Removing Odors From Carpets

Carpets are one place that seem to get odors very easily. This often happens because various organic matter gets trapped within the fibers of the carpet and can leave it smelling, well, lets just say not so fresh. No one likes carpets that are less then their best. It isn't hard to keep your carpets at their best, but it does take a little work. Another great thing is that you can keep your carpets smelling fresh without the use of harsh chemicals (such as Fabreeze). It is inexpensive, easy to do, and well worth it.

Vacuum.
While vacuuming doesn't get rid of nasty odors that have already sunk into the carpet, it does get rid of solid matter that will cause odors. The more you vacuum the better off your carpet will be. This is especially true if you have an inexpensive vacuum because they have less suction power then a stronger one and don't get as much up with each pass. It is a good idea to run the vacuum over the floors at least twice a week, but aiming for more often then that can be a good thing.

Carpet Powder.
You can buy carpet powder at the store, but these items are full of chemicals and usually only mask odors without really getting rid of them. You can make your own all natural carpet powder which actually absorbs odors and helps eliminate them from your carpet. It is easy to do, inexpensive, and safer for your family.

1. Baking Soda- The main ingredient for your carpet powder will be baking soda. You will need about one cup for every room that you are going to sprinkle it on the carpet. Put your measured out baking soda into a bowl.
   
2. Adding fragrance- To add fragrance you will want to add three to five drops of essential oil to each cup of baking soda or add one tablespoon of spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ect).
   
3. Mix Well- Use a fork or a sieve to mix your fragrance product into your baking soda really well. You want all of it to smell good.
   

To use your powder use a spoon to sprinkle it on the desired area. Leave it there for a few hours or overnight if you can. Then vacuum it up. There are a few things that you should know. First, it is a good idea to avoid walking on the powder as much as possible. Walking on it pushes it deeper into the weave of the carpet. Over time this can be damaging to the carpet. Vacuum cleaners also struggle to get all of it out of the carpet which means that some can be left behind. Over time this builds up along with dust and dirt which also can get left behind. These things wear on the weave of the carpet. It is best if you only use the carpet powder once every three or four months.

Linen Spray.
Another great option is a linen spray. This is great for use on all sorts of fabrics, carpets, and upholstery. It is easy to make and you can choose to make a natural version or a non-toxic version. Either way you are introducing safer ingredients into your home. This makes it safer for your family, pets, and those who come into your home, not to mention the environment. Making your own linen spray is easy to do.

1. Get a clean spray bottle- It is important that you get a brand new, never been used spray bottle rather then trying to wash one that used to have chemicals in it out. You can get them for $1 at many dollar stores or you can pay a little more and get one from the cleaning section of Walmart. If there aren't any cleaning size spray bottles you can always get a 4-8 ounce spritz bottle from the travel section of the health and beauty department.
   
2. Fill 1/2 of the way with water- While you don't have to use anything but tap water, often using a distilled water will make the age of your solution much longer.
   
3. Fill almost full with alcohol- Here is where you need to choose the type of spray you want to make. You can use rubbing alcohol or Ethyl alcohol. This option is non-toxic and very inexpensive. Your other option is to use a high proof clear colored alcohol. This can be EverClear or Vodka. It is an all natural option, but more expensive and some people don't like the idea of using alcohol to spray down their furniture and carpets.
   
4. Add essential oil- Add about five to ten drops of essential oil for every 4 to 8 ounces in your bottle. This will allow your spray to have a good smell and not just the smell of the alcohol.
   
5. Let rest- Your linen spray should rest (sit without use) for 24 to 48 hours. This gives the essential oil the chance to add fragrance to the alcohol.
   

It is a good idea to shake your spray before use. This linen spray can be used generously on all fabrics. At first it will smell of alcohol, but that will evaporate quickly leaving behind the fresh scent of whatever essential oils you choose. It also kills bacteria, including those that cause odors.

Carpet Cleaning Solutions.
It is also a good idea to clean your carpets regularly. A carpet cleaner can be purchased for about $50 and can make a huge difference in keeping your carpets clean and smelling fresh. To clean your carpets all naturally add distilled white vinegar instead of the cleaning solution recommended by your carpet cleaner. This will remove odors and do a wonderful job cleaning the carpets without leaving harsh or dangerous chemicals behind. If you have really smelly or really dirty carpets sprinkle them liberally with salt before you begin cleaning. This will help get rid of the smells and dirt. Leaving a clean carpet behind. Doing this once a month will guarantee that you have cleaner carpets. You can also use the carpet cleaner to clean up spills, pet accidents, and stains as needed.

Having fresh smelling carpets can be done without expensive chemicals that are dangerous for your family and the environment. It doesn't take a lot of extra work and the homey feeling of a good smelling house is well worth the effort that it does take. With just a few minutes of extra time you can make your own products and know that your good smelling home is safe!

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