How to Make Carpet Deodorizer

Carpets just seem to attract odors. Pet odors, smoke odors--even the smell of food cooked in the kitchen seems to find its way into the living room rug. If you don't want the expense or the pollutants that come with purchasing commercially-made carpet fresheners, you can easily make your own. This recipe gives you 4 different varieties, but if you prefer, you can just use one type of fragrance and make up a big batch.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cup baking soda
• 4 sealed plastic pint containers
• 1/2 cup dried mint
• 1/2 cup ground cinnamon (or 2 sticks)
• 1/2 cup potpourri
• Essential oil

Instructions

1. Measure out 1 cup of baking soda and pour it into a lidded plastic container. Repeat this 3 times, so you have 4 containers each containing 1 cup of soda.

2. Crumble 1/2 a cup of dried mint into one of the containers. Mix the mint well with the soda.

3. Stir 1/2 cup powdered cinnamon into another container of baking soda. If you prefer, you can use 2 sticks of cinnamon, but you'll have to let it sit for a few weeks before using.

4. Mix 1/2 cup of potpourri into yet another container of baking soda.Make sure you don't use any type of potpourri containing large chunks or pine cones--nothing larger than can easily be vacuumed up.

5. Blend a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil into the fourth container of baking soda. You may need to experiment a bit to see how much oil is needed to give the powder a pleasant but not overwhelming fragrance.

6. Seal the containers, then gently shake them to make sure the carpet deodorizer ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Let them sit for a few days (or weeks, if using cinnamon sticks) before using.

7. Sprinkle one container of powder over the carpet and let sit for an hour. Vacuum, and enjoy the fresh scent.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer to make just one type of carpet deodorizer, you should use 2 parts baking soda to 1 part dried herbs or potpourri.

• Other herbs you can use to scent the carpet deodorizer include dried rosemary and dried lavender.

• Remember to remove the cinnamon sticks before spreading your cinnamon powder over the carpet, as they may be difficult to vacuum up.

• Be careful about using any dark-colored mixtures (such as one made with ground cinnamon) on a white carpet.