Are your carpets smelly? Treat them with these all-natural remedies
Have you just cleaned your home from top to bottom but still detect an unpleasant odor? If the answer is yes, you should look down. Are you sure your carpets are clean?
Given their function, carpets can get dirty very quickly: muddy shoes, food crumbs, accidental spills - these are just a few of the ways that carpets can get dirty and start to smell.
A correct cleaning routine is therefore essential to ensure your carpets remain clean and odor-free.
But what if your carpets (or mats and rugs) cannot be washed in the washing machine? Below, we suggest some simple all-natural remedies to eliminate unpleasant odors emanating from your carpets.
All-natural remedies to eliminate unpleasant odors emanating from carpets
Freepik
- The classic remedy for cleaning and deodorizing the carpet is by using baking soda: sprinkle a uniform layer of baking soda over the entire surface of the carpet, working into the fibers with a broom or brush. Leave overnight to act. The next day, remove the bulk of the baking soda with a broom (or, better still, by beating it outdoors), then pass a vacuum cleaner over the carpet to pick up any remaining powder;
- To eliminate stains and the smells coming off them, prepare a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar in equal parts and spray it on the stained area. Then, dab with a clean cloth and leave to air dry thoroughly. Always test this remedy on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure you do not damage the carpet;
- Alcohol is also a useful remedy to combat unpleasant odors. Mix two tablespoons of alcohol in a liter of water and spray this mixture on the carpet. Leave to act for 15 minutes, then lift by dabbing with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
How to prevent unpleasant odors getting into the carpet
Prevention is always better than cure, they say: with this folk wisdom in mind, are several measures you can take to prevent your carpets from getting smelly:
- Taking off your shoes when you enter the house is always a good idea. As a minimum, take off your "outdoors" shoes before walking over your carpets: this way, you will prevent the soles from depositing mud and other dirt on the carpets;
- Ventilate the rooms: opening the windows regularly is not only good for your health, but it is also helpful in keeping your carpets odor-free (or to expel odors those that have already developed);
- Hang up the carpet outside: if you carpet can be moved, regular exposure to the air and sun can also be useful in combating unpleasant odors; fresh air will displace the odors, while the sun's UV rays will disinfect the carpet;
- Vacuum the carpet regularly - at least once a week - on both sides (if you can).
How do you keep your carpets clean?