Smell of tobacco or musty, pets, dust and dirt, domestic incidents… We don’t always know how to remove foul odors retained in a carpet. And as a result, the bad smell can eventually be felt throughout the room. If cleaning it will have a deodorizing effect, other actions allow you to have a good smell without necessarily washing it. Here are some grandmother’s tips for deodorizing your carpet quickly and effectively.
And of course, it also works on stubborn bad odors embedded in the carpet or sofa!
1) White vinegar to eliminate bad odors
White vinegar has a cleaning effect to which are added powerful deodorizing powers. This two-in-one is therefore excellent for masking the odor of rugs, carpets and textiles. To carry out this little wash and remove the odor, nothing complicated: start by mixing equal parts hot water and vinegar. You can then spray this mixture and let it dry for several hours. Finish by vacuuming and take care to ventilate the room. This will help chase away any lingering odors!
2) Baking soda against bad odors
This natural product is very effective for absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors such as the smell of cat urine or to combat garbage and fridge odors. Before using the baking soda, vacuum thoroughly to remove any crumbs and dust. Then, you can sprinkle this natural product over the entire surface to be treated. Leave it to act for several hours, or even overnight, before vacuuming up the powder with the vacuum cleaner.
Pour bring a nice smell of freshness and lightly perfume the carpet, you can mix this powder with a few cloves, lemon peels or aromatic herbs and plants (lavender, mint, thyme, rosemary, etc.). A few drops of essential oil can also be added to the bicarbonate: eucalyptus, cedar, lavender, lemon, etc.
3) Sommières soil to deodorize your carpet
The land of Sommières has a fort absorbent and stain removing power. It is often used on oil stains, but you can also use it on your carpet to deodorize it thanks to its odor destroying effect. To do this, start by buying this clay powder in an organic store or in the household products section of DIY stores. Then sprinkle it on the carpet and leave it on overnight if possible. All you have to do is vacuum in the early morning to permanently sanitize your favorite carpet!
4) Washing powder to reduce odors
Unless it is homemade, washing powder is usually less natural and economical than previous solutions. However, it presents the advantage of smelling goodwhich will help deodorize the carpet. It can also be replaced by baby talcum powder which has the same deodorizing properties. Here, we will proceed as with sodium bicarbonate: sprinkle, leave to act for several hours and vacuum!
To avoid having to deodorize it, here is how to prevent bad odors from forming on a carpet
To avoid the formation of bad odors on a carpet, it is above all very important to ventilate regularly. Indeed, air circulation is crucial to avoid the accumulation of moisture in the fibers of the carpet, especially in poorly ventilated rooms. Remember to open windows regularly to maintain a dry and ventilated environment. To go further, you can even expose the carpet to the Sun from time to time. If possible, take your rug out into the open air so it gets some sunlight, which helps eliminate bacteria and moisture built up in its fibers. And no need to leave it for hours: a short exposure is sufficient to air and deodorize the carpet without risking discoloration.
Moreover, avoid walking barefoot on it too much. Bare feet leave residue of perspiration and sebum on the carpet, which inadvertently promotes odors in the long term. Prefer to wear dedicated socks or slippers to limit deposits. Also avoid walking on it with outdoor shoes.as you may end up with stubborn stains and moisture. To avoid dirt, shoes should never enter the house anyway!
Regular maintenance to help deodorize a carpet
While good cleaning and the deodorizing tips presented in this article are excellent for a smelly carpet, the best thing is to prevent problems and the need for major maintenance. Have you spilled something on it, especially a liquid? In the event of an incident, it is important tomop up any spilled liquid immediatelybecause damp carpets easily become a source of bad odors. Rapid absorption thus prevents the accumulation of moisture in the fibers. If necessary, use Sommières soil before vacuuming to absorb moisture. Also do not hesitate to use a hair dryer to speed up drying and limit the phenomenon of maceration.
But above all, you will need vacuum frequently. Vacuuming once or twice a week removes dust, debris and hair that can retain odors. If necessary, sprinkle a little baking soda or talcum powder beforehand, leave for a little and vacuum to eliminate odors before they can take hold.
These preventive actions will effectively limit the formation of bad odors by keeping your carpet clean and fresh.