How to Remove Odors From Carpet

How to remove odors from carpets.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baking Soda
• Clean Water
• Steam Cleaner

1. If there are specific odored areas of the carpet, first spray them with a carpet stain remover or pet stain/urine remover and let the solution sit for the recommended amount of time. Certain odors, such as urine, need to first be neutralized and this can only be done with a product that is shown to neutralize/remove ammonia. Many of these such products can be found at pet supply stores such as PetSmart.

2. Dissolve a 1/2 cup of baking soda (such as Arm&Hammer) in a gallon of clean tap water.

3. Add mixture to the the empty tank of a steam cleaner/carpet cleaning machine.

4. Clean soiled/ordored carpets thoroughly with baking soda mixture and steam cleaner/carpet cleaning machine. Carpets should be damp but NOT excessively wet.

5. Allow carpets to dry. If odor persists repeat steps 1-4. Sometimes multiple cleanings are needed to completely remove deeply embedded odors.

Tips & Warnings

• You may follow steps 1 thru 4 with an optional deep cleaning using a standard carpet cleaning solution.
• If carpet odor is due to pet stains/urine, first spray the area with an ammonia neutralizing pet care product. (found at most pet supply stores.)
• Open windows to help air dry the freshly cleaned carpet.
• Some harsh odors such as tobacco/cigar smoke can be impossible to remove.

[HomePapa]

on 11/19/2008 Thanks for the info. With Four kids, I need to do this often.

[soanyway]

on 11/18/2008 Baking soda...isn't it wonderful!?~thanks~

[RENorton]

on 11/18/2008 Excellent article. Very well-written and most helpful. Great tips. Thanks for sharing!

[MrBrett]

on 11/17/2008 Will give this a try next week! thx.

[AuntieAndrea]

on 11/17/2008 I'll have to try the baking soda next time I need to get something out of the carpet, thanks!