buy carpet cleaners that contain fragrant beads.

Pour distilled white vinegar into the steam vacuum cleaner. White vinegar is an effective acidic cleaner. It works to kill bacteria and neutralize odors from tar and tree sap.

• You may also opt for a commercial cleaning product. There are specialized products designed to neutralize smoke odors.

Run the steam vacuum over the carpet. Follow the instructions provided with the machine. If you cannot rent a steam vacuum, you can try spraying white vinegar on the carpet. The vinegar scent will dissipate once it dries.

• Be sure to turn on a fan and open the windows to prevent mold from growing on the wet carpet, if possible.
• You can rent a steam vacuum from a tool rental shop.

Wait for the carpet to dry. Turn on a fan while the carpet is drying. Avoid walking on the wet carpet.

Blot the wet area. Use paper towels to dry the urine spot. If the stain has already dried, moisten it with clean water and blot it with paper towels to absorb the moisture.

Use dishwashing liquid. Dish soap is often recommended for treating fresh pet urine stains. Pour a small amount of dish soap onto a damp paper towel. Dab the stain to clean up the urine.

Sprinkle baking soda on the stain. While the carpet is still wet, sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the surface. The baking soda may absorb some moisture, but this is not a concern.

Leave it overnight. Baking soda and dish soap need a few hours to work effectively. For smaller stains, you can cover it with a paper towel during the treatment period.

Spray white vinegar on the dried urine stain. Leave the baking soda on the carpet. It’s normal for the vinegar and baking soda to react and foam. This reaction will help neutralize the odor.

• You can also clean the stain using a mixture of water, white vinegar, and baking soda. Simply combine one cup (240 ml) of water, one cup of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda in a spray bottle. This mixture can be stored for 2-3 months.
• If the odor persists, you can try pouring hydrogen peroxide over the urine stain; however, test it on a hidden area first, as hydrogen peroxide may discolor the carpet.
• Commercial products using enzymes to break down odors are also available and do not require additional cleaning.

Let the white vinegar sit for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the vinegar as it works. Ensure pets and children are kept away from the treated area.

• If you’re using hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Use a soft cloth dipped in cleaner. Wipe away any remaining baking soda and blot the treated stain dry. Once the carpet is dry, smell it again to check for lingering odors. If the smell persists, you may need to use a steam vacuum.

• If the carpet has become soaked with urine, you may need to replace it to fully eliminate the smell.

Use a steam vacuum cleaner. If the pet odor has penetrated deep into the carpet, you may need to treat the entire carpet with a steam vacuum cleaner, such as a Green Machine or Rug Doctor. You can use a commercial deodorizing product or make your own by mixing white vinegar and water. Move the machine across the carpet surface and let it dry. You might need to run the machine multiple times to fully eliminate the odor.

• If the odor has deeply penetrated, using an enzyme cleaning product can help neutralize the bacteria causing the smell. Simply spray the carpet and allow it to dry, making it an easy-to-use option.

Identify the source of the moldy smell. If you notice a musty odor, it's likely that the humidity in your home is too high. Simply addressing the smell will not solve the problem, as mold spores will continue to multiply. Instead, consider altering your habits to reduce indoor humidity. Turn on the fan while showering, open windows to let steam out when showering or cooking, and use a dehumidifier.

Use a wet and dry vacuum to remove moisture. If the carpet is wet, a wet and dry vacuum can help prevent mold growth by removing the moisture, which creates a perfect environment for mold to thrive.

Mix 1 cup of white vinegar (240 ml) with 2 cups of warm water (480 ml). To tackle the musty odor, dilute the vinegar with water. The water should be warm, not hot.

• Do not heat the water on the stove.

Spray the mixture onto the carpet. Spray the entire surface of the carpet in the room. The carpet should be damp enough for the mixture to react with the baking soda.

Sprinkle baking soda onto the damp carpet. Once the carpet is still wet, sprinkle baking soda over the surface. The baking soda will react with the diluted vinegar.

• Depending on the room size and the quality of your spray bottle, it might be easier to work in smaller sections of the room.

Allow the vinegar-water-baking soda mixture to dry. This process may take several hours or even overnight, depending on how much of the mixture you applied and whether you used a fan to help dry the carpet.

Use a vacuum to remove the baking soda. Dispose of the baking soda in an outdoor trash bin.

Turn on a fan. To prevent the musty smell from returning, it's essential to speed up the drying process of the carpet. Depending on the weather, you might want to open windows as well to avoid a stuffy room.

Consult a professional if the musty smell persists. If the carpet has been damaged by water or mold, you may need to seek help from a professional. Mold is a serious issue that can become costly very quickly, so it's best to address it as soon as possible.

• If you are unable to eliminate the musty or pet odor using the methods above, it may be a sign that your carpet is damaged and needs to be replaced.
• For smoke odors in the house, you'll need to clean furniture, walls, and windows to fully remove the smell.
• DO NOT use vinegar on marble or natural stone. The acid in vinegar can damage the surface finish of the stone.

• Avoid using warm water or a steam cleaner on urine stains. High temperatures can make the stain set in deeper.
• Be cautious if you have small children or pets. Ensure they stay away from areas being treated.
• Exercise care when mixing cleaning agents. Always follow instructions and wear gloves.