Removing Nasty Carpet Smells

The remains from the accident that little Joey (or was it Uncle Joey?) left after the last house party has been cleaned up—or so you thought. No matter what you try, though, you just can't seem to get rid of that horrid vomit smell. While this job may seem difficult at first glance, using one of these simple ideas resolves the problem in short order. Be aware, however, that these solutions may cause some damage to your carpets. Test out any cleaning solution in either easily hidden areas of carpeting or on a small piece of carpet similar to what you own.

First, sprinkle the area of carpet that has the smell embedded into it with water. Once the area is thoroughly wetted, shake some baking soda over the damp carpet. Let the resulting mixture dry completely. Once dry, gently rub the area so you can then vacuum up the powder. After the dried mixture has been cleaned up, the offending smell should be gone.

The second option is to use a half-and-half solution of water and white vinegar. Spray the mixture onto the affected area of the carpet. Once the area is damp or moist, gently scrub with a towel or washcloth. Repeat this process several times; three or four repetitions should take care of the problem. If the smell persists after doing this, soak the area for about twenty minutes, after which you simply repeat the process just outlined.

Your third possible solution is to use the same process listed above, but with a mixture of ammonia and water. In this mixture you will use a quarter cup of ammonia and one cup of hot water. Be sure that you do not use this mixture on any wool-based carpets, as it does stain or discolor the material.

Your final option is you can always let the professionals take on the hassle and headache of this job. Since this is what they do for a living, they are generally the best people to handle this job. While the cost may seem to be a tad prohibitive at first glance, the price can run as high as $0.35 per square foot, it may very well be worth it. Companies such as COIT and Stanley Steamer have money-back or replacement guarantees in the event something is damaged from their cleaning. This service alone can remove quite a lot of the worry from your shoulders.