A carpet or rug that smells, even though you can’t see a stain — sound familiar? Odours sink deep into the fibres and the backing, and rarely disappear on their own. They’re usually caused by moisture, pets, sweat, or spilled liquids that never fully dried out. Here’s our approach.
What you’ll need
- A good vacuum cleaner (preferably with a HEPA filter)
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- A soft brush
- Optional: an odour-neutralising fabric spray
Step by step
- Vacuum thoroughly first. Always start with slow, thorough vacuuming — go over the same area several times, including against the direction of the fibres. This removes dust, skin, and hair residue that feeds odours.
- Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire surface. Baking soda neutralises odours instead of masking them. Work it in lightly with a soft brush so it gets down between the fibres.
- Let it sit for at least 4 to 8 hours — a full night works even better for stubborn odours. The longer the baking soda can sit, the deeper it draws the smell out of the fibres.
- Vacuum the baking soda back out completely. Take your time here: go over the carpet slowly and repeatedly so no powder is left behind.
- Ventilate the room well. Open windows or use a fan to keep the air circulating during and after the treatment.
- Check the underside for a loose rug. Flip the rug over and repeat the treatment on the underside too if the smell persists — moisture and odour often travel straight through the material.
A word of caution
Baking soda can affect the surface of some natural fibres (such as silk or certain wool rugs). Always test on a small, inconspicuous corner first before treating the whole rug.
When is treating it yourself not enough?
For stubborn odours — think pet accidents that have already soaked in, smoke smell, or moisture damage — the cause often sits deeper than a surface treatment can reach. Our professional odour treatment and carpet and rug cleaning tackle the odour at its source with steam and extraction, deep into the fibres.
And for the smaller, everyday odours, a dedicated line of products is coming soon that lets you tackle it yourself in no time. Keep an eye on our products page.
