Hello!

We recently got a secondhand rug and it has a particular smell I can’t stand.
I have bleached the underside, used carpet foam cleaner on top and baking soda while cooking it in the hot sun.
Not to mention the amount of times I’ve vacuumed it.
The smell is still there.

Any advice on how to make it smell fresh, crisp and wonderful?


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  • If baking soda hasn’t been able to absorb the smell then I’m not sure there is much else you can do. You could try one of the fabric deodorisers but they are heavily perfumed


  • Try spraying it with Glen 20 or something similar.


  • I was going to suggest baking soda…. but perhaps it is time for a new rug?!


  • VAC novac carpet deoderisor


  • I bought a big rug second hand and it smelled horribly like cigarette smoke. We used Aldis disan and the pressure washer to give it a thorough clean. Once it was dry I coated both sides in bicarb and let sit for a few hours per side and vacuumed out.
    Afterwards I gave a light misting with diluted fabric softener and it was fresh and as good as new!


  • I agree with the poster who said that if it has a smell embedded into it, you may find it cheaper to just get rid of the rug and start new. It can be costly trying to get rid of smells and some just wont come out no matter what you do


  • I would give it a good old scrub with diluted Eucalyptus oil.


  • I use no vac pet deodoriser


  • It is has been used as a toilet you may never completely get the smell out of it. I know somebody who has tried everything including the carpet professionally cleaned. In the warm atmosphere the smell returns again. Unless you paid a lot of money for the carpet, it could cost your more than that to keep trying to eliminate the odour.


  • Have you tried a product like Febreeze which is supposed to get smells out.


  • Hang it out in the sun for the day to start, sometimes a good airing can help. Try covering it in bicarbonate soda and leave it overnight, vacuum it up and then lightly spritz it with a vinegar/lavender oil mix. If this doesn’t work then go to a professional cleaner.


  • Have to agree with others, professional cleaners


  • Is carpet powders or carpet cleaning powder can’t get rid of the smell, I’d say get a professional carpet cleaner to have a go. It sounds like you have exhausted all diy avenues and it would feel like you are wasting money with each failed attempts


  • Gave you tried mixing an essential oil, such as lavender but whatever you like, in with the bicarb? Leave for an hour or so then vacuum


  • Did u consider hire professional carpet cleaner? All your time,stress and money you spending on products its not worth it.
    Other suggestion -try “pee off” or other products from pet department.


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