How to Deodorize Carpet With Baking Soda

Co-authored by Haim Shemesh

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References Approved

If your carpet has a funny smell due to spilled food, pet odor or years of foot traffic, baking soda might be just the right solution.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.} Using harsh chemicals to remove stains and odors isn't good for the environment and can be irritating to your eyes and respiratory system. Baking soda is cheap, safe for pets and humans and easy to use.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Treating the Carpet With Baking Soda

1
Vacuum your carpet first. (Mixing baking soda with dirt won't be very effective). You want to start with a carpet that's as clean as possible. Vacuum your carpet to pick up any of the big particles of dirt or loose fibers.^{[2]
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Research source} The bottom of your shoes contains oil and dirt and the constant contact with your carpet can grind away the surface of your carpet and leave dirt deep in the fibers.
2
Once your carpet is as clean as possible, tell your family you'll be cleaning the carpet and ask them not to walk on it while you give it the baking soda treatment.

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3
If the carpet is in an area with a lot of foot traffic, you may need to treat it one section at a time.
4
Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the area you want to treat. Plan to use up at least one, and maybe two, boxes of baking soda. You want to completely cover your carpet so you can hardly tell what color it is. Since baking soda is not harmful to humans or pets, don't skimp.^{[3]
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Since baking soda tends to get clumpy, it might be useful to transfer it to a large shaker before applying. This will help you distribute it more evenly.
6
Use fresh baking soda, rather than soda that's been sitting open in your refrigerator. A fresh, unopened box will be able to absorb more smells.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}
7
Scrub it into the carpet. Use a dry scrub brush or sponge to scrub the baking soda deep into the fibers of the carpet, so it gets all the way to the bottom. This is especially necessary if your carpet is shaggy and long; you want to make sure every part gets coated with soda.
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If you're worried about ruining the texture of your carpet, use an old sock or t-shirt to rub it into your carpet, rather than scrubbing.
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At this point, it's best not to walk on the carpet until the job is complete.
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Let the baking soda sit for several hours or overnight. If you can let it sit for 24 hours, that's even better. The longer it sits, the better your results will be. Baking soda naturally neutralizes and absorbs odors rather than covering them up.^{[5]
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Research source}
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During this time, try to stay off the carpet, so baking soda doesn't get tracked through the house.
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If you see a spot where the baking soda isn't covering the carpet, fill it in. It won't work unless it's actually touching the parts of the carpet that smell.
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Vacuum up the baking soda. Work slowly, since that much baking soda is going to take awhile to vacuum up. You'll need to go over each section of the carpet several times to get the job done.^{[6]
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Research source} As long as it didn't get wet, the baking soda should come right up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Dealing With Tougher Smells

1
Give your carpet a sniff after the first baking soda treatment. Is the bad odor neutralized? One treatment will be sufficient to neutralize most bad odors. If the carpet had a particularly strong smell, you might need to give it a second treatment. Remember, the longer you let baking soda sit on the carpet, the better it will neutralize odors.
2
Consider shampooing your carpet before treating it. If your carpet is quite dirty, baking soda alone might not get rid of the smell. You may want to do a deeper cleaning and shampoo your carpet in preparation for a baking soda treatment. This will increase the likelihood that the treatment will work.
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In place of regular carpet shampoo, try using a mixture of half white vinegar and half water.
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If you wash your carpet, wait until it's completely dry before applying baking soda.^{[7]
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Consider scenting the baking soda to help mask the smell. For the smelliest of carpets, you may want to add a fresh scent to replace the old smell. To scent your baking soda, pour it into a large bowl. Add five to ten drops of essential oil. Use a whisk to stir the scent in and integrate it into the soda. Spoon the soda into a shaker, then treat your carpet as directed. The following fresh scents will help counteract the smell:
- Lemon or lemongrass
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Cedar
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NOTE: If you have pets, check to make sure the oil you choose is safe for use around your cat or dog.
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Repeat the process once every few weeks. If you let your carpet go too long between cleanings, the bad smells will build right back up. Stay on top of your carpet's cleanliness by using a baking soda treatment every few weeks or at least once a month. The baking soda is more likely to completely eliminate odors that haven't been lingering for months or years at a time.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is baking soda a good deodorizer?

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.

Haim Shemesh

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes! Baking soda is great for removing smells, even if the smell accumulated over time. For instance, it can help get rid of pet odors or old food smells.
Question

Does baking soda need to be fresh?

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.

Haim Shemesh

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes! Baking soda is great for absorbing smells, but it loses its potency over time. Open a new box of baking soda to absorb odors.
Question

What do I do if my carpet has bad stains?

Community Answer

Make a paste with apple cider vinegar and baking powder, and apply it to the stain. Let that dry over over night, then vacuum it.