
Best Holiday Rugs to Brighten Your Home or Event This Season
December 9, 2024
Get Your Home Game-Day Ready with Koeckritz Rugs for the Big Game
January 15, 2025Winter brings cozy nights, festive celebrations, and colder temperatures. But it also brings increased humidity, moisture from snow and melting ice, and dry indoor air – all of which can affect your home and rugs. While you may appreciate the winter wonderland outside, your carpets and furniture aren’t as fond of the damp conditions that often come with the season. Worst-case scenario, your rugs can develop a musty, mildew smell that lingers throughout your home.
Don’t worry though – before calling a professional cleaner, there are a couple of DIY solutions you can try to eliminate that unpleasant winter smell.
Old Fashioned Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process:
- Ensure the Rug is Dry
Before starting, make sure your rug is completely dry. The baking soda won’t be as effective on a damp rug, so let it dry fully before proceeding. - Apply Baking Soda
Pour a generous amount of baking soda over the affected area of your rug, aiming for a thick layer. The idea is to cover the stinky spots thoroughly. Gently press it into the fibers to ensure it gets deep into the rug. - Let It Sit
Leave the baking soda on the rug for an extended period. For best results, let it sit overnight, but if possible, leave it for a couple of days to allow it to absorb odors effectively. - Vacuum
After the waiting period, vacuum up all the baking soda. Check if the odor has improved. Often, this will freshen up the rug considerably.
Bonus: The Vinegar-Baking Soda Reaction
If the smell persists or you want to experiment further, combine the power of vinegar with baking soda for an even more effective solution.
- Pour Vinegar
Pour some white vinegar directly onto the rug or over the layer of baking soda. Vinegar is a great odor-neutralizer, and it helps to break down any residual grime. - Add Baking Soda
Sprinkle a little more baking soda over the vinegar. The reaction will cause the two substances to fizz and bubble, which is a fun and effective cleaning mechanism. - Let the Reaction Work
Let the mixture sit for a while. The bubbling action will lift dirt and odors from the rug fibers. - Vacuum Again
Once the bubbling has stopped and the area is dry, vacuum up the baking soda and enjoy a refreshed, odor-free rug.
This method is a great way to freshen up your rugs without resorting to harsh chemicals, all while utilizing common household items you likely already have!
Boring but Practical
The even more obvious solution, if you’re okay with spending some money, is to go to the store and pick up some foaming carpet cleaner. Spray some of the spot cleaner on the location that smells, and scrub away. Leave the rug to dry – preferably up on a rack so it gets good air circulation – for about 20 minutes. Be sure to scrub every spot that got wet earlier, as mold and mildew spread quickly.
If these DIY solutions don’t work, you may want to bring your rug to a professional cleaner – untreated mold can be a serious health hazard, so don’t treat this lightly! To prevent future issues, especially in winter when humidity can cause carpets to stay damp longer, consider using a dehumidifier in your home or adding a moisture-resistant rug pad. This extra step can help keep your rug fresh and extend its lifespan through the colder months.