Is there a nasty smell coming from your carpets? Even if you’re swift at cleaning up spills and have a regular vacuuming schedule, carpet odours may often linger. These smells can be caused by many different things, or it could be that your carpet is just getting old. Let’s take a look at five possible reasons your carpets are giving off a funky odour and what you can do about it.
Mold or Moisture
If moisture gets into carpet fibres or under the carpet pad, this can lead to mustiness and often mold growth. This could happen due to a drinks spill, a leak or excessive humidity in the room. Sometimes, even if the carpet has appeared to have dried, it may have moisture or mold trapped somewhere. And, if mold is left, this can lead onto to unexplained allergies for your family.
How to remedy: Ventilate the room as much as possible by opening windows. Call in a professional carpet cleaner who can use steam cleaning or dry cleaning methods, which are better for your carpet.
Pet Accidents and Odour
If you have family pets, like a cat or a dog, these furry friends often have training accidents when young. And, even if the mess is cleaned up immediately, nasty smells can linger on carpet fibres. This is because bacteria left behind keeps multiplying and feeding, producing smells.
How to remedy: The best remedies for pet mess are either an enzymatic odour removal product, which works to attack the bacteria. Or, dry carpet cleaning by a professional will also do the job well.
Food or Drink Spillages
If food and drink spillages are left on a carpet, this can lead to mold growth and nasty odours from the bacteria breaking down. And even if you clean a spill up right away and cannot see a stain, often particles get left behind that cause lingering smells.
How to remedy: Clean spills up immediately. When dry, sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for several hours. Vacuum up the baking soda. Call in a professional carpet cleaner for a deep down, restorative, carpet clean at regular intervals.
Smoke from Cigarettes
Smoke smells tend to get everywhere including your carpet, clothes, the walls and upholstery. If you smoke, or live with a smoker, these smells are hard to get rid of. However, it is possible to minimise smoke smells, but if the carpet is old, it may be best investing in a new one altogether.
How to remedy: Again, baking soda is an effective tool that will soak up smoky smells. However, for the best results, call in a professional for a deep steam carpet clean.
Carpets Getting Old
Even with the best care, a carpet won’t last forever and will eventually show signs of wear and tear. Depending on your carpet type, its average lifespan is 5 to 15 years. If your carpet is looking worn and has a few funny smells, it might be more cost effective to replace it.
How to remedy: Invest in a new carpet or call in carpet cleaners for a deep steam clean.