Secret to Good Smelling Carpet

Sep 10
09:17

2012

Ma. Theresa Galan

Ma. Theresa Galan

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Warm weather brings out all kinds of smells that have been lurking in our carpets: Pet mistakes, that well-worn sneaker odor. It can all add up to a less-than-fresh-smelling home.

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Between cooking odors,Secret to Good Smelling Carpet Articles pet smells, and the general aromas of day-to-day life, carpeting can get pretty, well, smelly.

Those sprays that promise to eliminate odors, leaving your carpet smelling clean and fresh? The clean smell went away as soon as the spray dried. Aerosol sprays that claim they will make your carpeting smell like apples and cinnamon?

The only problem with those was that, while they did remove the odors they left the entire house smelling like a cheap perfume counter for days afterward. Add to that the fact that kids crawl with chemicals.

Fortunately, there is a simple and non-toxic solution. Find out how to deodorize your carpets safely and effectively with baking soda!

Baking soda "adsorbs" odors, which means it takes odors from the air. It neutralizes acid-based odors in water.

Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight, or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) Redo the process if you still smell odors you wish to remove. Baking soda works like magic, it sometimes just takes time and making sure you are using enough baking soda.

This homemade concoction will remove odors, leave your carpet smelling fresh, is inexpensive, and is completely all natural. Want to learn how to make it? It's way tough, so pay close attention!

  1. Pour one small box of baking soda into the container of your choice (more on this later.)
  2. Add a couple of handfuls of aromatic flowers or leaves (see sidebar for some ideas here.)
  3. Add a drop or two of essential oils, if you want more fragrance. If you just want a light, clean scent, or if you don't have essential oils on hand, feel free to skip this step.
  4. Shake or stir to combine.

This is a very inexpensive solution, especially if you have aromatics on hand or can get them in bulk from a health food store or bulk market. The container you choose to store it in can be anything you want.

Why Does This Work?

It works simply. Baking soda is a proven deodorizer. It absorbs odors, which is why so many of us keep a box in the fridge. The aromatics give the baking soda a light scent once you combine them, so once you sprinkle it onto your carpets, unpleasant odors are replaced with light, natural fragrance.

Caution: While damp baking soda works really well for many odors, damp baking soda can also get stuck onto the carpet fibers and be difficult to clean. If you live in a very humid climate you might substitute a light spray of white distilled vinegar for the baking soda.

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