This simple DIY carpet freshener will make your home smell great and help get rid of lingering odors from everyday use.
Sometimes when you feel like the house doesn't smell great it's the carpet. I notice this in our upstairs bedrooms as most of our first floor is not carpeted. I think possibly the warm weather and humidity might be part of the problem, even with air conditioning.
So today I'm sharing a quick and easy way to help freshen your carpets and it only takes minutes to make.
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Make a Carpet Deodorizer or Freshener
What You'll Need
- Baking Soda
- Essential Oils
- A Shaker Bottle - Pint Mason Jar
- Sprouting Mesh Lids
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- Funnel or Piece of Paper
- Dried Herbs and Spices - optional
Why Baking Soda?
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. When it comes in contact with acids it reacts and neutralizes them. You probably have a box in your refrigerator.
Step 1. - Measure 1.5 cups of baking soda into a glass bowl. Add 5 drops of essential oil and mix well. Continue adding five essential oil drops and stirring five more times.
Note: You could also add some dried herbs such as lavender flowers or dried rosemary leaves if you want.
Step 2. - Use a piece of folded paper (see image above) to create a funnel or use any funnel to pour the carpet freshener mix into a pint mason jar.
Step. 3 - Use a mesh sprouting lid on top to make the mixture easy to sprinkle onto the carpet. However, keep the original lid for storing when not in use. This will keep the essential oils from dissipating or fading.
How to Use a DIY Carpet Deodorizer
- Sprinkle the mixture all over your carpet.
- Wait 20 - 30 minutes.
- Vacuum well.
Feel free to use the labels shown above. The first one will fit on a standard mason jar lid. The second one can be taped or glued to any side.
Essential Oils to Use
I like uplifting scents such as citrus, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, or a blend. You can use any essential oil(s) you like.
Since we are empty nesters and currently do not have any pets I don't worry about it however, I have read that cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. If you have any pets or small children check with your vet or pediatrician first.
Safety Notes:
- Keep pets and small children away from the room while the carpet freshener is setting before you vacuum.
- Talk to your vet about potential harm or irritation due to essential oils. I have read that cats are especially sensitive to essential oils.
Variations
- You can skip the essential oils as the baking soda does all the hard lifting.
- You can use the lid of a large spice jar or cheese shaker instead of buying a mesh sprouting lid. You could also make your own out of cardboard that you punch holes into.
- Small shaker cans (see image below) used for powdered sugar work well too.
When you spend a lot of time in your home it's really nice to have it looking and smelling clean, especially in the place where you sleep each night.
Homemade Carpet Deodorizer
Equipment
- Glass Mixing Bowl or other non-reactive bowl
- measuring cups
- Large Spoon
- Funnel or piece of paper
- Pint Mason Jar
Materials
- 1.5 cups Baking Soda
- 30 drops Essential Oils
- Dried Herbs and/or Spices optional
Instructions
- Measure out 1.5 cups of baking soda into a glass bowl.
- Add 5 drops of essential oils around the baking soda and stir well.
- Continue adding drops of essential oils to the baking soda five more times to ensure the oils are well incorporated.
- Add some dried lavender or other dried herbs if desired. (optional)
- Use a funnel or a piece of paper folded into a funnel shape to add the carpet deodorizer to a mason jar fitted with a mesh lid or other glass or shaker stainless steel container.
- Keep a lid on the container when not in use to keep the fragrance from dissipating.
- To use shake the mixture all over your carpet. Wait 20 minutes then vacuum thoroughly.
Carole
Perfect timing, I was going to look for something for our rugs. Thank you and you are right some essential oils can be harmful for animals. It's an easy Google search for readers to find out what is okay to use. Thank again!
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole. I don't have any pets or small children around our house but I did want to make sure that anyone reading the post was aware of any complications.