Environment

How to Make Your Own Carpet Deodorizer for Pennies

by Rodger Harrison in 16.08.2009 16:47

It's not just homes with kids and pets that benefit from carpet deodorizers. Curtains, couches, carpets and other fabrics tend to absorb odors from dirt and dust, cooking, smoking, commercial cleaning products, and even commercial carpet deodorizers.

If you've ever tried the store-bought carpet cleaners, you may have purchased the brand or scent that smell sickly sweet, even long after you've vacuumed. It's not uncommon for someone to walk into a house that's been deodorized with a brand name carpet deodorizer, only to have them wrinkle their nose and ask what that smell is. Some deodorizers are more obnoxious than the odors you're trying to remove. Those unpleasant deodorizers seem to just sit for years on a shelf or under the sink. We don't want to use them and we can't justify throwing them out.

Why waste money on chemical laden "cleaners" that don't get used? Not only are store-bought deodorizers full of unnecessary chemicals and masking perfumes, they're rather expensive. We'll show you how to make your own fresh carpet cleaner for just a few pennies – and in a scent you love.

For really simple carpet deodorizing, all you need is some baking soda. But, you might prefer to add some essential oils or flower petals for a fresh, custom scent.

First, we recommend purchasing a large bag or box of baking soda at a bulk store like Costo or Sam's Club. The club store size is a lot less expensive than the small boxes in the grocery store.

You'll also need a shaker of some sort. You can dump the smelly store deodorizer and reuse that canister, or you can make one from a mason jar with holes punched in the lid. Other containers will work just fine, too, like a coffee can or even a plastic food container. And holes aren't necessary for sprinkling. You can always just scoop some out with your hand and spread it evenly over your carpets.

Once you have baking soda in a container, it's time to add your essential oils or dried flowers. Or both. If you don't know what to start with, try some lavender, rose petals, chamomile, or even cinnamon. Or create your own combination of flowers, leaves, and oils.

Health food stores will sometimes carry flower petals and other spices in bulk. Usually they'll have flowers and such for making herbal teas, poultices, and whatever else you can think of. They will work if you leave them whole, but grinding them to a powder will help it sprinkle into the carpet.

When you use essential oils, add a few drops to your baking soda and mix it real well. Let it set a bit for the smell to permeate the powder. But, baking soda is absorbent for liquids and odors, which is why we use it for carpet deodorizing. Likewise, it will become infused with the scent of your essential oils.

When you're ready to vacuum, simply shake your homemade carpet deodorizer on the carpets. For best results, let the mixture sit in the carpet for at least an hour, but you can leave it overnight if you like, too. Then vacuum it up and enjoy your fresh smelling carpets!

You can even try spreading a little of your mixture down bathroom or kitchen drains, or on the floorboards of your car.

Not only will making your own carpet freshener save you money, but you will enjoy your home all the more for it.

Dave Roth owns and operates the Vacuum Cleaner Talk website,

a site devoted to vacuum cleaner reviews of brands such as oreck, miele, and .

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