How to Neutralize Odors in Carpet
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Baking soda has many uses throughout your home. It is great for absorbing odors of all kinds. This DIY odor absorber is made from baking soda and can be placed in any room of your home. Here are some of my favorite tips for using baking soda to get rid of carpet odor.
You can use baking soda to remove all different types of odors from carpets, including cat and dog urine odors.
Before applying baking soda to your carpet, vacuum the carpet well to remove any loose debris in the carpet. Sprinkle baking soda lightly over the area where you want to neutralize the odor. Make sure to use a fresh box of baking soda. An already open box may already have absorbed odors from other items, making the baking soda less effective.
How to Get Rid of Carpet Odor with Baking Soda
If you need to deodorize a large area of carpet, you may want to apply the baking soda to the carpet in sections. This will make access to the area easier if necessary. If your carpet has long fibers, you may want to work the baking soda into the carpet with a good scrub brush. This will help make sure the baking soda completely penetrates the carpet.
It is best to let the baking soda sit on the carpet for a minimum of a couple of hours. You can even let it sit on the carpet overnight. The longer the baking soda is on the carpet the longer it has to absorb the odor.
The next day vacuum up the baking soda. Vacuum slowly and thoroughly, making sure to vacuum up all of the baking soda.
If your carpet still smells like cat pee or other odor after cleaning, then repeat the process again. The baking soda can only absorb so much odor, so if the smell is bad, it may take more than one application to remove the smell.
Baking Soda Carpet Freshener
If you are wanting to deodorize your carpet as well as eliminate carpet odors, Arm & Hammer sells a Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator that is made specially for removing pet odors from carpet. It also has a fresh scent to help deodorize and freshen your carpet.
Related Article: Say Goodbye to Old Cat Urine Odor with These Home Remedies
Does Baking Soda Ruin Your Vacuum?
Vacuuming up powder of any kind, whether baking soda or any other powder carpet freshener can be harmful to some vacuum cleaners. It is best not to use attachments to vacuum up baking soda, and it is better to use a vacuum that uses a bag rather than using a bag-less vacuum.
Baking soda should not be used often to clean your carpet, and it is a good idea to empty and clean your vacuum after you have vacuumed up the baking soda so that it does not clog your vacuum.
Related Article: How to Remove Carpet Indentations
Does Baking Soda Stain Carpet?
No, baking soda will not stain your carpet, but it can be a little difficult to remove if you have a large clump of it that was wet and then dried on the carpet. To remove the baking soda, make a mixture of half water and half white vinegar.
Apply the vinegar mixture to the baking soda and let it sit. The vinegar should dissolve the baking soda. Wipe away with a damp rag.
Pet Hair Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
If you are looking for a vacuum that is made specially for vacuuming up pet hair, then check out this Bissell PowerGlide Pet Hair Bagless Vacuum Cleaner. It works great on area rugs, bare floors, carpet, sealed hard floors, low pile carpet, pet beds, stairs, upholstery, and more. Its smart seal allergen system helps capture dust and allergens inside the vacuum while the optional Febreze pet odor eliminator filter eliminates pet odors. Read the reviews.
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I was poisoned on formaldehyde years ago and left chemically sensitive, this problem has made commercial carpet shampoos toxic to me. I’ve moved into an apartment with such smells in the carpet. I covered the carpet with baking soda and walked it in to make sure it covered well and did take the smell away. But I’m told that now I must vacuum the helpful baking soda out of my carpet. I wonder if this is really necessary to vacuum the baking soda out of the carpet or is it ok to walk it in well and leave it?
I was just thinking this morning that I need to do this. I’ve changed too many diapers on the carpet and it’s starting to smell yucky. Just found your blog thru Pinterest and I’ll be coming back.