How Long Should Carpet Smell After Cleaning

How Long Should Carpet Smell After Cleaning: Your Best Guide

How long should carpet smell after cleaning? Freshly cleaned carpet is supposed to ensure comfort for the household but unfortunately, many people face unpleasant smells after carpet cleaning.

There can be a variety of reasons why carpets smell worse after cleaning. Understanding what causes bad smells can give us a clue as to how to minimize undesirable side effects and their duration.

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Possible causes of bad smell

Let us take a closer look at the origins of the carpet smells as they have a direct impact on how long you will have to tolerate that strong smell. Besides, the cause of a specific scent is the first thing you should take into account while deciding on the way to fix it.

How Long Should Carpet Smell After Cleaning

The carpet did not dry properly

One of the most common reasons causing a bad carpet smell also often referred to as a wet dog smell is excess moisture.

Deep cleaning of a carpet usually includes water. Moisture can activate the molecules of dirt stuck deep in carpet fibers, and bacteria, and sometimes release smells from carpet material as well.

In many cases, wet carpets smell due to the contact of some synthetic materials in them with water or detergent. Not all synthetics can cause this problem though.

Polyester and nylon for example are much less likely to emit or soak smells.

If it is just the material that causes the awful smell it will only be a problem until the carpet dries.

The drying process can take different amounts of time for different types of carpets. Synthetic fibres can be completely dry after a few hours, but thick woolen carpets can take up to 24 hours. The nasty smell though can stay for one more day.

Different environmental factors can affect it as well like the climate you live in, increased humidity on a rainy day, poor ventilation of the room, and others. Walking on a carpet or returning the furniture before it dries completely slows down the process and might even lead to a long-term problem as pressing can block the airflow in fibres.

You should remember that the longer the carpet remains wet the bigger the risk of mold and mildew growth. It will of course make fighting the musky smell much more difficult and prolonged.

For this reason, it is recommended to take all possible actions to help the wet carpet dry.

How Long Should Carpet Smell After Cleaning
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What should be done

  • Avoid using too much detergent or water when cleaning carpets. They shouldn’t be soaking wet.
  • Let fresh air in. Keep the windows and doors open. Air circulation speeds up the drying and makes wet carpet smell less intense. It is recommended to air out the room for about 72 hours.
  • Avoid putting furniture or walking on a carpet before the drying process is complete.
  • Use a space heater or a fan in the room.
  • Give access to sunlight if possible.
  • Check if the carpet backing is drying as well, the padding is often a reason for the wet dog smell.
  • Run a dry brush over the carpet’s fibers, it will improve the airflow.
  • Use a professional drying machine. It can suck extra moisture out from more profound levels.

As a result, you should be enjoying your freshly smelling carpet after a few hours. The longest you should wait for the bad smell to vanish is 2 days.

If you are certain that the drying process is completed but the smelly carpet problem remains next thing you should be questioning is the quality of the carpet cleaning itself.

carpet

Carpet stains from certain products

Wet dog or damp carpet smell together with stains is usually what makes the hosts address carpet cleaning in the first place. In this case, it is better to consider a professional carpet cleaning service but even that might not be enough to get it smelling fresh again.

Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help you prevent carpet smells from lingering around your house both before and after cleaning.

As you are well aware some products when they get on the carpet are more likely to cause a nasty smell than others.

Some of them would also leave stubborn stains, but sometimes they can invisibly lie inside the carpet fibres. Let us take a look at the most common and dangerous kinds of soiling and see what can be done about them.

professional carpet cleaning service
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Pet urine

Pet urine might remain visibly unnoticeable on your floor covering but an awful smell will not keep you waiting. If you let it get soaked in carpet fibres and carpet padding your carpet will require a deep clean.

It is not only the urine that pets can contribute. If a cat or a dog is allowed on the carpet their fur and paws should be taken care of. If they smell or carry the dirt it will be passed to the carpeting in no time.

Pet urine on carpet
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Dairy

Another well-known thing that causes a musty smell when spilled on a carpet is dairy products. As a result, your carpet smells and you end up with a stain on it which is not easy to remove.

Tips on nuetralising

Locate and clean the spot as soon as possible. The longer you let the soiling stay on a carpet the deeper it is soaked. As a result, it might get too hard or even impossible to remove increasing the chance of experiencing bad odours.

Animal urine has components that can resist many types of cleaning products. Luckily, many solutions have proven their efficiency against pet stains such as enzymatic cleaners, white vinegar, baking soda, and a few others. The last two are effective against milk stains as well.

Enzyme-based agents are particularly composed to neutralize natural ingredients in urine or vomit that cause an unpleasant smell.

White vinegar mixed with water can be applied on the spot or left in bowls nearby to absorb the bad carpet smell.

Sprinkle baking soda dissolved in warm water on a spot. Better to leave it for the night and then vacuum it when it dries out.

Those three will remove the stain from the floor covering together with the smell it caused.

Borax will not only win over the musty smell but the mold inside carpet fibres as well. Apply it on the problematic surface and brush it. Remove it with the vacuum cleaner the next day just like baking soda.

If the undesirable odor is the only problem you facing you can consider cat litter to make smells go away sooner. Place it in open boxes around the room and it will illuminate musty smells from the air.

The tips above will help you to solve the smelly carpet problem faster, but you should remember that the most important thing in carpet cleaning is regularity. Attention and timely care will help keep your carpets smelling fresh. Vacuuming your carpet as often as possible will also prevent smells from appearing in your home.

Cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoking also leads to a nasty smell problem. Any kind of smoke tends to interpenetrate into fabrics and carpet fibres are not an exception.

The sad fact is that if the mat is constantly exposed to cigarette smoke neither a professional carpet cleaner nor a cleaning company might be able to solve the issue with bad odor. It will most likely stick forever.

Cooking smells

You should mind that if you place your carpet in the kitchen it will absorb the food smell. Mind that the cooking smell also does not go away easily, so it might be better to reconsider the location.

Mold and mildew

This problem is much bigger than the discomfort caused by scent. A smelly carpet might indicate that mold and mildew are growing inside which are proved to be harmful to people’s health.

As we mentioned earlier it is usually caused by excess moisture. If the carpet remains soaking wet or exposed to high humidity for a long period it becomes a friendly environment for bacteria growth. Even if the mat feels fully dry, remember that moisture that activates the molecules of dirt and mold can still lie deep inside the carpet backing.

If not taken care of for a long period the mold spores spread in the air causing symptoms such as skin irritation, allergies, migraines, and even low concentration. Those might evolve into more serious illnesses.

Wet carpet smell should not be ignored. If it lingers for a long time or gets stronger after a regular carpet cleaning here is what you can do:

  • Try treating the smelly carpet with antimicrobial or germicidal agents but keep paying attention afterwards. If there is mold or mildew another cleaning might make the carpet smell worse.
  • Use a professional carpet cleaning service. Experts can indicate the level of mold damage and advise if it can be helped. Sometimes the best solution is to replace the whole thing.

So, if you are facing undesirable odors after cleaning and they don’t go away soon, it is likely, that old soiling is still there.

professional carpet cleaning service
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Not suitable cleaning agents

The damp carpet smell might also be a sign that the cleaning procedure was performed improperly.

Besides the types of soiling described above chemicals used in the cleaning process can also become a source of unpleasant scents.

Often the cost of cleaning products has a final say in customers’ choices. In the case of detergents, it might be quite a dangerous approach because many of those on the market can be toxic.

As a result, your carpet smells worse, but most importantly your family’s health is threatened.

The advice is to pay attention to the composition. It is always better to get a professional consultation on which detergent will be safe for you and suitable for your carpet.

Another important thing to learn before proceeding to a deep clean is how the equipment and materials should be properly used. You don’t want to apply too much water or detergent. Follow the instructions given on cleaning product packing or by a trustworthy expert.

Carpet cleaners’ flaws

There are a variety of carpet cleaners on the market as well. According to the manufacturers they all serve the purpose of giving you a fresh-smelling carpet, but in fact, some machines might be just unable to do the job up to the standard.

Sometimes people stick to the cleaners they bought decades ago or the ones they can borrow. Old machines tend to lose their power over the years and it might negatively affect the outcome. If not powerful enough the cleaner might for example fail to suck the moisture out of deeper layers – here it goes, the potential smelly carpets hazard.

If you plan on a deep cleaning of your floor covering there is an option to rent professional carpet cleaners.

It is also not rare when people to confuse the smell that comes from the cleaning machine with the carpet smell after cleaning. Luckily, that scent will vanish soon after you remove the cleaner from the room.

Hiring a professional help

Keeping your carpets in good condition requires a lot of experience, so we can only support your decision to hire a cleaning company to carry out a deep cleaning.

However, finding a professional still takes responsibility. Remember that there is always a chance to get a low-quality service, we should not just assume that anyone who claims to be an expert has the required knowledge and skills. That has to be checked.

It is advisable to do a little research on different companies or experts, read some reviews, or get recommendations from someone you know.

The choice should be based on the ability to do the job up to the standards, which might not be the cheapest option but most likely it will be cost-efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for carpet to smell after cleaning?

Wet carpet smell is not rare. It can be a temporary side effect caused by the material contact with water or detergent, which should disappear in a day or two. It is not normal if the carpet smell lingers longer or gets stronger. If this is your case it is better to consult with a professional.

How long does it take for carpet smell to go away?

It depends on what causes the unpleasant smell. Typically, odors take up to a couple of days to vanish from your carpet. If it takes longer or the smell gets more intense, it indicates problems that have to be fixed, like overwetting, deep soiling, mold or mildew, or improper cleaning. Factors like humidity, airflow, or room traffic can also impact the duration of the uncomfortable side effect.

How do you deodorize carpet after carpet cleaning?

There are a few things you can choose from to get rid of the smell faster. Sprinkle baking soda solution for a night, or place vinegar or cat litter bowls around the room. Applying enzyme-based agents, or antimicrobial and germicide products has also proved to be effective against smells and to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

Will wet carpet smell go away?

The smell should go away as soon as the carpet fully dries after sanitizing which can take up to 48 hours depending on the carpet material and environment. If after two days it did not disappear it might mean that the item is not completely dry, or still has the remaining soiling or mold inside.

Read also our guide: Can You Use a Carpet Cleaner On a Rug On Hardwood?

To summarize

If you are experiencing unpleasant carpet smells in your home it is not something you should neglect. Remember, if odors keep bothering you for more than a couple of days it is highly recommended to take immediate action.

Make sure the carpet dries properly and the cleaning procedure is done by the standards. Pay equal attention to the carpet surface and its backing.

Above all, it is advisable to consider inviting an expert to do the inspection and help you understand where exactly the problem lies and how it should be dealt with.

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