Smelly Rugs? Make Your Own Carpet deodorizer to Freshen Them Naturally
Learn to make a homemade carpet deodorizer powder or spray to refresh your floors.
These homemade carpet deodorizer recipes can be used weekly to eliminate musty smells, reduce pet odors, and freshen your entire home without harsh chemicals.
Homemade Carpet Deodorizer Powder
Combine 1 cup of baking soda and 10 drops of essential oils in a jar, leaving 1-2 inches of room so you can shake it vigorously to mix the oils into the powder. Sprinkle it onto your carpet, wait at least 15 minutes (longer for more odor control), and vacuum. After use, empty your vacuum’s dust container and clean the filters so the baking powder doesn’t accumulate.
Baking soda (bicarbonate) is safe to use with newer, well-maintained vacuums. At 70 microns, baking soda is much larger than other things vacuums routinely clean, like pet dander (2.5-10 microns) and household dust (.5-100 microns).
DIY Carpet Deodorizer for Dust Mites
- Combine equal parts baking soda and diatomaceous earth plus 10-20 drops of essential oils in a container, leaving 2 inches of room so you can shake it together.
- Sprinkle the powder on your carpet and brush it into the fibers with a broom. Pay extra attention to greasy spots or areas of heavy foot traffic.
- Wait at least 2 hours up to overnight before vacuuming.
Diatomaceous earth is a pet- and kid-safe, non-toxic powder made by crumbling sedimentary rocks into fine particles. These particles retain microscopically sharp edges that shred and dehydrate dust mites, fleas, and carpet beetles. Add it to your homemade carpet freshener to wipe out pests and musty smells, too.
DIY Carpet Deodorizer Spray
- Shake together 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons table salt and 10-20 drops of essential oils.
- Lightly mist your carpets, wait until it dries, then vacuum.
This is a great spray to deodorize rugs and carpets without using baking powder. It’s safe enough for use on rugs, car floors and mats, too. Vinegar helps dissolve greasy dirt and destroy odor-causing bacteria. Table salt dissolved in water helps kill dust mites. It also rehydrates carpet fibers, leaving your flooring feeling softer and plush.
Tips
- Use a brush to rub carpet deodorizing powder into greasy stains and stubborn pet odors, then let it sit at least 30 minutes before vacuuming.
- A Mason jar with a shaker lid helps avoid pouring on too much. Make your own by poking holes in the lid with a nail, or use a clean Parmesan cheese container.
- All of these homemade carpet fresheners can be used on area rugs, car floors, and upholstery. Spot test first.
- Pet-safe essential oil options include rosemary, chamomile and lavender essential oil. Avoid citrus, peppermint, or tea tree.
- Store any unused mixture in a cool, dry spot away from heat and direct sunlight. All of the mixtures keep indefinitely, but you may want to replace them once the scent has disappeared.
- Vacuum slowly and in two directions after using deodorizing your carpet, so you’re getting out all the dirt and carpet deodorizer, too.
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