How To Deodorize Carpet Naturally: 10 Effective Methods
Cleaners Talk is reader-supported. This post contains affiliate links, we may earn a commission at no additional costs to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Rugs and carpets trap all kinds of odors that you do not want in your house, especially if you have kids or pets. Every once in a while, all carpets need a good cleaning to remove unwanted odors and pollutants.
However, while cleaning and deodorizing your carpet, you want to make sure that you use cleaning products that are safe for you to inhale and will not ruin your carpet fabric.
Fortunately, there are many ways to clean and deodorize carpets naturally. Many of the items required to clean and deodorize carpet are probably lying around your house. If you struggle to clean and deodorize your carpet, you will want to keep reading to find natural ways to clean and deodorize your carpet!
10 Proven Methods to Deodorize Carpet Naturally
Contrary to popular belief, cleaning and deodorizing your carpet can be done by using common household items, as long as you know the right combinations. Here are 10 ways to deodorize carpet naturally:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the best ways to remove smells from fabrics. That's why baking soda comes up on this list a total of 5 times. Additionally, almost every home has baking soda somewhere in its pantry.
The technical term for baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and the qualities of baking soda make the solution highly effective at absorbing odors. It acts as a cleaning agent because it is a mild alkali and will not cause fabrics to fade, change color, or damage your carpet.
To use baking soda by itself, sprinkle baking soda all over your carpet. Leave the baking soda on your carpet for several hours for subtle odors and overnight for strong odors. When you believe it is time to remove the baking soda from your carpet, simply grab a vacuum and sweep your floor.
2. Baking Soda and Essential Oils
If you want to add a fresh scent to your carpet, add essential oils to your baking soda before you use it. Essential oils are concentrated liquids derived from plants. Typically, they have a strong, fragrant aroma.
You may choose any essential oil you prefer. But, make sure that whatever essential oil you choose is safe for any pets or persons with allergies. Some essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs, so do your research.
The most popular essential oils for carpet deodorizing include lemon and lavender. To use essential oils, put 15 to 20 drops of essential oils into a container with two cups of baking soda and mix well. Leave it on overnight or for a few hours and vacuum when done.
3. Baking Soda and Dried Herbs
Baking soda and dried herbs are similar to baking soda with essential oils. Dried herbs will also add a fresh scent to your carpet cleaning when combined with baking soda.
Several dried herbs that are best for cleaning and deodorizing carpet naturally include mint, lavender, eucalyptus, clove, oregano, bay leaves, and rosemary.
For this method, use a teaspoon of any dried herb that you think is appropriate and a half cup of baking soda. For a stronger scent, crush the dried herbs and mix them in with the baking soda.
4. Baking Soda and Borax
The combination of baking soda and borax not only effectively deodorizes the carpet but also deep cleans the carpet. The addition of borax to baking soda removes mold, mildew, and bacteria.
Borax is an acid that people generally use to kill mold or pesticides. If you notice a moldy smell on your carpet, borax will work wonders to remove the odor and the stench.
To make this mixture, combine a half cup of borax and a half cup of baking soda. Then, coat your carpet with the mixture and leave it on the floor for an hour. Remove the mixture with a vacuum.
5. Baking Soda and White Vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar are the last combinations on this list that includes baking soda. Adding white vinegar to the mix will clarify the cleaning and deodorizing properties of baking soda.
For this combination, you will need a spray bottle. Put one cup of vinegar, two cups of warm water, and two teaspoons of baking soda into the bottle. You can spray the mixture all over the carpet. There is no need to vacuum after using baking soda and white vinegar since baking soda dissolves in liquids.
6. Carpet Shampoo
Carpets with persistent odors may need some carpet shampoo in the mix. Usually, carpet shampoos work the best with a carpet cleaner machine. A carpet cleaner is particularly effective since they spray fluids deep into the fibers of carpets. If you want to be eco-friendly, however, choose one with natural ingredients.
7. Enzyme Spray
Pet waste has a foul stench that is hard to extract from your carpet if you have an accident-prone pet. An enzyme spray is the best approach to get rid of pet waste smells.
A few spritz can safely and quickly remove pet urine, feces, and vomit on a variety of surfaces including carpet, upholstery, bedding, fabric toys, clothing, or other water-safe surfaces in your home. Enzyme sprays can be found at any home improvement or supply store.
Enzymes let bacteria feed on pet blood, vomit, urine, and excrement faster using these cleaners. This particular enzyme spray has a 3-in-1 sprayer that can mist, foam, or stream the solution onto any surface. To use the enzyme spray, follow the instructions on the label.
8. White Vinegar
Generally, if your carpet smells like mold, your carpet likely has mildew build-up. Fortunately, no harsh chemicals are required. Vinegar is a cost-effective solution to remove odors from your carpet. As previously mentioned, white vinegar effectively deodorizes and cleans carpets.
To get clear of the odor, however, you must first eliminate the mildew.
In a spray bottle, combine one cup of vinegar with two cups of warm water. Allow the carpet to air dry after spraying it. As the mixture dries, the strong vinegar fragrance will fade.
Related: How to mop floors with vinegar
9. Vodka
Believe it or not, vodka is an excellent liquid for removing odors and stains from fabrics. After treating your carpet, spritz it with vodka to remove any remaining stain or odor.
To use vodka as a deodorizer and cleaner, pour vodka into a spray bottle and spray your carpet. Let the vodka spray sit on your carpet for about 15 minutes. Then, use paper towels to remove any leftovers.
You may also use baking soda to remove any moisture left behind.
10. Steam Vapor
Unfortunately, most people do not have steam vapors off-hand. However, if you do, steam vapors are great for removing odors from carpets. If you have the means, we recommend investing in a household steam cleaner.
Final Thoughts
Carpet smells and dirt-strewn carpets can be aggravating. However, there are several simple solutions to deodorize carpets and get rid of the foul odor and filth. Depending on what produced the carpet stench will determine how you will deodorize your carpet.
The good news is that there are plenty of natural carpet cleaning solutions out there for everyone to try. Most of the time, all you have to do is rummage through your pantry!
Related articles: