Say Goodbye To Funky Carpet Odors With This Clever Mix Of Kitchen Essentials

Nothing makes you feel like your house is gross quite like a lingering smell, especially when it's emanating from something as large as a carpeted floor. Carpets are notorious for trapping odors in their fibers. Whether it's a result of mold and mildew, pet messes, spills, or just an aging carpet, that stink may be hard to deal with. There are all kinds of clever deodorizing hacks for a fresh-smelling living room, but if you want a solution you can DIY right now using items already in your home, a mixture of baking soda, cornstarch, and a bit of your favorite essential oil could be your best bet.

Each of the three ingredients plays an important role in making your carpet smell great. Baking soda is well-known for its ability to neutralize odors, which it does by reacting with volatile odor-causing acids and trapping the smells. Similarly, this makes an ingenious way to use cornstarch around the house, as the common kitchen essential is an effective odor absorber. When these baking soda and cornstarch ingredients are combined, you get a one-two odor-eliminating punch. Add the pleasant aroma of an essential oil, like lavender, lemon, or peppermint, on top, and your carpets will smell fresh. Before you start tossing the ingredients around, though, you need to know the proper ratios to combine and how to ensure that the mixture does not damage your carpet or vacuum cleaner.

To create the odor-eliminating mixture, combine equal parts cornstarch and baking soda with essential oils in a container. As a starting point, use ½ cup of cornstarch, ½ cup of baking soda, and between 10 and 15 drops of the essential oil of your choice. This amount should cover the carpet of a standard bedroom. You can distribute the mixture by spooning it from the container or, for more even coverage, transfer it to an old, cleaned-out spice container that will allow you to sprinkle the deodorizer onto the carpet. Once sprinkled, you'll need to consider how long to leave baking soda on your carpet. You should let it sit for at least 15 minutes, but the longer you leave it, the more it will deodorize. Have it hang out on the carpet overnight, if possible, for optimal results. After that, vacuum the mixture and enjoy your refreshed carpet.

Of course, before you cover your entire carpet, you should perform a patch test to ensure that none of the ingredients will alter the color of your carpet or otherwise cause damage. In an inconspicuous area, apply a small amount, and leave it for at least 15 minutes. If everything goes well, go ahead with the application. You should also know the risk posed to your vacuum. While some people have no issues, fine powders can get past filters and clog the motor of your vacuum, causing performance loss and damage. To reduce potential damage, make sure you only sprinkle a light layer, or use a shop vac rather than a standard vacuum.