Sandra asked: How can I get rid of a horrible smell in my carpet? A big storm went through and knocked out our power for a couple of days. I took all the meat out of the deep freeze, but didn’t even think about it defrosting until it was too late. In the middle of the night, the water ran out of the freezer and onto the floor. The deep freeze is in the laundry room, so there was no problem cleaning the floor there. However, the laundry room sits next to my closet wall, and the water ran under the wall into the closet carpet. I have steam cleaned the carpet, put baking soda on it and let it set overnight. The smell is better, but it still stinks! Any suggestions?
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Carpet seems to capture odors and hold onto them for dear life. These odors can be removed, and the time and effort will depend largely on the type and intensity of the odor. If the odor is strong, be prepared to use several applications and repeat the ones that work. Persistence is key. When possible, adding fresh air always helps to expedite the process. Below are several different applications, all of which will battle odors. Try each one until the odor is removed or lessened. When you find one that is effective for your particular odor type, repeat the applications until the smell is gone.
You Will Need:
- Baking Soda
- White vinegar
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Vacuum
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Soft cloths
Steps to Remove the Odor:
- Baking soda is well known for removing odors. It’s easy to use and effective for removing odors from carpeting.
- Sprinkle the area liberally with baking soda. For odors that go beyond the surface, brush the area lightly with a broom to work the baking soda down into the fibers.
- Sprinkle an additional layer of baking soda on top of the carpet. Thin layers of baking soda will not work as effectively. Do not be afraid to use enough to get rid of the odor.
- Allow the baking soda to set at least overnight on the affected area. Two days is even better, if possible.
- After 1-2 days have passed, sweep the top layer of baking soda into the dustpan with a stiff broom. If the baking soda was placed on a rug, it can be shaken off outdoors.
- Vacuum the remaining baking soda from the carpet with a strong vacuum. Do not vacuum the top layer first, as this can damage the vacuum.
- Smell the area to see if there is improvement. If there is, reapply another layer of baking soda and repeat the process. Baking soda does not damage the carpeting, so the process can be repeated as often as necessary.
- If the odor is not removed, vinegar can be applied to the carpet. It can be sprayed on the surface or blotted on with a soft cloth. If the odor is from a liquid that has been absorbed by the carpet, it will be necessary to apply enough vinegar to reach the source of the odor (keep in mind that it may have soaked into the padding as well), but avoid saturating the carpet.
- Allow the vinegar to set on the carpet for 15 minutes or so. The acid in the vinegar can work through the odor-causing bacteria in the carpet.
- Blot with a clean cloth to remove.
- Rinse by spraying and/or blotting the area with clean water.
- Press with a clean cloth to absorb any remaining water.
- Allow to air dry completely.
- Repeat as necessary until the stain is removed.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Hydrogen peroxide can also be applied to odor-filled areas. Check a small area first to ensure there is no damage to the color of the carpet.
- If the rug is small enough that it can be placed in the washing machine, it may be fastest and easiest to wash it as normal. Adding a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle will offer additional odor-fighting power.
- Steam cleaners can be rented at most grocery and department stores and can be used to clean the carpets more deeply than blotting. There are also odor-fighting cleaning solutions that can be added to the water for extra cleaning.
Rubbing alcohol is cheap and does wonders for carpet odors, especially those caused by damp padding under the carpet that’s gotten moldy. The process is simple, buy several bottles of rubbing alcohol from any store (the kind in the clear white bottle). Pour it directly on the rug or carpet concentrating on the areas where the smell or dampness is heavy. Then go turn on your air conditioner or heater to start the dehumidification process and make sure to leave the door to the room you’re treating open so air can circulate. The alcohol will seep down into the pad beneath the carpet and effectively kill the mold and mildew there. As an added bonus, alcohol evaporates MUCH more quickly than water so your carpet dries quicker and if any bit of moisture from the treatment DOES hang around for any length of time you still don’t have to worry since it’s alcohol- based and nothing that makes an unpleasant smell will set up a home in it. For persistent problems, a second treatment might be necessary, but it’s worked wonders for me in most cases after only one.
My toilet overflowed and soaked about three square feet of carpet, and I haven’t been able to get rid of the odor. All of these ideas sound great, and I am going to start trying again right away. Thanks.