http://www.care2.com/greenliving/baking-soda-for-carpet-odors.html
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.
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14 comments
add your comment »Thank U Susan Lander for the warning about vacuum cleaner damage. I used baking soda to absorb odors from mattresses - vacuuming it up - and after only three years of use my expensive vacuum cleaner's motor broke.
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If you don't want to put a new motor in your expensive vacuum, DO NOT use baking soda on rugs! The particles are so fine that they go through the bag and into the motor, causing a buildup which results in a blown motor. If you have a bagless machine, it will happen faster. My husband sells and repairs vacuums and can tell when he opens a machine if baking soda has been used. Find something else to use. If you just have a "smelly house" syndrome, you might fill a few bowls with vinegar and leave them to absorb odors. If it's pet odor, don't use anything with ammonia, since urine contains ammonia and you really want the animal to stop using the carpet, but using ammonia makes it more attractive to the animal. Pet shops and some vacuum shops carry inexpensive cleaners designed for pet odors, and PLEASE spend a few more dollars and buy something which won't destroy your vacuum, unless you hate it and want to buy a new one.
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This stuff really works! I have a yellow lab (still a puppy) that likes to do his "thing" on the same spot in my living room. After using this tip, my dog stop going there, it worked so well
that I guess he just can't find that spot any more.
I must say I was skeptical in the beginning but this "trick" really does the job. If you are looking for more helpful information on this topic, I suggest you'll visit this page at carpet
odors. Thanks again!
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an elderly person had an "accident" on the carpet and one spot on the mattress....not urine....Will baking soda help get this foul odor up or do you have other tips?
BTP
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Does anybody knows if dogs will be allergic to baking soda? I know baking soda works, but I am afraid of using it since my dog is allergic to everything.
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Could someone please explain clearly what is it that you actually need to do, is it just to sprinkle some baking soda on to area and hoover it up in the morning, is that correct the vinegar and soap bit I am abit confused with?
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I was skeptical, but so far it took away the odor!! Not completely though. I used a combination of the distilled vinegar w/dish soap, peroxide diluted with water then some baking soda sprinkled over the top. I can still smell some of the urine. I am going to give it another good dose of baking soda since I probably didnt use enough. I wonder if it just masks the smell or actually gets rid of the bacteria? Does anyone happen to know? Thanks.
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great tip, thanks!
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This works! If you have really tough odors, you might want to amp up the deodorizing by using the baking soda along with some vinegar, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide. There's a helpful recipe at How to Clean Cat Urine or How to Clean Dog Urine, depending on what you're dealing with.
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This works for real! I have three chihuahuas that pee everywhere, and this is the only thing that works! Thank goodness for baking soda!
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