How to Get Rid of Carpet Odors: The Best Deodorizing Techniques

If your carpet has picked up a strange or lingering odor, you’re not alone. Carpet odors are one of the most common household issues, especially in high-traffic areas or homes with children and pets. Whether it's the result of pet accidents, mildew from moisture, or food and drink spills that never fully dried, those smells tend to settle deep into the carpet fibers, making them hard to remove with surface-level cleaning alone.

The trick to success is tackling the odor at the source. That means going beyond air fresheners or sprays and learning how to deodorize carpet using solutions that actually neutralize smells rather than just cover them up.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to deodorize carpet with a mix of proven methods. We’ll explore everything from simple pantry staples like baking soda and white vinegar to deeper solutions like steam cleaning and professional carpet cleaning services, this guide will help you eliminate odors and restore the comfort of your space.

Because a clean home doesn’t just look better. It smells better too.

Identify the Source Before You Deodorize Your Carpet

Not all carpet odors are created equal. Some are caused by surface-level messes that are easy to spot and clean. Others come from deep within the padding, the result of old spills, mildew, or persistent pet urine that’s been absorbed over time. Before you reach for a carpet deodorizer, it’s important to figure out what’s causing the smell in the first place.

Here are the most common types of odors trapped in your carpet:

1. Pet Accidents and Urine Odors

These are some of the toughest smells to eliminate. Pet urine doesn’t just soak into the surface, it penetrates the fibers and padding below. If untreated, it can cause long-term odors that even a good vacuum won’t fix.

2. Mildew Smell from Moisture or Humidity

If your carpet has been exposed to water or high humidity, it may develop a musty odor over time. This is often due to mildew forming beneath the surface, especially in basements or rooms without good ventilation.

3. Food and Beverage Spills

Drinks like coffee, juice, and wine can soak into the carpet, leaving behind a smelly residue even after the stain fades. Sugar-based spills are especially prone to causing lingering odors because they feed bacteria growth.

4. Smoke, Cooking, or Environmental Odors

Strong smells from cigarettes, cooking oils, or musty air can cling to carpet fibers, especially if your HVAC system circulates those smells throughout the house.

If you’re unsure where the bad smells are coming from, do a quick walk-through of the room. Pay attention to corners, high-traffic areas, or spots where pets tend to lounge. Once you know what you're up against, you can choose the most effective way to get rid of the smell for good.

Best DIY Deodorizing Methods for Mild Odors

Once you’ve identified the source of the odor, it’s time to tackle it head-on. If you’re dealing with everyday smells from foot traffic, light spills, or mild carpet odor, you don’t necessarily need to call a professional carpet cleaning service just yet.

There are simple, effective DIY carpet deodorizing methods that can help you get rid of the smell using items you probably already have at home.

Here are a few tried-and-true ways to deodorize your carpet naturally:

1. Use Baking Soda on Carpet Overnight

Baking soda is one of the best household ingredients for removing odor. It absorbs moisture and neutralizes even the toughest smells trapped in carpet fibers.

How to do it:

• Sprinkle baking soda liberally across the entire carpet or just the affected area.
• Use your hand or a broom to work it into the fibers slightly.
• Let it sit overnight (or at least 8 hours).
• Vacuum thoroughly the next morning.

This method is especially good for refreshing smelly carpet in living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms. For even better results, try mixing in a few drops of essential oil or a teaspoon of ground spices to leave behind a subtle, clean scent.

2. White Vinegar Spray for Neutralizing Odors

White vinegar is a natural odor remover and bacteria killer. It works well on musty smells, especially if you're dealing with a mildew smell or old food odors.

How to use it:

• Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle.
• Lightly mist the area, but don’t soak it.
• Let it air dry completely. The vinegar scent will fade as it dries, leaving your carpet smelling fresh.

If you want to customize the scent, consider adding essential oils or a teaspoon of lemon juice. Just be sure to spot tests first on delicate carpet types.

3. Vodka for Odor Neutralizing

Believe it or not, plain, unscented vodka is a powerful carpet deodorizer. It kills bacteria and quickly evaporates, making it great for last-minute freshening before guests arrive.

How to do it:

• Pour vodka into a spray bottle and lightly mist the smelly areas.
• Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Blot dry with a clean cloth and follow with baking soda if needed.

This technique is perfect for pet smells, light stains, or keeping rugs fresh between deeper cleanings.

4. Baking Soda and Borax Combo for Stronger Smells

For carpets that need something stronger, try a baking soda and borax blend. Borax is a natural mineral-based cleaning agent that helps boost the odor-absorbing power of baking soda.

How to use it:

• Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of borax.
• Sprinkle over the smelly carpet.
• Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum thoroughly.

This method works best in rooms with low humidity and where you’re not concerned about pets licking or crawling on treated surfaces. (Always keep pets and children away until vacuumed.)

How to Get Rid of Tough Carpet Odors (Pet, Mildew, and More)

Sometimes baking soda isn’t enough. If you’ve tried the usual tricks but your carpet odor keeps coming back, it may be time to bring in stronger reinforcements. Odors caused by pet urine, mildew, or set-in spills can penetrate deep into your carpet backing and padding, making them harder to treat.

Here’s how to handle even the most stubborn smells using the right tools and products.

1. Use an Enzyme-Based Odor Remover for Pet Urine

When it comes to pet accidents, nothing works better than an enzyme cleaner. These cleaners contain biological agents that break down the proteins and bacteria causing the smell, rather than just covering them up.

