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.

Rebecca N.

6:30PM PST on Jan 29, 2012

I love using baking soda to freshen up my carpets! It works great and is much cheaper than other carpet fresheners. I fill an old carpet freshener container with baking soda and a few drops of essential oil and shake well to mix. Leaves my house smelling lovely!

send a green star

Debbie L.

4:17PM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Thanks.

Douglas S.

7:04AM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Thanks

Susan L.

6:51AM PST on Dec 16, 2011

This sounds great, but can you use this bomb with oil or gas heat? I know the flea bombs can't be used.......

JenJoy H.

5:41PM PST on Dec 15, 2011

My favorite product to date is Room Shocker. This stuff really works. It is so interesting because it works like a fumigation bomb, but for bad odors. This stuff kills the odor right at the source and the smell never comes back. You have to get Room Shocker to help you out with your odor problem. Check it out at http://www.biocidesystems.com/roomshocker1.html

Cheryl B.

7:03PM PST on Nov 30, 2011

thanks for the info

Danuta W.

12:46AM PST on Nov 30, 2011

Thank you for this article.

Rita W.

5:57AM PST on Nov 29, 2011

Thanks for the article

Michele W.

5:15AM PST on Nov 11, 2011

Thank you

Red S.

5:28AM PDT on Jun 25, 2011

Been using it for years. Will do whatever I can to not pollute the environment. Besides, I do not like seeing the big Corporations making money with products that are hazardous to all of us. Yes, I am a rebel, but in a good way.