Carpet deodorisers: friend or foe?
Are you on the hunt for where that unpleasant smell is coming from? If you follow your nose, you may find it’s one of these common culprits: bins that need a clean, a forgotten bowl of milky cereal, an undiscovered pet mishap, or even mould and mildew.
But what if the smell persists? You’ve tackled the obvious – what you found – and have flung open the doors and windows to ventilate the house, and yet the air is still whiffy especially when the house is closed up or gets warm.
With all the optimism of Martha Stewart, you dispense a good shake of scented powder, or a few spritzes from an aerosol can. Phew – sorted, right?
If only!
For many homeowners the promise of fast, convenient odour removal is tempting. After all, when a product promises the solution to your problem, it seems an obvious choice. But the truth is, carpet deodorisers, whether spray or powder, don’t solve the problem. If the cause is still there, it can only be disguised temporarily. It will return.
In pursuit of freshness: are deodorisers a good choice?
If we consider what causes odour to occur in carpet, you may be able to adjust your expectations about deodorising alone.
Here are four top causes of carpet odours:
- Trapped moisture
- Airborne odours settling into the carpet (such as smoke, or strong cooking odours)
- Build-up of dog-fur oils
- Microbial activity: when organic matter in the carpet either contains bacteria or it begins to decompose, the natural microbial changes happening can give off to odours.
Most domestic carpet deodorisers fall into two categories:
- Spray air fresheners work by masking odours with stronger fragrance than the original smell. Depending on the brand you buy and the amount you are prepared to pay, some may contain basic neutralisers but their effectiveness is limited because they’re deodorising the air only.
- Powder deodorisers claim to absorb odours so they can be vacuumed away. However, this over-simplified ‘odour science’ is somewhat misleading if there is a substance in the carpet that is giving off an odour.
These types of products create the illusion of cleanliness, but the actual source of odour – whether it’s pet urine, mould, spilled milk, oils from the dog’s coat, or forgotten food under a teenager’s bed – typically resides deeper in the carpet fibres and will continue to create odour. So, unless you tackle the source of smell, the odour always returns.
That’s where the real issue lies: store deodorisers don’t clean – they just cover up.
And, rest assured, your visitors who are blessed with a nose that knows will still detect the underlying bad smell as well as the citrus, floral or vanilla masking product!
Hidden snags of carpet deodorisers
Always examine the ingredients list of store-bought carpet deodorisers, especially if anyone in your household has respiratory issues or chemical sensitivities. Phthalates, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde, and benzyl acetate are commonly included. These substances can trigger respiratory issues, skin irritation and headaches, especially in children and pets (both of whom spend a lot of time on the floor), and those with asthma or allergies or lung conditions. Check for any precautions noted on the packaging.
There are some risks also to the carpet itself. Over time, repeated use of powders will change the feel of your carpet, attract dirt, and will make your next carpet clean more difficult than it should be (and likely cost you more) as the residues will have to be flushed out for an effective clean.
To avoid the chemical overload, you may be tempted to Google and create a DIY carpet deodoriser. But far from being harmless, DIY deodorising powders can really damage your carpets. We’ve seen carpet permanently stained or bleached out by DIY solutions. Also, over time ultra-fine particles settle deep into the carpet pile and standard vacuums struggle to pick them up, which is problematic because they can accelerate wear and tear. (Remember that baking soda, for instance, is used as an abrasive cleaner in many domestic and commercial applications so its wear on carpet is unavoidable.)
It’s also important to remember that better or quicker results can’t be achieved by over-using a carpet product, either in quantity or repeated applications.
Do it once, do it right
True odour elimination happens when you target the cause and not the symptoms. Some simple carpet odours can be banished with just a thorough steam clean at a high temperature and with an effective, eco-friendly cleaning additive. Others are a bit more needy! These are likely to be:
- Pet accidents
- Vomit
- Smoke or cooking odours
- Spilled milk and food residue
- Mould and mustiness from dampness.
Breaking down the contaminant and – either immediately, or after a specified wait-period – flushing the carpet clean is key.
Advanced Carpet Cleaning sources leading products from around the world for breaking down odour-causing substances. These products may be specific to certain carpet types and odour types, and may contain anti-microbial agents, enzymes and other deactivators.
And, as you’d expect, the sooner an odour-causing contaminant is found and treated the greater the chance of success.
Welcome your visitors with whole-home freshness
Any textile can hold odours. Sofas, armchairs, rugs, and curtains trap odours just as easily as carpets. If your rugs or furniture could talk there would likely be tales of pets, food, outside shoes, cooking, renovating, babies and children, parties, teenagers, entertaining …. all the usual stuff, and all can cause unwanted, persistent odours.
Thankfully, Advanced Carpet Cleaning’s expertise extends beyond carpets so let’s work out how to get your home from whiffy to welcoming!
Book with the best carpet cleaning professionals in Christchurch
Carpet deodorisers may offer a fleeting sense of cleanliness, but they’re no substitute for proper care. The real solution lies in professional carpet cleaning services – people with expertise to clean below the surface, address what’s causing the smell, and restore your carpet or furniture to their best condition.
When it comes to removing deep-set odours, don’t reach for another can of air freshener. Call time on the source of the odour. Advanced Carpet Cleaning in Christchurch has the expertise, commercial-grade equipment, products and experience to effectively and safely deliver the best possible solution to your problem.
Do we need to mention how professional carpet cleaning restores the carpet’s feel, colour, and softness? Your home will look as good as it smells. Choose lasting freshness, genuine hygiene, and superior results.
Call 0800 566 576 and tell us about the malodourous notes you’d like banished.
Our services