How to use:

• Blot the area with a towel to absorb excess moisture.
• Spray an enzyme-based carpet deodorizer spray over the spot.
• Let it sit for at least 10–15 minutes (longer for heavy odors).
• Blot dry and sprinkle baking soda if needed for extra deodorizing.
• Vacuum thoroughly once dry.

You’ll find enzyme cleaners at any pet supply store or grocery aisle. They’re safe for kids and pets and incredibly effective at removing pee smell without damaging the carpet fibers.

2. Treat Mildew Smell Caused by Moisture or Water Damage

A persistent mildew smell usually means moisture has made its way beneath your carpet. This often happens in basements, near windows, or in rooms with poor airflow.

Steps to eliminate mildew:

• Use a dehumidifier in the room to lower humidity.
• Pull back the carpet if possible and inspect the padding.
• Pour white vinegar directly onto the area or spray a vinegar-water solution.
• Let it sit, then blot and allow to dry completely.
• Sprinkle baking soda as a final layer and vacuum after a few hours.

3. Combat Set-In Odors with a Deep Clean

When odors have sunk in over time, it might be time to deep clean your carpets. Professional-grade steam cleaning or hot water extraction can flush out bacteria, stains, and odor from the base of the carpet pile.

Options:

• Rent a carpet cleaner machine from a home improvement store.
• Use a carpet deodorizer powder before extraction for added scent removal.
• Consider scheduling a professional carpet cleaning if DIY efforts don’t resolve the issue.

Look for local providers like JDog Carpet Cleaning or ask your local cleaning company about their pet and odor treatment packages. Deep cleaning is especially useful when you’re dealing with smelly carpet in large or high-traffic areas.

When to Deep Clean Your Carpet

If you’ve already tried baking soda, vinegar, and sprays but the carpet odor still lingers, it might be time for a full deep clean. At this stage, odors are likely embedded below the surface, beyond the reach of your vacuum or homemade solutions.

Here are your best options when you need to go deeper:

1. Rent or Use a Carpet Cleaning Machine at Home

For homeowners who prefer a hands-on approach, a rental carpet shampooer or steam cleaner can help eliminate odors that have soaked into the padding. These machines use warm water, cleaning solution, and strong suction to flush out dirt, bacteria, and stains.

To get the best results

• Pre-vacuum the entire carpet to remove dry debris.
• Use a deodorizing carpet cleaner solution in the tank.
• Go over each section slowly to extract as much moisture as possible.
• Let the carpet dry completely with windows open or fans running.

2. Call a Professional Carpet Cleaning Service

Sometimes, it’s best to leave it to the pros. Especially for smelly carpet that hasn’t responded to other methods. Professional cleaning services like hot water extraction or encapsulation can target deep-rooted odor and kill bacteria hidden in the lower layers of the carpet.

Benefits of going pro:

• More powerful equipment with stronger suction
• Use of commercial-grade carpet deodorizer and disinfectants
• Safe for delicate or high-end carpet materials
• Faster drying times and consistent results

If you’re in Colorado or southern Wyoming, Carpet Exchange can help you find high-performance, odor-resistant carpet that holds up better to future messes. It's worth exploring if you're replacing carpet soon.

3. When Carpet Padding Becomes the Problem

If you've done everything right; sprayed, scrubbed, shampooed and the smell keeps coming back, it may be an issue with your padding. The padding beneath your carpet acts like a sponge, holding on to spills, odor, and pet accidents.

At that point, the smartest solution might be to:

• Pull up the carpet in problem areas
• Replace the padding underneath
• Reinstall or upgrade to a more odor-resistant carpet option

Ask a flooring specialist at Carpet Exchange about padding that includes built-in odor protection and antimicrobial layers.

Long-Term Tips to Keep Your Carpet Smelling Fresh

The best way to fight carpet odor is to stop it before it starts. That means building habits that protect your flooring from moisture, spills, and everyday grime. With just a few simple routines, you can maintain a cleaner, fresher carpet and reduce the need for constant deep cleaning.

Start by vacuuming regularly using a HEPA-filter vacuum to remove trapped dirt and odor-causing debris. High-traffic areas may need it two to three times a week. Once a month, use a carpet deodorizer spray or powder to refresh the surface, but avoid overuse, which can clog your vacuum.

Managing humidity is key. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and open windows to keep your carpet dry and prevent mildew and bacteria buildup, especially in damp areas like basements.

For a natural boost, mix baking soda and borax with a few drops of essential oil or ground spices. Sprinkle it over the carpet, let it sit, then vacuum to neutralize odor naturally.

And if odors keep returning, it may be time to look into more odor-resistant carpet materials or padding that hold up better in busy households.

Quick Tips to Keep Your Carpets Smelling Fresh:

• Vacuum with a HEPA filter 2–3 times a week
• Apply carpet deodorizer powder or spray monthly
• Control humidity with fans or a dehumidifier
• Use natural blends like baking soda and borax
• Choose odor-resistant carpet and padding from Carpet Exchange

Conclusion

Now that you know how to get rid of carpet odors, the path to a cleaner, fresher home is just a few steps away. From DIY solutions like baking soda and white vinegar, to enzyme-based treatments for tougher smells and full-scale deep cleans, the key is choosing the right method for the source of the odor. And once the smell is gone, regular maintenance and a few smart habits can go a long way in keeping it that way.

If you're still struggling with a smelly carpet, or you’re ready to upgrade to odor-resistant carpet that holds up to daily life, the team at Carpet Exchange is here to help. Explore a wide range of carpet styles and expert-approved flooring solutions that keep your home fresh from the ground up.

Because clean carpet shouldn't just look good, it should smell good too.