After spending time cleaning your carpets, you expect them to look and smell fresh. But sometimes, instead of smelling clean they end up smelling musty and sour with a hint of wet dog.
The problem is caused by the layer of padding underneath your carpet, which if it gets wet will start to emit a sour and unpleasant odour. It will eventually dry up on its own, but the process can take a while.
Dampness
If spills or stains are left unattended they soak into carpet fibres and the underlayment beneath them. If the carpet is not properly dried after cleaning, this moisture can lead to mildew and mold which produce awful smells.
The smell of dirty dishes, food and even cigarette smoke can get trapped in carpet fibres as well. These odors can be extremely difficult to remove.
When the carpet is cleaned, it should be allowed to dry fully before furniture is returned to the room. Placing furniture on a damp carpet will push the water back up into the underlayment and cause it to smell.For more info, do visit this website Carpet Cleaning.
One of the most common reasons why carpet smells after cleaning is that the cleaner over-wetted the carpet or rug. Cheaper cleaning services often use inexperienced technicians or equipment that is not powerful enough to extract all the water and cleaning solution, leaving the carpet and underlayment soaking wet. A fan should be placed in the room to further ease the drying process.
Stains
The most common reason your carpet smells after cleaning is that the padding or underneath layer is still soaking wet. This portion of the carpet isn’t exposed to air or sunlight, so if it becomes damp and smells, mildew and mold can grow inside the pads. The odor will disappear once the moisture is gone, but it can take a little time. If you want to speed the process up, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over your carpet. The vinegar will absorb the odor and baking soda will soak up the moisture.
Some of the hardest stains and smells to get rid of are those caused by food, drinks, pets and chemicals. They can linger for a long time if the rug is not fully dried after cleaning. You can help the drying process by allowing more sun and air into the room or using fans and opening windows. This will also help with the bacterial and mould growth that causes bad odors.
Mould
If your carpet has been damaged by water and isn’t dried properly, it can attract mildew which can create a musty smell. This is a huge problem for homeowners as mould spores can be inhaled and spread through your home. Often, this can be solved with a few simple steps.
Shampooing your carpet with a solution of white vinegar and water can help kill any mildew growing in the fibres and will absorb the odour. You can also try using a fan or dehumidifier to help dry the carpet and the padding underneath.
If you notice that the odour persists, it may be time to call in a professional. They can help deal with any damage to the carpet and underlying padding, as well as treat for any mold growth which is more difficult to remove. It’s important to act quickly when it comes to dealing with mould as it can start eating away at the carpet fibres if left untreated.
Bacteria
The warm and moist environment inside carpet fibres can make the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. And as the bacteria multiply, they start spreading odours all over the carpet. This happens especially with odours such as urine and sour milk that have a strong, unpleasant smell when they’re not treated right away.
The odour of tobacco smoke also lingers in the carpet. So does the odour of smoke from a house fire. And of course, if the carpet is old, it will absorb any smells from its previous owners.
Another reason why carpet smells after cleaning is that the underlying padding was wet and didn’t dry properly. This is a common problem when homeowners try to clean their own carpets with rental machines and don’t follow the instructions correctly. In these cases, the odours can last for several days or even weeks. Thankfully, there are several ways to eliminate these smells. These include ventilation, baking soda or white vinegar or professional cleaning.
