7 Carpet Deodorizer Hacks to Get the Smell Out of Your Rug

• 21 October 2021
• 6 Min Read
• By Jaipur Rugs

Poorly maintained vacuums, not vacuuming properly, too much water, insufficient ventilation, and general poor rug care can also be the reason behind your room smelling weird all the time.

When cleaning your room, you open the windows, dust and sweep the room out, change your linens, and end it by spraying your favorite room freshener, but after all this, a foul odor still lingers behind. Do you wonder what could be wrong? Spoiler alert: it’s probably your beautiful handmade rugs. Be it accidental liquid spills, muddy shoes, or food crumbs stuck between the rug fibers, all these could lead to an odor that might prove to be difficult to get out of your rug or carpet. Anything from liquids to solids, if stuck in your rug fiber, can become a source of a bad odor. 

This guide will address all your rug care woes. From how to clean your rugs and carpets to get the odor out, we've got you covered. And the best part? You don’t need to spend a dime because you only require what you already have at home. 
 

We have identified the culprit; now follow these hacks to set it right. 

Baking soda 

Baking soda is the best solution when you have a smoky smell in your hand. Smoke is one of the easiest smells to get rid of. Just pour baking soda, a natural absorbent, into a colander and sprinkle it over the affected areas. To boost its effectiveness, you can also mix Borax with it. It seeps all the way to the bottom of the carpet, making it an effective solution. Walk around on top of the areas where you sprinkled the soda with slippers on to even the coating. Let it sit for thirty minutes, after which you can vacuum it up. This should take care of the smokey smell. 

The magic potion

One of the easiest solutions to keep handy in case of any rugs-related accidents is vinegar and water. If a liquid spill causes the odor, dry your carpet with an air humidifier or several fans pointing downward. Once the carpet is dry, mix 2 cups of warm water with 1 cup of clear vinegar and gently spray it all over the carpet or the affected area. Vinegar’s acidity dislodges the odor-causing elements and helps your carpet become odorless. 

One rug cleaning mistake to avoid here is to use this solution on a wet rug. It cannot be emphasized enough that for this to work, a dry carpet is a must.

Vodka 

Unlike you, the carpet will not wake up hungover; it’ll only get spotless, clean, and odorless. For Odors caused by bacteria and mold, Vodka is the best instant remedy. The alcohol breaks up odor-causing components, making it essential for rug care. All you need to do is to pour a little vodka into a spray bottle and spritz any areas that are giving off the smell. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then dampen it with a rag. To remove any remaining alcohol scent, use baking soda. 

The onion hack

That rug, kept in your storeroom or basement, waiting to see the light of the day, can only smell like the basement. If you want to bring it up and make it usable again, you have to get rid of the stain. And for that, yet another pantry essential saves the day- onions! Simply peel, cut it in half, and place it in the storeroom/ basement on a plate overnight. 
 

The onion acts as an absorbent and sucks the extra moisture off the air, taking the gross smell with it too. This process needs to be done repeatedly until the smell is gone. 

The mix-match

So you have a new furry friend at home, and you have yet to train it. And before you get around to doing it, chances are that accidents might happen, and you ought to be ready to take care of it before it becomes irreparable. What will you need for it? Pantry essentials! Just 2 cups of white vinegar in a bowl with 2 cups of warm water and 4 teaspoons of baking powder is enough to remove the odor. In case this doesn’t work ( which is highly unlikely), club soda can also help. 
 

Once you’ve deodorized, use these steps to maintain the freshness:

• Periodic vacuum: Something that’s good to know about rug care is you don’t have to worry about it’s cleaning as frequently you have to worry about your next meal. Weekly vacuuming of your rug should be enough to keep it clean and have a long life. 

• Allow ventilation: Let the fresh breeze come in and swoon away your senses. There’s no better healing than nature, be it for you or for your rug.

• Take off your shoes inside: You may have heard this multiple times before, but keep your shoes off your carpet. Go around, travel the world, let the carpet be the last place you bring dirt and mud as souvenirs. Let your carpet and your feet breathe.

• Use a dehumidifier: Dehumidifiers are a great way to keep moisture out of the air and keep your carpets smelling great all the time.

So, now that you know how to treat some of your carpet’s worst enemies, get going with the cleanup and let that carpet shine!

FAQs

How long does it take for the carpet to stop smelling?

The time it takes for carpet to stop smelling depends on several factors, such as the source of the odor and the methods used to eliminate it. For example, if the odor is caused by pet urine, it may take several days to neutralize the scent using baking soda or vinegar completely. If the odor is caused by cigarette smoke, it may take several weeks or longer for the scent to fade completely. The key is to thoroughly clean and deodorize the carpet as soon as possible and to continue to air out the room and vacuum regularly to help dissipate any lingering odors. With time and persistence, most carpet odors will eventually fade.

How can I deodorize my carpet naturally?

To deodorize your carpet naturally, try these methods:
Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda over the carpet, let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum.
White vinegar: Mix equal parts water and vinegar, mist over the carpet, let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot with a cloth and let air dry.

What is the best odor eliminator for carpets?

Baking soda is one of the best odor eliminators for carpets. It is natural, non-toxic, and effective at neutralizing odors. To use baking soda, simply sprinkle it evenly over the carpet and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, vacuum up the baking soda. Another effective odor eliminator for carpets is white vinegar. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and mist the solution over the affected area. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth and let the carpet air dry. Both baking soda and white vinegar are safe for use on carpets and can help eliminate a variety of unpleasant odors.