Have you noticed that your carpet smells bad and you’re not sure what to do about it? Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ll present you with the best homemade and store-bought carpet deodorizers for getting rid of the worst odors.
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Different Types of Carpet Deodorizers
There are so many great carpet deodorizers on the market. But, I’ve found the best ones and I’ll gladly share them with you. However, before I start with my list, there’s one more step in the process of finding the best product.
If you’re looking for a good store-bought deodorizer, the first thing you should think about is how easy it would be for you to use it. If you’re used to products in the form of a spray, you might have a harder time figuring out how to evenly spread the powder deodorizer onto your carpet.
In case you opt for a spray deodorizer, there are a couple of different types that you can choose from. For example, some sprays won’t need any additional steps besides applying them on the carpet. They are easy to use, but, in most cases, they’ll only help you cover up the smell instead of eliminating it. So, they would be great for a quick fix every now and then.
In addition, there are specialized sprays that are made for the strongest odors. You’ll have to spray them over the carpet, and then rub them into the surface with a cloth or leave them for some time before vacuuming. Thus, they’ll require a bit more time, but they’re the best choice if you want a long-term result.
On the other hand, some deodorizers come in the form of powder. You should go with those if you think that you’ll have an easier time with a deodorizer that comes in a powder form. In most cases, you’ll have to sprinkle the product onto the carpet, leave it for some time, and then vacuum the surface.
3 Best Store-Bought Carpet Deodorizers
Here’s my list of the best store-bought deodorizers on the market. I’ve listed them by the amount of product that you get — from 14 ounces to 32 oz.
1. Carpet Fresh Rug and Room Deodorizer with Baking Soda, Honeysuckle Fragrance
Carpet Fresh came up with one of the best carpet deodorizers out there. Its Rug and Room Deodorizer with Baking Soda comes in a 14-ounce bottle and has a powerful formula that will get rid of any odors from a room in no time.
This deodorizer’s main ingredient, baking soda, is known for its amazing refreshing properties. This product will effectively remove unpleasant smells as well as any stains from the carpet. Furthermore, this deodorizer is perfect for those who want to avoid using harsh chemicals.
If you are looking for a deodorizer in a powdery form, Carpet Fresh Rug and Room Deodorizer with baking soda is a great choice. Since it is a powder, you should give it a proper shake before you open it to ensure that everything is well mixed together. Then, you’ll have to pour some of the deodorizer on the carpet as evenly as you can.
It’s best that you give the product five to ten minutes before you start vacuuming. In addition, you should make sure that your carpet is completely dry before you apply this deodorizer. It just won’t work as well on wet surfaces.
In addition, you can use this deodorizer on many different surfaces. You should try it on the upholstery, kitty litter box, garbage cans, cars, and even in your basement.
Aside from removing odors from the carpet, this product will also leave your room smelling amazing. Carpet Fresh Rug and Room Deodorizer with Baking Soda has a sweet, floral fragrance that resembles the smell of wild honeysuckle.
Main features:
- Honeysuckle scent
- Easy to use
- Multipurpose
- Removes stains
2. Arm & Hammer Fabric and Carpet Foam Deodorizer Can
Arm & Hammer Fabric and Carpet Foam Deodorizer Can is another great product on my list. It comes in a 15-ounce can and it will efficiently remove even the strongest odors.
The main ingredient of this product is the baking soda. So, you can be sure of its amazing odor and stain removing abilities.
This deodorizer comes in the form of foam. In case that sounds messy, you shouldn’t worry about it, because it dries out quickly. Thus, your carpet will be ready in just a couple of minutes.
In addition, you’ll certainly love the smell of this product. Arm & Hammer Fabric and Carpet Foam Deodorizer Can has a nice, refreshing scent.
Fans of multipurpose products will love this Arm & Hammer deodorizer. You’ll be able to use it on your carpet as well as for on sofas, curtains, upholstery, and anything else that’s made of similar fabric.
Main features:
- Multipurpose
- Foam
- Refreshing scent
- Removes stains
3. Glade Carpet and Room Powder, Lavender and Vanilla
If you’re looking for something with a strong scent that will effectively eliminate any musty, unpleasant odors, I have a product for you. Glade Carpet and Room Powder can have many different fragrances, and the lavender and vanilla one is my favorite. The scent is sweet and not overpowering, but it’s strong enough to last for a while after you’ve used the deodorizer.
A great thing about this product is the fact that you can use it on various surfaces. It works great for carpets and rugs, and you can try it on drapes, your car, and your clothes.
What’s more, Glade Carpet and Room Powder, Lavender and Vanilla is easy to use. You’ll just have to sprinkle it over your rug and wait for a couple of minutes.
Then, all you have to do is vacuum the rug thoroughly and you’re good to go. This deodorizer won’t work on damp areas, so make sure that the carpet is dry before you sprinkle the Glade product all over the surface.
