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Wonders of Baking Soda for Carpet Odors

posted by Annie B. Bond Oct 10, 2000 4:31 am
Wonders of Baking Soda for Carpet Odors
12 comments

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.

More on Non-Toxic Cleaning (145 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3249 articles available)

12 comments

12 comments

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12 Comments       add a comment »
Niv O.
  • Niv O. says
  • Jun 7, 2009 9:15 PM

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!

Bettie P.

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

Monica P
  • Monica P says
  • Jun 23, 2008 11:22 AM

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.

Nusrat F.

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?

Elizabeth Catania

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.

Khulood A.

great tip, thanks!

Amber Luck

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.

Adrian Diaz

This works for real! I have three chihuahuas that pee everywhere, and this is the only thing that works! Thank goodness for baking soda!

Adrian Diaz

Isnt there a baking soda specifically made for carpet cleaning, or does plain baking soday enough?

Annie Bond

This is a graet tip!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.--Annie

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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