How to Clean Pet Odors From Area Rugs

Remove pet odors from area rugs with baking soda.

If your carpet has an odor caused by the pets in your home, you'll want to get rid of the smell in a manner that removes odor without damaging the carpet itself. Many carpet cleaners either contain harmful chemical ingredients or are expensive. Instead, use inexpensive homemade solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Broom
• Vacuum cleaner
• Spray bottle
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Sprinkle baking soda lightly over the entire carpeted area.

2. Push your broom down into the carpeting to work the baking soda down to the bottom of the carpet fibers.

3. Let the baking soda sit overnight and vacuum the next morning.

4. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar if any odor remains.

5. Mist the vinegar over the carpet and allow to air dry. Drying takes about an hour, at which time a strong vinegar odor will be present. The vinegar disinfects and deodorizes, so after the vinegar odor dissipates, the original foul smell will be gone as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Air out your house occasionally to keep rooms smelling fresh and to release odors.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: Deodorizing Carpet