Main features:
- Sweet scent
- Multipurpose
- Easy to use
Homemade Solutions for Carpet Deodorizer
Did you know that there are cheap, homemade solutions for deodorizing your carpet? If you’re more of a do-it-yourself kind of person and you’re on a budget, you’ll love these ideas.
Baking Soda as the Best Way to Get Rid of Odors
It’s no surprise that a lot of popular store-bought carpet deodorizers contain baking soda. This chemical compound is one of the most efficient deodorizers that will not only get rid of the unpleasant smell but also remove any stains from the carpet. It’s an effective, cheap solution even for the strongest odors.
How to use baking soda on the carpet
After being in contact with air for some time, this compound can lose its absorbing properties. So, if you already have an open box of baking soda that you want to use, consider buying a new one.
Before you start with the product, you should vacuum the carpet first. Baking soda won’t be that effective if you pour it onto a dirty carpet.
After you vacuum, you should sprinkle baking soda all over the surface. It’s best to have the whole carpet covered, so you should double-check if you managed to cover everything on the first try.
The next step is to use a sponge or a scrub brush to scrub the soda into your carpet. That way, you’ll make sure that the compound goes deep into the fibers. In case your rug is made of gentle material, and you’re worried that scrubbing it would ruin the carpet, you can use a cloth or an old t-shirt to rub the soda into the carpet.
You should leave the baking soda to work its magic overnight or for 24 hours, if you can. Then, vacuum the compound thoroughly and go over each part of the carpet a couple of times. You can repeat the whole process several times if the smell isn’t eliminated right away.
What’s more, in case you want to add a fragrance to the carpet, you can mix baking soda with your favorite essential oil. You’ll just need to add a couple of drops to the compound before you sprinkle it over the carpet.
A Baking Soda Mixture for Stronger Odors
In case you have trouble eliminating the odor from the carpet, you can mix baking soda with stronger ingredients for more effective results. For example, Borax will boost the power of baking soda. So, you should mix one cup of Borax with a cup of baking soda and sprinkle the solution all over your carpet. It’s best that you leave the mixture on the surface for at least half an hour before you vacuum.
In addition, if you want your carpet to smell nice, you can add a teaspoon of your favorite spice, such as cinnamon. However, spices can stain the carpet, so you should add them to the darker colored surfaces only.
Related article: Does Mixing Bleach and Baking Soda Work?
White Vinegar is Another Effective Solution
Another effective carpet deodorizer is white vinegar. You can mix one cup of it with two cups of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then, you should spray it on the carpet and leave it to dry out completely. Since white vinegar can’t harm your health, you can repeat the process as many times as you want.
I know that you’re probably worried about the strong scent that vinegar has. However, you don’t have to be concerned, because the smell will disappear as soon as the mixture dries out.
Aside from being an effective odor eliminator, vinegar is also great for getting rid of stains. I have an article on how to clean a carpet with vinegar that you might find interesting.
Using Vodka for Pet Odors
If you have a bottle of cheap vodka somewhere in your house and you don’t plan on drinking it, you can use it to get rid of pet odors. After your furry friend’s “little accident,” you can pour a small amount of alcohol on the stain and leave it there for ten to fifteen minutes.
It will help you get rid of any unpleasant smell as well as leave the surface free of bacteria. What’s more, since baking soda has great absorbing properties, you can put it on the stain if you want to ensure that the excess moisture is completely gone.
Use Onion for the Basement
Onion is another great solution for the toughest odors. It’s best that you use onions for basement only because they can leave a weird smell if you keep them in a room for too long.
To eliminate the musty odor from the area, you should cut the onion, place it on a plate, and leave it in the basement during the night. In case the odor hasn’t disappeared completely, you can repeat the process a couple of times until it’s gone for good.
Reasons Why Your Carpet Smells Bad
Some of these things are probably what’s causing your carpet to smell bad. Once you find the cause, you’ll know what to do to prevent the situation from happening again.
High Humidity
You’re probably familiar with the musty odor that’s a result of a high level of humidity in a house. The excess moisture can get into the carpet and cause the unpleasant smell.
The problem is, you’ll easily sprinkle some baking soda onto the surface and get rid of the odor, but the smell will reappear unless you get rid of dampness that’s causing it. If you’re interested in ways to lower the level of humidity, I have an article about the matter that you can check out.
Poor Ventilation
By opening windows and installing fans all over the house, you will ensure that your house is ventilated properly at all times. Ventilation is especially important for smokers or people with pets. As a result, the smell won’t go into the carpet and stay there.
Dirty Floors
Of course, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you should regularly vacuum and clean your floors. However, it’s normal to get caught up in everyday problems and forget how much time has passed since we last cleaned our home.
That can be an issue because dirt quickly gets into the carpet and it can lead to the buildup of odor. You can use a carpet cleaner to make sure that your floors are clean and that you get rid of stains as soon as they appear.
Final Thoughts
I came up with the best solutions for getting rid of bad smell, both store-bought and homemade. Hopefully, this article helps you find something that works best for your case. What’s more, you’ll be able to find the cause of your problem, and prevent the situation from happening ever again!
