Table of contents
- Where the smell can come from
- Start odor removal immediately
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly
- Air out in fresh air
- wash carpet
- Treat with detergent
- Wipe me vinegar water
- Sprinkle the carpet with baking soda
- Chemical cleaning agents
New carpets often give off an unpleasant smell. No one likes to smell these fumes, let alone breathe them in for long periods of time. Any advice that helps to rid the carpet of this is welcome.
Where the smell can come from
New carpet odors are quite common. The causes are to be found in plastic packaging, the use of chemical substances in production and the nature of the carpet fibers. In most cases, the smell will go away on its own after a while. However, since it is unpleasant and possibly harmful to health, something should be done about it. If the carpet smell is very unpleasant and intense or if it persists for a long time, it is advisable to reverse the purchase. Otherwise, a laboratory test helps to identify the evaporating substances in order to possibly identify health hazards.
Start odor removal immediately
Ideally, you are already doing odor prevention by not only visually inspecting the carpet in the store, but also by paying attention to smells. If he is uncomfortable in this regard, you should rather keep your hands off it. Carpets that are delivered packaged should be unpacked promptly. If you notice an unpleasant odor, get rid of it immediately. The procedures described below are recommended, individually or in combination, depending on the initial situation.
Vacuum the carpet thoroughly
If small particles from artificial production materials are still stuck in the fibers, they can trigger the unpleasant smell.
- Unroll the carpet outdoors if possible
- possibly. put something underneath to avoid contamination
- otherwise open the window wide
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly
Vacuuming is generally useful because it loosens the fibers. This makes the other methods even more effective.
Tip:
Since some of the particles are also whirled up during suction, you should protect your mouth and nose with a mask or scarf to avoid inhaling them.
Air out in fresh air
If the weather is dry, the carpet can be aired outside in the fresh air for several days if the opportunity arises. Alternatively, he can air out in front of a wide open window or door.
- both sides of the carpet should be well ventilated
- hang up and fix accordingly
- carpet if necessary turn several times
Trust your nose and test from time to time whether the smell has subsided. If it does not disappear overnight or after a few days at the latest, another method must be used.
wash carpet
Smaller carpets can be washed well in the bathtub.
- Fill the tub with lukewarm water
- add some detergent
- Put the carpet in for an hour
- it should be completely immersed in the lye
- Work the lye into the fibers with a brush
- carpet if necessary turn around
After soaking, rinse the carpet with plenty of clean water. After that it has to dry.
Tip:
Be careful not to use silicone-based detergents with natural fibers. It is better to use a wool detergent.
Treat with detergent
For the following method you will need a vacuum cleaner that is allowed to vacuum up moisture and a carpet brush. Proceed as follows:
- Unroll the carpet. Lay out foil underneath to protect the substrate.
- Add three parts water to one part liquid detergent.
- Rub the suds all over the carpet with the brush. Apply only gentle pressure to avoid damaging the fibers.
- Leave the lye on for a few hours.
- Then suck off the suds with the vacuum cleaner.
- Let the carpet dry.
If there is still a residual odor after this treatment, the lye treatment can be repeated one more time.
Wipe me vinegar water
Vinegar binds odors, but must be used carefully so as not to damage the fibers of the carpet:
- Mix vinegar essence and water in equal parts
- apply to the carpet with a cotton cloth
- to do this, dab the carpet piece by piece
- Danger:no use synthetic cloth, not rub!
- Leave on for 30 minutes
- wipe with another cotton cloth and clean water
Don't worry if you can still smell a slight vinegar smell. It will fade away completely over time.
Sprinkle the carpet with baking soda
If the treatment can only be carried out dry due to the circumstances, baking soda is the agent of choice. Especially for wool carpets, as they develop their own unpleasant smell after wet treatment. Spread baking soda generously all over the carpet and gently rub in with a carpet brush. After at least twelve hours of exposure, the baking soda is simply vacuumed off again. If necessary, repeat the application.
Chemical cleaning agents
For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned here that the trade offers chemical agents for removing odors. However, their use is not harmless, since it cannot be ruled out that people also come into contact with them. Especially since residues can still stick to the carpet fibers for a long time after the treatment.
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