Carpet Deodorizer : How to Deodorize a Rug Without Leaving Stains
In the living room, the dining room, or the bedrooms, a carpet is an essential decorative element that brings a warm touch to the room. But over time, with food getting spilled on it and the comings and goings of pets, these carpets become imbued with unpleasant odours that have to be dealt with. How can a carpet be deodorized without the risk of leaving stains?
Baking Soda : An Inexpensive Carpet Deodorizer
Baking soda can be used to revive and deodorize drab rugs and carpets, because it has a strong ability to absorb noxious fumes and even the most stubborn odours. Before sprinkling the baking soda, you should carefully vacuum the carpet to eliminate as much of the dust and dirt as possible. Then, generously sprinkle the baking soda over the entire carpet. Let it work for a whole day, or at least five hours. Then, vacuum again, this time to eliminate the baking soda residue.
If the odour to be eliminated is particularly foul, such as dog or cat urine, this method is recommended. In a bowl of hot water, add a tablespoon of baking soda and a small amount of lemon juice. Then, pour the solution on the urine stain and let dry. Once the carpet is dry, the odour and the stain will have completely disappeared.
However, there’s one little downside: baking soda is not compatible with wool.
Vinegar : a Stain Remover that Deodorizes
Economical and eco-friendly, vinegar is a must-have in your cleaning products cupboard. This natural descaling agent and disinfectant is also a powerful deodorizer that can eliminate sweat, vomit, and urine odours. It acts very effectively to remove the odours from food embedded in carpets, cigarette smoke, and pets, as well as all the fragrances that arise from little accidents: a spilled dish or glass of wine, a sick child, or a little mishap from your pet. White vinegar gets rid of all the most unpleasant smells. It also removes stubborn stains: just let it work for about ten minutes, then rinse with clear water.
However, vinegar should be avoided for carpets made of natural fibres.
Homemade Solutions
Besides baking soda, there are various inexpensive homemade solutions that have no impact on the environment. They help neutralize stubborn odours, such as those from cat urine, for example.
You can mix a cup of hot water with a cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of alcohol at 70°C. Then, apply the whole mixture to the carpet. Once the solution has dried, rinse it, then dry the carpet.
Another particularly effective solution involves mixing two tablespoons of baking soda, equal parts hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap, two cups of warm water, and a tablespoon of vanilla extract. This miracle recipe lets you eliminate even the most stubborn urine smells.
Our carpets undergo severe tests. They pick up crumbs, little pieces of food, pet hair, dust, and mites, and they’re also victims of our clumsiness. In addition to vacuuming them regularly, it’s essential to deodorize the carpets from time to time in order to clean the ambient atmosphere and maintain a fresh odour in the room.
