Carpet Odor Causes

There's no doubt that the average carpet works hard. From dirt to spills, carpeting takes a punishment, and the accumulation of moisture and particulates in carpeting can create a fertile environment for bacteria to grow. Carpet odor causes can be as obvious as pet stains and as subtle as the grease laden steam coming from your kitchen. They all invite bacterial infestation that leads to a smelly carpet.

This sounds discouraging, but there are ways to beat carpet odors. Carpet odor causes may be inevitable, but the process that perpetuates nasty smells can be controlled with a regular carpet cleaning and maintenance routine.

Carpet Odor Causes and Cures

Some carpet odor causes are easy to identify. If there's a smoker in your home, you have pets, or your kitchen isn't well ventilated, you'll probably have problems with carpet odor and have a clear notion of where they're coming from.

Other causes can be more subtle. If someone in your home has pronounced foot odor, the bacteria from smelly feet can infiltrate the carpeting. If your home isn't well ventilated, poor air circulation can lead to odor. This can happen if you don't change your HVAC filter and vacuum cleaner bag regularly too. If you use a carpet shampooer and aren't careful about vacuuming up as much residual moisture as possible, you may be inadvertently causing a musty smell and maybe even the growth of mold and mildew.

The best way to deal with odors you can identify and also those you can't is to begin a regular carpet maintenance routine:

• Start by vacuuming your carpeting regularly. If you have pets, daily vacuuming isn't too much. Work in one small section of carpet at a time and go over each area with multiple overlapping strokes.
• Use area and entry rugs to trap as much obvious dirt as possible.
• If you have a fan in your range hood and bathroom, be sure to use it to vent moisture and odor. Clean any filters often.
• Keep pets away from carpets and use a black light to find pet stains that may be causing odor.
• Clean spills immediately and take extra care to remove as much moisture as possible in the process.
• Have your carpets professionally cleaned annually, and if you shampoo them yourself in the interim, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the cleaning agents you're using.

With a strategy and a regular routine you can address carpet odor causes and stop odors before they start.