If you’ve begun to notice a
wet carpet smell in your home, take it as a sign that your floors are due for a good cleaning.
Carpet and rugs have a unique way of adding a soft and welcoming touch to almost any home. Carpeted homes are wonderfully cozy and posses a simple but elegant feel. Besides the purely aesthetic benefits, carpet also makes a home feel warmer — no cold
tile on your feet.
However, when it comes to maintenance, carpet can be a real chore to keep looking and smelling fresh. One of the main problems facing carpet owners is how carpets tend to develop a damp smell if not cleaned regularly.
If you are wondering how to get rid of wet carpet smell in your house, read on for some proven cleaning practices.
How To Get Rid Of Wet Carpet Smell
1. Air Circulation & Fans
One of the first things we recommend for homeowners to do when they are trying to get rid of the wet carpet smell in their homes is to identify where the damp smell is coming from. Areas of your home with higher humidity can prevent carpet from fully drying.
Lingering dampness is often the cause of wet carpet smell, so if you have carpet in a humid area of your house, we recommend that you open the windows often to allow for more air circulation, or install a fan or dehumidifier.
2. Baking Soda + Essential Oils
Wondering how to deodorize carpet? Baking soda and essential oils are some of the oldest deodorizers out there and can be combined to work wonders on your carpet.
- Portion out a couple cups of baking soda into a bowl.
- Add between 10 and 15 drops of essential oil per every cup of baking soda.
- Dust a thin layer of your baking soda/essential oil mix over your carpets.
- Let the deodorizer set for a minimum of 15 minutes. If you have especially smelly carpet consider letting it sit overnight.
- Vacuum your carpets a couple times to remove the baking soda, and voila! The wet carpet smell will be gone from your carpet.
You can change the kind of essential oil you use to suit your preference, but a few scents we recommend are lavender, lemon (a hint of citrus floating about your home is lovely), eucalyptus, or rosemary.
Take into consideration whether you have indoor pets or a baby as some essential oils may not be safe for very small children or animals.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is another natural and very diverse cleaner. It can be used to
kill mold and mildew, and is also useful for lifting debris and stains from your carpet.
When making a vinegar carpet cleaning solution, you will want to mix one tablespoon of white vinegar per every two cups of water. Thoroughly mix the vinegar solution and use a spray bottle to mist the carpet or rug with it. If there are stains, spray the stain with your solution and use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the stain out of your carpet.
After scrubbing, place fans around the carpet to increase air circulation and drying time. Give the carpet time to dry before vacuuming.
Vinegar possesses antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic characters, and is one of the most versatile natural deodorizers out there.
4. Carpet Shampoo
Another common way to deodorize your carpet is by using carpet shampoo. This solution can be easily found at most grocery stores or purchased online. Depending on how bad the wet carpet smell is in your home, you may want to buy a stronger cleaner with a strong scent. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle when cleaning your carpet.
Carpet shampoo often works well when used in tandem with a professional carpet cleaning machine. You can rent carpet cleaning machines at most chain grocery stores.
5. Replace
If your carpet maintains its wet smell despite all of your efforts to get rid of it, it may be time to replace your carpet. Many manufacturers say that carpet normally lasts between eight and fifteen years, after that time it will be significantly less soft and show more obvious signs of wear and tear.
Besides the overall appearance of your carpet fading, a prevailing wet carpet smell can be a strong indicator that your carpet needs replacing. Persistent foul odors are often a sign of mold or mildew, making it a much safer option to simply replace your carpet rather than try to constantly salvage it.
Find a Reliable Carpeting Service Today
Here at Carpet To Go we offer high-quality carpets and rugs for your home. We promise to give you attentive service and our experienced opinion concerning the carpet in your home.
For more information
contact Carpet To Go today to speak with one of our professionals.
