Did you know that humans are capable of detecting over one trillion different scents? Humans have a keen sense of smell, which is more closely linked with memory than any other sense.
Because of this, we all associate certain smells with certain things. Maybe the smell of fresh-cut grass reminds you of a particularly beautiful day at the park during childhood. Or the smell of peanut butter cookies reminds you of your grandmother.
When someone smells stinky carpet, could they possibly be reminded of you? If your home isn’t smelling its best because of lingering odor in your carpet, this could be the case.
Carpet odors can be a hassle, but they’re far from impossible to remove. To learn how to rid your home of this unwanted stench for good, just keep reading!
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Start With Baking Soda
Here’s a number one pro tip when cleaning anything in your home. When in doubt, start with baking soda. Baking soda is a cleaning staple, effective against most smells, stains, and spills.
To use baking soda for dry carpet cleaning, all you have to do is sprinkle a generous amount on the entire carpet. Leave the powder for at least a couple of hours, overnight if possible.
When you wake up in the morning, vacuum up the powder (it might take a few passes to get it all) and you’re done! That said, you should empty the bag or container as soon as you’re finished, as the unpleasant smell is now inside your vacuum.
Add a Bit of Vinegar
The only thing that makes baking soda even more powerful? Vinegar. Mixing vinegar with baking soda creates the ultimate cleaning solution.
Vinegar is particularly useful against the presence and smell of mildew, so skip straight to this step if you’re dealing with a mildew odor.
First, dilute your vinegar with water. A good mixture is one part vinegar, two parts water. For every cup of vinegar, add two teaspoons of baking soda. Spray the entire carpet with your solution, taking care not to soak it, as this will encourage mildew growth.
Shampoo Your Carpets
If your natural carpet cleaning efforts didn’t do the trick, it might be time to bring in the big guns. There are two options here. You can either purchase or rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional carpet cleaning service to do the job for you.
Going the DIY route isn’t difficult. Simply rent a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store and buy a shampoo that removes odors, then follow the instructions on the label.
To ensure that you don’t accidentally ruin a section of your carpet, it’s a good idea to test your chosen shampoo in an inconspicuous area before tackling the entire thing.
Clean Your Stinky Carpet to Improve Your Home
No one wants to come home to the smell of a stinky carpet. If the carpet in your home is smelling questionable, cleaning it can do more for you than you think.
You’ll be able to enjoy your home more and feel more comfortable and confident inviting others over. No more worrying about whether or not they’re going to notice the unpleasant smell coming from your floors.
Looking for more tips and tricks for deep cleaning every surface of your home? Be sure to check out our blog!
