Here’s How to Get Rid of Wet Carpet Smell
When humidity has taken hold of your carpet, the musty smell permeates everything. It’s an annoying thing to deal with – but not as difficult to get rid of as you might think. Depending on the severity, you can use household products to bring back the clean smell, or if it’s really bad, you may have to request the services of a carpet cleaner in Northampton. If your situation fits the former, we’ve got you covered with these tips to eliminate the damp odor.
Method #1: Baking Soda
Baking soda is a go-to for cleaning, and that includes eliminating the musty smell left behind by a wet carpet.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet, carefully spreading it with a brush, broom, or sponge, making sure that the powder gets deep into the carpet. Baking soda absorbs odors and moistures, making for a great solution.
- Leave it for a few hours, preferably overnight.
- Grab your trusty vacuum cleaner and use it over the entire area, vacuuming until the baking soda has been removed.
Method #2: Commercial Carpet Shampoo
If the first method doesn’t seem to do the trick, there are some great carpet shampoos on the market that just might. They can be found at your nearest grocery store or online.
- Buy a commercial carpet shampoo, making sure it’s the right one for your type of carpet.
- Follow the instructions on the shampoo’s packaging.
- Let sit and wait for results.
Method #3: Make Your Own Cleaning Solutions
If you’re more of a do-it-yourself person, you can make cleaning extracts with household items, like vinegar. If mold is an issue, don’t worry: vinegar is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic, making for a great solution.
- In a clean spray bottle, mix two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of plain white vinegar and one teaspoon of baking soda.
- Shake the mix thoroughly and apply it to your carpet.
- Once the mixture has dried, vacuum the entire carpet.
If you have 3% hydrogen peroxide hanging around, you can also use it to make a cleaning solution that works well in home carpet cleaning machines, getting rid of the damp smell.
- Mix four tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of dye-free soap, adding the mixture to six coups of hot water.
- Add to your carpet cleaning machine and follow the directions.
If you don’t have a carpet cleaning machine, you can still use 3% hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to clean your carpet by hand.
- In a clean bottle, mix a quarter cup of white vinegar with one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of dye-free soap. Fill up the rest of the bottle with warm water.
- Before using it on the entire area, test the cleaner on a small, hidden spot on the carpet, especially if it’s a darker color. Remember that hydrogen peroxide can cause discoloration in large amounts.
- Let sit for a while before blotting it up with a dry towel and wait 24 hours. If no discoloration occurs, it’s safe to use on the entire carpet.
Method #4: Prevention
One of the best ways to make sure your carpet smells clean is to prevent mold and dampness. Use these tricks to maintain the cleanliness of your carpet.
- Keep the carpet dry, as humidity is one of the main causes of wet carpet smell. Keep the room well-ventilated, using a fan or opening windows.
- Baking soda can absorb moisture and odors, even when not directly placed on the carpet. Keep an open box of baking soda in the room, preventing mold and mildew.
- You might find it helpful to consult a professional carpet cleaning service like ours. We can clean, and deodorise your carpet, as well as deal with problematic stains such as coffee stains, or tomato sauce stains.
- If need be and it’s possible, you can remove the carpet for cleaning. In extreme cases, this is an option, although you’ll probably have to replace the padding underneath the carpet.
- If all else fails, you might need to discard the damaged carpet. If mold and mildew have taken over the area, replacing it is the best option to prevent health issues and the damp smell.