Wonders of Baking Soda for Carpet Odors

Warm weather brings out all kinds of smells that have been lurking in our carpets: Pet mistakes, that well-worn sneaker odor. It can all add up to a less-than-fresh-smelling home.

Fortunately, there is a simple and non-toxic solution. Find out how to deodorize your carpets safely and effectively with baking soda!

Baking soda “adsorbs” odors, which means it takes odors from the air. It neutralizes acid-based odors in water.

Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight, or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) Redo the process if you still smell odors you wish to remove. Baking soda works like magic, it sometimes just takes time and making sure you are using enough baking soda.

Caution: While damp baking soda works really well for many odors, damp baking soda can also get stuck onto the carpet fibers and be difficult to clean. If you live in a very humid climate you might substitute a light spray of white distilled vinegar for the baking soda.

Read more: Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Susan Lander L.

11:43AM PDT on May 14, 2013

I'm glad my comments seem workable for you all. Strangely enough, somebody brought in a very expensive (almost $2,000) vacuum which isn't picking up. My husband tore it down and found that the motor is almost completely covered in baking soda. They are lucky that they didn't continue to run the vacuum, or the whole motor would have needed replacing. My hubby is hoping that he can repair it so they won't have to spend a fortune on a new motor.

May 14
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Amandine S.

9:04AM PDT on May 14, 2013

Thanks for the useful tips ! I will need it... :P

Mark T.

2:56AM PDT on May 14, 2013

A useful product in many ways.

Duane B.

5:34AM PDT on May 12, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

May 12
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9:45AM PDT on Apr 14, 2013

Mark, that's a great odor absorber for the refrigerator or closed up spaces which have gotten musty (trunk, for example). But, I don't think you vacuum your refrigerator! I use baking soda in my 'fridge and it works well.

April 14
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5:01AM PDT on Apr 14, 2013

Whatever happened to the past time of filling a plastic object with vent holes in the top with baking soda and then placing said decorative feature in the fridge? :)

Aud N.

10:14PM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

April 11
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9:42AM PDT on Apr 10, 2013

Cynthia, I sent you a star. If you'll read earlier posts, you'll find that I've been telling folks that baking soda will kill a vacuum - for about two years. It appears that people want a quick fix and don't mind spending big bucks to replace vacuums!

April 10
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Cynthia B.

8:09AM PDT on Apr 10, 2013

Wow Baking soda is great for cleaning things but not worth blowing up your vaccum. As far as being healthy carpet should be pulled up and go with flooring and area rugs that can be beaten outside. Carpeting is full of mold especially if it's old.

Monica M.

7:56AM PDT on Apr 10, 2013

love using baking soda