Reasons Your Rugs or Carpets Smells
A nice rug or carpet improves things a lot in any room, providing warmth and texture to your space. A stinky rug or carpet does that very fast, ruins the appeal, and creates some nasty atmosphere in your house. But you don't stand alone if you had this odour occur from your rug or carpet and asked yourself what could be its cause.
This is a problem that many homeowners usually encounter and that can arise due to several reasons. Here, in this article, let's discuss 10 common reasons why your rugs or carpets smell, giving you a better understanding of the problem and possible solutions to freshen up your space.
1. Moisture and Humidity-
One of the common causes of carpet or rug smell is too much moisture in it. Due to their material, carpets and rugs readily absorb water. When not dried quickly, the carpet or rug becomes wet for a long time, which results in the growth of mould and mildew. It especially occurs in very humid areas or after spills or a leak have happened. Mould grows perfectly well in a dark, damp environment. It will produce a kind of musty smell that can spread everywhere.
Prevention:
- Let air in your house.
- Stop any leak or spill as soon as possible.
- Have a dehumidifier in the damp areas to reduce the moisture content.
2. Bad Smell due to Pets-
If your pets are cats or dogs, their hair, dander, and body secretions could be causing the odour in your carpets and rugs. Urine from pets contains ammonia, and if not removed properly, it will leave a strong smell for long. Even though the pets are housebroken sometimes, accidents occur with time, which can lead to the accumulation of these substances and cause an undesirable smell.
Preventive Measure:
- Clean up the accident of the pet immediately.
- Use enzymatic cleaners specifically designed for pet stains and odour.
- Regular grooming and cleaning of your pets.
3. Liquids Spilt-
Coffee, juice, or water spills may seep down into the actual fibres of carpet or rug fabrics. Such a spill left unattended ends up being a breeding ground for different bacteria that produce sour or musty smells. Milk and alcohol are some of the liquids responsible for more obstinate smells because they have proteins and sugars that, as they decompose, break down and become foul smells.
Prevention:
- Clean spills immediately with a clean cloth.
- Apply a cleaning solution to remove residue from spills.
- Deep clean your carpets often to prevent buildup.
4. Food Crumbs and Particles-
Tiny pieces of food and crumbs fall into your carpet or rug as you enjoy your meals, snacks, or as you go about your daily hustle. If they continue to accumulate without being well vacuumed over time, they begin to rot, leading to bacteria and pests that create the unappealing smell inside a house. This is particularly common in rooms such as the living room or dining room, where most meals and beverages are consumed.
Prevention:
- Regular vacuuming, especially areas where food is usually consumed.
- Reserve food to be eaten at the table and clean up crumbs and spills immediately after eating.
- Enforce a "no food" policy on carpeted areas.
5. Mould and Mildew Growth
It has been mentioned above that mould and mildew are considered to be among the two most important causes of foul-smelling carpets and rugs. Mould grows anywhere water remains, including flooded or leaky basements and houses. After mold spores begin growing on or beneath your carpet, they release gases that can cause an extremely pungent, musty smell, which is hardly insignificant.
Prevention:
- Check regularly for signs of moisture accumulation, especially in damp areas.
- Clean and dry carpets immediately after water exposure.
- Replace the carpet when the problem is continuous because mould can be a health hazard.
6. Poor Ventilation-
Poor circulation in a house makes your rugs and carpets host various smells. Stale air may carry the smell of spills, pets, or dirt, and if this stale air is not ventilated, it collects and fosters those smells with time. Poor ventilation also allows humidity, which, as we have said, breeds moulds.
Prevention:
- Open windows to allow fresh air in.
- Air should be circulated in your house using fans and air purifiers.
- Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioner systems must be in good order.
7. Dirt and Dust Accumulation-
Dirt and dust will accumulate on every carpet and rug due to natural settling. It will especially do so in traffic-prone areas. If not frequently vacuumed, dirt, dust, and debris settle deep into the fibres of carpets, causing musty or earthy smells to develop. This is most pronounced where infrequent vacuuming or carpet cleaning is done.
Prevention:
- Vacuum frequently, especially in areas with lots of traffic.
- Use a deep-cleaning vacuum with a HEPA filter that eliminates dust particles.
- Consider professional carpet cleaning at least once a year.
8. Residuals of Cleaning Agents-
Counterintuitive as this may sound, sometimes your cleaning products are the culprit behind the bad smell in your rugs or carpets. After using a carpet cleaner or detergent, if not completely rinsed out, the remaining soap residue can attract dirt, bacteria, and dust, leading to a foul odor. In some cases, chemicals can also leave an unpleasant smell if not well ventilated.
Prevention:
- Read and care for the instructions given in the cleaning product.
- Use as little soap as possible and rinse extremely well.
- Attempt to use organic cleaning agents instead of chemical-based so that you won't gain chemical smells.
9. Smoke-
When you or your family members are smoking indoors, the smoke smell also has a tendency to settle in rugs and carpets. Smoke particles are fine and can easily penetrate deep into the fibres of the fabrics, therefore making it not easy to get rid of the smell. Even a couple of smokes are enough to create a stale, smoky smell in carpets and rugs over time.
Prevention:
- Call smoking to be done outside so that the smell is left to hang in the open.
- Utilise air filters that tend to flush out smoke particles in the air
- Carpeted and rug surfaces should be regularly cleaned to remove smoke residues
10. Oldness / Degradation-
Sometimes, the carpet or rug stinks because it is old. Rugs and carpets are things that degenerate and run into fibers that start breaking off. In time, more dirt and moisture become embedded with odors. Older rugs also might have padding underneath that deteriorates, such as trapping bad smells. Eventually, no amount of cleaning will eliminate the odour, and it may be time to replace the rug or carpet.
Prevention:
- Maintain cleanliness and regular maintenance for rugs and carpets for longer life.
- If you already feel that a rug or carpet is no longer salvageable, replace it.
- Make sure to use protective pads underneath the rugs so you avoid wear and odour buildup.
How to Get Rid of Bad Odours in Carpet or Rug
Knowing what causes bad smells from rugs and carpets, here are some effective removal techniques:
1. Vacuuming: Vacuuming removes surface dirt and debris before they penetrate the fibre.
2. Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet or rug; let it sit for a few hours, then you can vacuum it. Baking Soda is capable of absorbing odors
3. Deep clean: Use a carpet cleaning machine to deep-clean your carpets and clean with solution, which will remove odour and stains.
4. Enzyme Cleaners: If you have a pet and will desire to remove the urine or other body fluids, you can utilise an enzyme cleaner that breaks down proteins in urine and other body fluids.
5. Ventilation: Keep your house well aerated, and use a fan or air purifier to offer circulation of air and dry out moisture.
6. Professional Carpet Cleaning: If the odour has been persistent, you can opt for professional carpet cleaning services whereby your carpets will be well cleaned and deodourized.
Make Your Environment Pleasant
Your rugs and carpets may create foul smells for a variety of reasons - moisture and dirt, pets, or even poor ventilation. The cause of the smell needs to be identified and steps to prevent it taken so that your rugs and carpets can stay fresh and clean. Maintenance of rugs and carpets, proper cleaning time, and understanding the cause make it certain that your home will continue to be a pleasant place to live.