Is your carpet starting to smell a little, well, funky? We’ve all been there – life gets busy and suddenly that high traffic area is less than fresh. But before you reach for the chemical-laden store-bought carpet deodorizers, why not try making your own with simple natural ingredients you may already have at home?
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As a professional organizer and decluttering expert, I’m passionate about living a natural, eco-friendly lifestyle. And let’s be honest – who wants to breathe in harsh chemicals day in and day out? Not me! I much prefer natural solutions whenever possible. Plus they are often more budget-friendly too.
In this post, I’ll share my favorite recipe for an all-natural do-it-yourself carpet deodorizer and odor killer. With just a few ingredients likely in your pantry or fridge, you can freshen up that carpet and banish funky smells in no time. Say goodbye to synthetic fragrances and chemicals!
The main ingredient in this recipe is baking soda. Baking soda is mildly alkaline and helps neutralize odors rather than masking them. It absorbs and traps unpleasant smells. Baking soda also naturally deodorizes without leaving any scent behind. It’s safe for kids and pets too. Just sprinkle it on, let it sit for a bit, then vacuum up.
Here is what you will need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 10-15 drops essential oil (optional for scent)
- Glass jar with shaker top
Step 1: Start by mixing the baking soda and corn starch together in a bowl. The corn starch helps the baking soda spread more evenly on the carpet. It also absorbs odors well.
Step 2: Next, if you want to add a light natural scent, add several drops of your favorite essential oil and mix together. Good options are lemon, lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint. I love the essential oils by the company Now. But this step is entirely optional if you prefer an unscented deodorizer.
Step 3: Finally, transfer the mixture to a glass jar with a shaker top. This makes it easy to sprinkle the powder evenly over the carpet. Make sure to label it clearly so no one confuses it with cooking ingredients!
Step 4: To use, simply shake the deodorizer liberally over any smelly high traffic areas of your carpets. Pay special attention to stairs, hallways, doorways and underneath furniture. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes to fully absorb odors. The longer you let it sit, the better it will work. Overnight is ideal if possible.
Step 5: Once it has had time to work its magic, run the vacuum cleaner over the area to remove the powder. It’s that simple! For really difficult odors, you may need to repeat the process a few times. But it should help dramatically cut down on any unpleasant smells leaving your carpets fresh again.
One thing I love about this homemade carpet deodorizer is that it’s safe for kids and pets, unlike many store-bought brands. So you can use it worry-free to keep carpets smelling clean in nurseries, playrooms or anywhere your family spends time.
It also works great on upholstered furniture and mattresses too. Just sprinkle on generously, let sit awhile and then vacuum up. It’s a great natural solution for musty thrift store finds.
I like to make up a big batch and keep it on hand for anytime a smell pops up. A little sprinkle here and there keeps the carpets constantly fresh. It’s ready to go whenever needed.
[Side note: We recently lost our beloved chocolate Labrador who would have accidents in the home every day, several times a day. Making and having an all-natural deodorizer to use was a God-send. I love knowing the ingredients were not harmful to us or to our dogs – and it worked to keep odors down in our home.]
For best results, try to address the source of any smells too. Thoroughly clean carpets and mop hard floors to remove dirt, grime and spills that can cause odors. And don’t forget to open windows regularly to let in fresh air! This will prevent scents from building up in stagnant indoor air.
I hope you’ll give this all-natural carpet deodorizer and odor killer a try the next time you need to banish funky smells. Ditch the synthetic store-bought brands and go green with ingredients from your kitchen instead. It really works wonders and creates a fresh, healthy home environment. Let me know how it goes!
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