Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Removing common odors
• Method 2 of 4: Removing the smell of tobacco smoke
• Method 3 of 4: Removing Pet Odor
• Method 4 of 4: Removing mold odor
• Tips
• Warnings

Many people like soft carpets, but they can get dirty quickly. Carpets easily absorb dirt, liquids, smoke and various odors. However, if your carpet smells bad, don't feel like it's time to buy a new one. The old carpet just needs to be cleaned. You can get rid of the unpleasant smell with the help of available tools that are available in almost every home.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Removing common odors

1. 1 Treat contaminated areas. Before cleaning the carpet, blot any spilled liquid and wipe off any stains with soap. It is necessary to remove dirt from the carpet before removing the odor.
2. 2 Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Baking soda neutralizes odors. Take a large enough box of baking soda and sprinkle it in a thin layer on the carpet in dirty areas. If the baking soda collects in lumps, crush it with your hands and spread it evenly over the surface.
3. 3 Wait for the baking soda to work. It is recommended to wait a few hours, but in case of a strong odor, you can leave the baking soda overnight.
   • Keep children and pets away from the treated area.
4. 4 Vacuum up the baking soda. When doing this, keep an eye on the dust container, as the baking soda can fill it up quickly. Empty the dust container if necessary.
5. 5 Apply deep cleaning. If the baking soda doesn't work on its own, you can prepare a deep cleaning solution. To do this, mix 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup (60 grams) of baking soda, 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of liquid soap, and 1 liter of water. Stir the ingredients in an open container. Before applying the prepared solution to the entire carpet, test its effect on a small hidden area.
   • Wear protective gloves when handling the solution.
   • DO NOT put a lid on the container with the prepared solution.
6. 6 Apply the solution to the carpet. It is best to use a spray bottle to spread the solution evenly onto the carpet, but do not block the nozzle and make sure that no unused mixture remains in the bottle. The mortar should not be too much to keep the carpet from getting wet.
   • Remember to wear protective gloves when using the solution.
7. 7 Wait 24 hours. For the solution to work, it needs a certain time. Ventilate the room and keep children and pets away from it.
8. 8 Blot the remaining solution with a towel. If excess liquid remains on the carpet, wipe it off with an old towel. Then wait for the carpet to air dry.

Method 2 of 4: Removing the smell of tobacco smoke

1. 1 Take 2-3 bowls and pour white vinegar or ammonia into them. Do not fill bowls to the brim to prevent liquid spilling out. Place the bowls in the room with the smoke-scented carpet. While this will not completely eliminate the odor from the carpet, the liquid will absorb it and make it less noticeable.
   • Do not mix white vinegar and ammonia, as this will produce harmful gas.
2. 2 Keep the bowls in the room for 24 hours. White vinegar or ammonia will absorb the odor even if not applied to the carpet. Then pour the contents of the bowls down the sink or toilet.
   • Keep children and pets away from the vinegar or ammonia bowls.
3. 3 Treat the carpet with baking soda. As with other odors, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, let it sit overnight, then vacuum it up.
   • Keep children and pets out of the room during processing.
   • You can also use a commercially available carpet cleaner in the form of scented granules.
4. 4 Pour distilled white vinegar into the steam cleaner. White vinegar is an effective acidic cleaner. It kills bacteria and helps get rid of the smell of burning and tar.
   • You can also purchase a cleaning product. There are products commercially available to help get rid of the smell of tobacco smoke.
5. 5 Run the steam cleaner on the carpet. When doing this, follow the instructions for using the steam cleaner. If you don't have a steam cleaner and can't rent one, you can simply dampen the rug with white vinegar. The vinegar will dry and the smell will evaporate.
   • Remember to turn on the fan and if possible open the windows to prevent mold from forming on the damp carpet.
   • You can rent a carpet steam cleaner at some hardware stores.
6. 6 Let the carpet dry. Do not turn off the fan until the carpet is dry. When doing this, do not walk on a wet carpet.

