10 Tips for Deodorizing Your Carpet
When you’re trying to keep your home nice and clean, one thing that gets easily overlooked is cleaning your carpet. Whether it’s the carpet in your living room or the stairs, we don’t always have the time to clean it — let alone deodorize it. From our own footprints to little children and furry friends, our carpets can quickly absorb odors, making your living spaces feel less inviting over time. There are several effective and easy ways to deodorize your carpet. To help restore your welcome atmosphere and get rid of unwanted odors, try any of these 10 tips for deodorizing your carpet.
- Groom Your Pets — Regularly grooming your pets with the best pet hair remover will remove excess fur from their coat, leading to less fur and odors all over your carpet. It’s important to have a consistent grooming routine for your pets to help reduce dander buildup and shedding because all of that fur and debris contributes to bad carpet odors over time. A little prevention can save you stress and lengthen the life of your carpet.
- Baking Soda — Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight. If you have pets or young children at home, make sure you corner off your carpet so they don’t accidentally ingest the baking soda. In general, baking soda is safe for pets and can help absorb odors. Once the baking soda penetrates the carpet, you can vacuum the carpet.
- Diluted Essential Oil — You can dilute a few drops of pet-safe essential oil like chamomile or lavender with water and then lightly mist the carpet with it to remove odors. Keep in mind that according to the ASPCA, 100 percent concentrated essential oils can be a danger to pets. If your pet gets them in their coat or ingests them, they may display symptoms like unsteadiness on their feet or possible depression. They might vomit or have diarrhea. It’s better to be safe and dilute the essential oils and stick to ones that are pet-friendly. Stay away from essential oils that are harmful to your pets, like tea tree oil.
- Vinegar Solution — Here’s another DIY tip: mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly mist your carpet and then, after a few minutes, blot it with a clean cloth. White vinegar is especially helpful for neutralizing odors.
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- Activated Charcoal — If you have a less-than-savory scent in your home or carpet, consider using activated charcoal. There are plenty of options available on the market, and you can place pellets or a whole piece of charcoal in a sachet or small bag over your carpet. You can also put small bowls of activated charcoal around the room where your carpet is, concentrating on parts of the carpet that are prone to unpleasant odors.
- Citrus Spray — Do a DIY citrus spray by steeping citrus peels in water and then straining the liquid. Use this natural deodorizing spray to lightly mist your carpet. Speak with your veterinarian first if you’re unsure, but citrus oils tend to be safe for pets.
- Enzyme Cleaner — There are pet-specific enzymatic cleaners to address pet-related odors in your carpet. They break down organic compounds from those nasty pet odors like their old fur and dander, and they’re also generally safe for pets and carpets.
- Carpet Powder — Before you sprinkle carpet powder on your carpet, clean your carpet with the Uproot Cleaner Pro™ to get rid of any remaining fur or debris on your carpet. Then, you can sprinkle your carpet with carpet powder, ideally one that’s pet-friendly if you have pets or hypoallergenic for anyone with sensitivities.
- Steam Cleaning — Sometimes, your carpet just needs a serious deep cleaning. You can use a carpet steamer to steam clean your carpet or even hire a professional carpet cleaner to help you deep clean your carpet. The benefit of steam cleaning is that you’ll remove odors and dirt without using any harsh chemicals.
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- Fresh Air and Sun — A little fresh air and sunlight will do you and your carpet some good! Allow a breeze to roll through and let the sunshine in by opening your windows so good ol’ Mother Nature naturally refreshes your carpet.
It’s time to say goodbye to unpleasant odors and hello to your revitalized carpet! A better-smelling carpet is one more step towards a harmonious environment and a revitalized living space. Use the tools available to you, like grooming brushes and dryer sheets for pet hair in your dryer. You may be surprised at how these little things can help remove pet hair from your furniture, clothing and, yes, your carpet. After all, less fur on your pet and clothing means less fur and less odor on your carpet.
