How to Get Odor Out of Wet Carpet

Things You'll Need

Wet-and-dry vacuum
Carpet shampooer
Carpet shampoo
Dehumidifier
Baking soda
Broom
Vacuum

Clean, fresh-smelling carpeting provides a safe place for families to gather.

Carpet that becomes wet, either from a large spill or flooding in the room, can develop mold and mildew if the moisture is allowed to remain. Mold and mildew spores quickly develop in wet, warm conditions and leave an unpleasant musty smell even after the carpet dries. To remove odor from wet carpet you must deal with the source of the odor. Proper supplies and procedures get your carpet clean as well as fresh-smelling.

Step 1

Extract excess moisture from the carpet using a wet-and-dry vacuum. Vacuum the entire carpet to remove water. If the carpet still feels wet rather than damp, go over it again with the wet-and-dry vacuum.

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Step 2

Shampoo the carpet, using carpet shampoo, to remove the source of the odor.

Step 3

Allow the carpet to dry overnight. Aid the drying process by opening windows, if possible, during the daylight hours. Run a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.

Step 4

A broom helps get odor-absorbing baking soda into the carpet fibers.

Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the carpet. Work the baking soda into the carpet fibers with the bristles of a broom. Let the baking soda absorb any remaining odors for several hours.

Step 5

The vacuum removes baking soda leaving you with a fresh-smelling carpet.

Vacuum the carpeting to remove the baking soda.

Tip

Hang small carpets outdoors to dry in the fresh air.

Be sure the underside of the carpet is dry also so mold and mildew can't grow.

Blot your carpet with a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water to kill mildew and remove its accompanying odor.

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