Why Does My Carpet Smell?
“What’s that smell?” is not something you want to hear in your home. If you’ve cleaned everything, and there is still a smell, it’s time to face the last possibility: the smell is in your carpets or rugs. Knowing why to avoid the smell from happening again and how to get rid of the smells are the keys to refreshing your home.
So, what is that smell?
Carpets are notorious for soaking up and keeping smells that are in the air or fall onto the carpet.
Pets
Anyone with pets knows that they can stink. Between potty and sick messes to outdoor and grooming scents, there are plenty of smells that get into the carpets. As your pets walk, lay down, and make a mess, they also create smells in your carpets.
Moisture/Mold
Aside from holding onto smells, carpets also hold onto any moisture in the air. High humidity can be trapped in your carpets, creating a damp environment, perfect for mold or mildew. Mold and mildew give off a smell that is very unpleasant, but it is also dangerous and can lead to sickness. Cleaning the affected areas is only the start to stop or prevent mold. Once the area is cleaned and deodorized, be sure to dry the carpets and have a dehumidifier to prevent further moisture and mold from getting back into the fibers.
Spills/Stains
Accidents happen, but that doesn’t mean that your carpets don’t pay the price. Spilling food, drinks, and other liquids can leave a smell on your carpets. It may not smell terrible right away, but time and the accumulation of spills create a stink.
Smells in the air
The smells that linger around carpets also can get trapped in the fibers. Any kind of smoke and cooking smells sink into the fibers and slowly release over time. New carpets also have their own smell from the chemicals used to make them, making airing out rooms with new carpets important.
Age
The older a carpet is, the more smells it can take in. Not only that, but older carpets start to break down. Fibers breaking down can release the old smells that weren’t properly cleaned out or buried too deep to have been properly cleaned out before. In this case, it may be time to replace your carpets, but there are other solutions for the other causes of smelly carpets.
How to get rid of the smell in your carpets
Depending on the smell, there are different ways to get rid of them or prevent them from settling into the carpets.
Clean messes right away
Pet stains and spills are best cleaned as soon as they happen. Check out our guide for removing stains in carpets to see the best strategy to get rid of all of the stains in your carpet. Cleaning these right away prevents smells from settling deep in the carpets and coming back later to haunt your home.
Regular cleaning
Regularly vacuuming and washing your carpets keeps smells that are in the air in check. It is recommended to vacuum your carpets once a week to remove dirt and dust, but it also helps remove and other things trapped in your carpets that give off a smell. Washing your carpets should be done once or twice a year for the maximum amount of freshness that lasts during the ins and outs of summer and the more time indoors during the winter.
Deodorize with DIY solutions
Along with vacuuming, there are ways to deodorize your carpets, including DIY solutions. After a good cleaning, apply deodorizer and vacuum after 30 minutes of sitting on the carpet. For those into doing it yourself, there are a couple of ways to deodorize. Baking soda is a great option to sprinkle over your carpets. Another option is to mix white vinegar and water to spray on your carpets. This option is better for smells caused by moisture, but remember to fan the area to dry.
Professional carpet cleaning
A professional carpet cleaning is like a fresh start. Professional carpet cleaners can get deep into the carpets to clean and deodorize. This is a great way to wash your carpets, taking one big step off your plate for the cleanest of carpets.
The time to get professional carpet cleaning before the winter is now. Request a quote from us to get started restoring your carpets to a fresh and healthy state.