Vacuuming is great in order to remove the surface dirt and debris, but odors are another matter entirely. Odour causing materials are often found much deeper in the carpet fibers right down near the padding. Effectively removing the odors will depend on the cause and the amount of smell that they are creating. Removing the odours from your carpet in most cases does not require anything expensive or exotic. A few common household items is all you will really need to remove most odors. Here are a few simple steps you can take in order to remove the odors from your carpet.
Air The Room Out
Face a fan at the carpeted area that is giving off the odors, and open up all windows. If it is only a light oduor, the source of it may simple just dry up, and blow away with a little airing out. If that hasn’t done the job or the odor is coming from a stronger source, then try the next step.
Vacuum The Area
Even if you have run the vacuum over the area before hand, try it again at a deeper level to see if the cause of the odor can be sucked up by your vacuum cleaner. The use of a strong vacuum is preferable. Really go over the area to see if that has any effect. Also, try taking the vacuum head off and use the end of the vacuum pipe for greater suction. If odour is caused by pets shedding hair in the area, this method should clear it out as well as the odor. However, if the smell still persists, then move onto the next step, and break out a common household cleaner.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has many uses, and removing odour is one them. Try sprinkling the area where the odour is coming from with the baking soda. Then use a brush or a soft broom to evenly spread it through the carpet fibers. When the Baking Soda disappears, add some more on top, and then let it sit there for up to 24 – 48 hours. In this time period, whatever is causing the odour to occur is going to be absorbed by the baking soda. Then after a couple of days, vacuum the area, and that should take care of the odor issue. However, if for some reason the odor is still present, you can try yet another approach.
White Vinegar
In some ways Vinegar is the opposite of baking soda, but it is also a very powerful cleanser. If the carpet oduor is deep, you will need to apply a fair amount of vinegar, but also keeping in mind, that you don’t want to soak the carpet. Let the vinegar sit for approximately half an hour so that it can really gets a chance to work at the odor causing agents. After this time blot up the vinegar with a white cloth or towel, and spray on some water to dilute the vinegar. Doing this will help the process along. The vinegar will of course has its own smell, but that should go away fairly quickly, and it should take away the smell. However, if that does not do the job, you have one final trick up your sleeve.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can damage your carpet, so just use a tiny amount at first to see how it goes. Have some plain water on stand bye to dilute and neutralize the hydrogen peroxide if you see any damage occurring. If it does no damage, use it in the same way you did the vinegar. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to call in a professional and have them deal with the smell.