Method 3 of 4: Removing Pet Odor

1. 1 Remove remaining liquid. Wipe off any remaining urine with a paper towel. If the contaminated area remains dry, dampen it with clean water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
2. 2 Apply green liquid soap to the carpet. We recommend using a green dishwashing detergent to remove pet urine from carpets. Apply a small amount of the product to a damp paper towel and blot the stained area of ​​the carpet with it.
3. 3 Apply baking soda to the affected area. While the carpet is still dry, apply a layer of baking soda over it. However, the baking soda can absorb moisture, which is normal.
4. 4 Leave the baking soda overnight. The baking soda and detergent will work for several hours. If the stain is small, you can cover it with paper towels.
5. 5 Sprinkle white vinegar over the dried stain. When doing this, do not remove the baking soda; it will react with the vinegar to form a foam. This reaction will help get rid of the bad smell.
   • You can also clean the carpet with a mixture of water, white vinegar, and baking soda. To prepare the solution, add one cup (240 milliliters) of water, one cup (240 milliliters) of white vinegar, and two tablespoons (40 grams) of baking soda to an empty spray bottle. This cleaning agent can be stored for 2-3 months.
   • If you can't get rid of the smell completely, you can apply hydrogen peroxide to the contaminated area. However, to ensure that the hydrogen peroxide does not discolor the carpet, apply it to an inconspicuous area first.
   • Enzyme products are commercially available that break down odors and do not require any additional cleaning.
6. 6 Wait 5 minutes for the white vinegar to take effect. When doing this, keep an eye on the carpet and keep children and pets away from it.
   • If you are using hydrogen peroxide, you should wait 10-15 minutes.
7. 7 Blot cleaners with a soft cloth. Wipe off any remaining baking soda and moisture. After the stain is dry, sniff if the odor remains. If the odor persists, you may need to use a steam cleaner.
   • If the carpet is heavily soaked in urine, consider replacing it.
8. 8 Use a carpet steam cleaner. If the carpet has become saturated with urine, it is possible that you will have to properly treat it with a carpet steam cleaner. You can purchase a standard cleaner, or make your own with white vinegar and water.Run the steam cleaner all over the carpet and wait for it to dry. You may need to repeat this several times to get rid of the odor completely.
   • If the odor has lodged in your carpet, try getting rid of the bacteria with an enzymatic cleaner. These products are easy to use: just dampen the carpet with the product and wait for it to dry.

Method 4 of 4: Removing mold odor

1. 1 Determine the causes of the mold odor. If you start to smell like mildew, your home is probably very humid. In this case, it is not enough just to get rid of the smell, as mold spores will remain in the carpet and continue to grow. Adequate measures must be taken to reduce humidity. Turn on the fan when you shower, open the window often to let out steam from the shower and when cooking, and use a dehumidifier.
2. 2 Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to remove excess water. If your carpet is damp, it can help dry it out and remove mold.
3. 3 Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar with 2 cups (0.5 liters) warm water. To remove mold odor, use a water solution of white vinegar. The water should be warm, not hot.
   • Do not heat water on the stove.
4. 4 Spray the solution onto the carpet. Spray the entire surface of the carpet. The carpet should be damp enough for the solution to react with the baking soda.
5. 5 Sprinkle baking soda on the damp carpet. While the carpet is still damp, sprinkle with baking soda. The baking soda will react with the diluted vinegar.
   • If the rug is large enough, it can be worked piece by piece.
6. 6 Wait for the vinegar, water, and baking soda solution to dry. This can take several hours or overnight, depending on how much solution you used and how well the room is ventilated.
7. 7 Vacuum up any remaining baking soda. Throw the baking soda in a trash can outside.
8. 8 Turn on the fan. To prevent the smell of mildew from reappearing, speed up the drying time of the carpet. You can also open a window to help ventilate the room.
9. 9 If mold odor reappears, seek professional advice. You may have damaged pipes or leaking walls, in which case you may need professional help. The sooner you find the cause of mold formation, the easier it will be to remove it.

Tips

• If you are unable to get rid of mold or pet odors with the above methods, then the carpet is badly damaged and should be replaced.
• To completely get rid of the smell of tobacco smoke indoors, you should also wash furniture, walls and window frames.
• DO NOT apply vinegar to marble or natural stone, as the acid in the vinegar can damage the surface.

Warnings

• Do not try to get rid of urine stains with warm water or a steam cleaner. The heat will absorb the stains more into the carpet.
• Be careful when mixing different substances. Observe the directions for use and wear protective gloves.
• Be careful when there are children or pets in the house. Keep them away from the carpet to be treated.