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How to Get Odors Out of Carpet
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
odor control
How to Get Odors Out of Carpet
Picture this: you own an upscale restaurant. Every weekend and evening, every seat is filled, and you’re popular in the community. But as time goes on, you start to experience some problems. Two weeks ago, a child vomited in the middle of the restaurant, and the carpet reeks. Because of this, combined with the carpet odors of spilled food over the years, people have started to complain.
This is fine dining, and you have an image to uphold, but the odors seem to linger despite all the scrubbing you do, and you don’t have the time to constantly deep clean the carpets. What can you do?
At State Chemical, we manufacture and distribute solutions to a variety of problems, one of which is carpet odors. We know how frustrating it is to deal with persistent, unsavory smells in your facility and how this can affect business.
To help you best eliminate your carpet odors, we will explain why odors linger in carpets, how to get rid of them, and the impact of clean carpets on your facility. After reading, you’ll better understand the root causes behind your odor problems and will know how to best get rid of them.
Why Do Odors Linger in Carpets?
Above all else, odors linger in carpets because carpets are absorbent. The soft cushioning is nice on your feet, but it also allows smells and substances to permeate through it. This means that smells themselves cling to the carpet, and so can unseen residue that leads to odors.
Common carpet odors include those of spilled food, vomit, urine, smoke, mildew, and pets. None of these are ideal, but when you have people constantly coming in and out of your facility, accidents are inevitable.
Just think about the kid who spilled hot chocolate in your lobby, the Boston terrier that got loose in the hallway, or the guy that walked through the whole building on a 90°F day without shoes on. These little moments add up over time, taking a toll on your carpets as they age.
Eliminating Carpet Odors
As frustrating as they may be, you have various options to eliminate carpet odors, with flexibility for preferences regarding speed, price, and thoroughness. Below, we’ve explained your primary treatment options:
Vinegar
White vinegar is a fast solution for mild carpet odors. Create a solution with one part white vinegar and two parts water and spray it on the affected part of your carpet. Give it time to dry, and as it does, the vinegar smell will fade, eliminating the odor along with it.
Vinegar is not a solution for severe carpet odors, but it physically neutralizes odors rather than masking them. And again, vinegar is a cost-effective solution at just $2–$5 that you may already have on hand at your facility.
Baking Soda
Another home remedy for carpet odors is baking soda. Sprinkle some baking soda on your problem area and leave it for 24 hours. It should sink to the base of the carpet and begin to absorb and neutralize odors. After this time has passed, vacuum the baking soda and appreciate an odor-free carpet.
Unfortunately, this may not work for more severe odors since it isn’t as strong as a chemical solution and cannot always remove residue like a carpet cleaner can. However, for mild-to-moderate odors, baking soda is worth trying, as it can efficiently and cost-effectively (usually $1–$4 for 16 ounces) solve many odor problems.
Carpet Odor Eliminator
Carpet odor eliminators, also known as fabric refreshers, are a thorough solution for carpet odors. Usually coming in a ready-to-use spray bottle, a carpet odor eliminator can be applied through spot treatment to affected areas. It neutralizes odors at their source and adds a pleasant fragrance to the area.
Carpet odor eliminators act as a quick solution when you’re in a pinch, and they’re stronger than baking soda and vinegar. Plus, they work to eliminate odors rather than simply masking them.
Since they don’t remove residue, they still may not be a permanent solution in situations where there is remaining residue, and they tend to have a slightly higher price tag ($5–$45) depending on the brand than previously mentioned solutions. However, for an industrial-strength solution to your odor problems, carpet odor eliminators are a quick, effective way to neutralize odors at the source.
Carpet Cleaner
The most comprehensive solution for carpet odors is a carpet cleaner. This solution cleans out all residue from an accident, removing odors by removing their source. Carpet cleaners ensure there is no leftover gunk to cause you problems.
Carpet cleaners tend to be more costly than the previously mentioned items (at an average price of $20–$100) and they take more effort to use (especially when they must be used with a carpet extraction unit, which may cost $30–$120 to rent for a day). Overall, they aren’t a solution you’ll have the time to consistently use for odor problems, but if you want to eliminate severe odors at their root for a longer-lasting solution, carpet cleaners are for you.
The Impact of Clean Carpets on Your Facility
You don’t need to be convinced that clean carpets are ideal; you’re here because you value your facility’s hygiene. But it is important to remember why you’re putting in the work.
With clean, odor-free carpets, customers will view your facility as more professional and trustworthy. If you’ve ever felt unclean in a strange-smelling business, you know why this is.
Scent is powerful, and it has a strong influence on memory. When customers associate your business with clean smells, they’ll be more likely to view you in a positive light. Just think about the way you can immediately recall the aromas of pastries when you think about a bakery—or how you can instantly smell popcorn when you think about a movie theater. Using a nice scent—or removing bad odors—means you can make the same impression on a customer’s memory.
Carpeting may seem like a small element of your facility, but details catch customers’ attention. When you give extra thought to the impact these details have, you craft a more memorable and comfortable experience for your guests.
Learn About Odor Spot Treatment vs. Ambient Scenting
Carpet odors can be widespread, persistent, and downright irritating for you and your facility users. Now that you know different methods to eliminate odors from your facility, learn more about odor control by reading about the differences between ambient scenting and odor spot treatment.
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