If you notice your carpet smelling, it is because water or any other form of liquid has spilled on it and been there for a while. When you perceive the “musty” smell from the carpet, then it is time to get it fixed.
The options you can choose include using carpet shampoo, hydrogen peroxide, and white vinegar. Other methods include using baking soda and vacuuming the carpet. In this article, we walk you through the different ways to get this job done.
1. Locate the Source of the Musty Smell
The fact is that the musty smell is commonly caused by either mildew or mold. These sources also come about because of the presence of (excess) moisture on the carpet.
When you perceive the smell, do not be in a hurry to get it removed. Instead, start by locating the source so you can tackle it effectively.
Here are some ideas on locating the source of the musty smell in your carpet:
- Bend down and perceive different parts of the carpet. You should be able to find the part that smells the most. That, right there, is where the moldy smell is coming from.
- Check to see if there is a damp cloth on the surface. If you find one, be quick to remove it. If there is no damp cloth, then, the chance is that the water or any other liquid has spilled on the carpet and penetrated beneath it.
2. Make Sure the Area is Dry
Now that you’ve ascertained the source of the smell, the next step is prepping the area for cleaning. The goal is to make the area well-ventilated and damp-free.
Drying the carpet is important because moisture like water is the major cause of the musty smell in carpets. By drying the affected area, you have a higher chance of tackling the smell – and in time.
Here is how to go about it:
- Make sure that there are no places where damp items like hand towels and a water source like a leaking tap and condensation from your refrigerator. If there is any, it shouldn’t be close to any other surface of fabric, as that would extend the smell.
- Dry off the water damage in the carpet fibers, if any.
- To properly dry the area, turn on your HVAC, open the windows, or use humidifiers. You can also turn on the fan, and allow it to operate at higher speeds.
3. Vacuum the Affected Area
The second step is vacuuming the affected area. This is mostly done to remove debris, dust, or dirt on the surface. Your regular vacuum cleaner comes in handy for this purpose.
Please note that you may need to go over the process multiple times because the extent of the moisture might have caused some of the debris to be tougher to remove.
4. Treat the Affected Area with the Right Mixture
Have in mind that when it comes to how to get a bad smell out of carpet; not all mixtures work. For this reason, we highly recommend a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.
The ratio to use is two cups of warm water to a cup of white vinegar. Use a bowl to mix the two and when done, pour into a spray bottle.
Now, apply the mixture to the affected area by using the spray bottle to spray a light layer of the mixture to mist the area the musty smell is coming from.
While this is a good way to apply the mixture, you also don’t want to overdo it. The rule of thumb is to be careful not to apply an excess of the mixture as this causes oversaturation. In the end, you’ve added more moisture to the area, when you should be removing it.
5. Cover the Area with Baking Soda
Throw a copious amount of baking soda on the affected area. The effect of baking soda is to act as an odor neutralizer, further reducing the smell coming from the area.
6. Wait for the Mixture to Sit
You don’t have anything else to do than wait for the mixture to act on the smell. This can take several hours, but the longer you wait, the better. If possible, leave the mixture and the baking soda covering it on the area overnight and attend to it in the morning.
7. Remove the Musty Smell – with Hydrogen Peroxide
Vacuuming away the smell is not the best option at this time. Using hydrogen peroxide works best for this purpose.
Also, the use of hydrogen peroxide comes in handy if you notice the mixture of white vinegar and later, the addition of baking soda didn’t work. If you are considering this, then it must be used after the baking soda has been applied and used the next morning.
Here’s how to make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide:
- Mix one part of hydrogen with five parts of water.
- Add the mixture to a spray bottle and get ready to apply.
To apply the hydrogen peroxide solution, spray the mixture onto the affected area and make sure it covers the area in a mist form. It is also possible to apply the solution to the back of the carpet as a way of preventing the growth of mold and neutralizing the existing odor and mold spores.
You also need to give the solution some time to act. It takes about 3 hours. After this, get ready for the next stage of musty smell removal.
8. Foam Carpet Shampoo: Is It Needed?
The job is almost done, but there is one more thing – do you need to use a foam carpet shampoo? Well, it appears that you may need to use it.
The need is when the odor lingers, even after you have applied the hydrogen peroxide solution and allowed it to sit. But if the solution acted on the area and the smell can no longer be perceived, then, you don’t have a need for the foam carpet shampoo.
However, if you notice the smell still lingers, then you need to use shampoo to get rid of it. To do this, follow these steps:
- Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the previous applications of white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
- Get a sponge and use that to apply the foam carpet shampoo. Just like when using a spray bottle, you don’t want to overdo it as it could cause the area to become oversaturated with moisture.
- Now to make the carpet smell naturally, use the sponge to blot the smelling area with the shampoo.
- Allow the carpet dry before vacuuming again.
9. Repeat Until the Carpet is No Longer Smelling
You may be lucky to get rid of the musty smell after following the above steps. But if you aren’t successful on the first try, a good rule of thumb is to repeat the process.
You may not necessarily need to start from the first process. Reapplying the hydrogen peroxide solution and using the foam carpet shampoo later is a better way to tackle the smell.
Read: How To Get Mildew Smell Out of Carpet
Keeping the Musty Smell at Bay: What to Do?
You may be successful at “tackling” the smell if you don’t even have to do any work. The goal is to prevent the cause of the smell before it happens.
It could be as simple as preventing leaking pipes in the home and being careful not to spill water or any liquid on the carpet. If you spilled for any reason, be fast to clean it up.
Here are other tips on how to prevent a musty smell on your carpet:
a. Embrace the Use of Doormats
Having doormats positioned at the entrance of your home helps to capture dirt and other forms of debris. This way, you will have less dirt to tackle inside the home.
b. Regularly Vacuum the Carpet
Taking care of the carpet can also extend its lifespan and prevent moldy smells from cropping up. Regular vacuuming of the carpet helps to eliminate debris, dirt, and other forms of contaminants capable of triggering the smell in the home.
c. Dry the Wet Carpets
If the carpet gets filled with water, do not only rely on cleaning or dabbing at it. Using humidifiers, fans, and HVACs will help you get rid of the moisture in it in good time.
d. Make a Deep-Clean of Your Carpets
You also need to deep-clean the carpet. The situation calls for it when it has been exposed to excess moisture.
To make the deep-cleaning, you need to use one or more techniques, such as:
- Using a carpet shampoo
- Steam-cleaning the carpet or;
- Calling on the services of a professional carpet cleaner to do it for you, for a fee.
FAQs
1. Will Damp Carpet Smell Go Away?
Yes, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and water to remove the smell. Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide if the smell persists.
2. How to Get Rid of Carpet Odor with Baking Soda?
Sprinkle a generous amount of the baking soda on the smelly part of the carpet, allow it to sit overnight, and then vacuum away.
Conclusion
The steps discussed in this article are surefire ways to get the musty smell out of your carpet. If the smell persists, contact a professional carpet cleaner to help you, especially if the carpet is exposed to flooding.