How to Get Rid of Wet Carpet Smell

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: November 27, 2023

If you catch a whiff of "wet carpet" smell in your home, see if you can remove the mustiness with baking soda and your strongest vacuum. If mold and mildew have taken hold within your carpet, however, you may need to clean the carpet more aggressively with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Finally, if the scent persists, consider consulting carpet cleaning professionals to determine whether the scent can be removed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Mustiness

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1
Sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet. Baking soda absorbs odors and moisture. Simply get a box from the grocery store and pour it liberally all over the carpet in the room with the wet carpet smell. Gently spread the baking soda around the carpet with a broom or sponge, working the powder into the carpet as you do so. ^{[1]
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- Allow the baking soda to remain on the carpet overnight.
- You can also use powdered borax in a similar manner. If you use borax, follow any safety precautions on the packaging.
Use the strongest vacuum you have and be sure to cover the entire surface of the carpet. Then vacuum the room a second time, making sure that you go over every area of the carpet from at least two different directions. ^{[2]
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3
Use a commercial carpet shampoo if the smell persists. Commercial carpet shampoo can also help remove a wet carpet smell. It can be found at your local grocery store or online. Follow the directions on the shampoo’s packaging, which will likely direct you to vacuum the carpet first. ^{[3]
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- Note that some carpet shampoos are designed to be used in a carpet cleaning machine, while others can be used with a sponge.
- For instance, you may need to sponge the shampoo into the carpet, allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes, and vacuum the entire area again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Homemade Cleaning Solutions

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1
Spray on a vinegar solution to kill mold. Plain white vinegar is extremely acidic, which gives it antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Not only can it kill mold and mildew, it can also help loosen and lift other debris from your carpet. To make a cleaning solution, mix 2 cups (0.47 L) of warm water with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of baking soda in a spray bottle. ^{[4]
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- Shake the mixture thoroughly and apply liberally to your carpet. Make more as needed.
- Note that the room will smell strongly of vinegar until the mixture dries.
- Once the mixture has dried, vacuum the room completely.
2
Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with a dye-free soap for use in a carpet machine. Mix 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dye-free mild soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s. Blend them into roughly 6 cups (1.4 L) of hot water. This mixture is ideal for home carpet cleaning machines.
- Find 3% hydrogen peroxide at a pharmacy or grocery store.
- Hydrogen peroxide may lighten the color of darker carpets. As long as you keep the percentage of hydrogen peroxide below 3%, however, this risk is minimal.
Use white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together for extra cleaning power. Blend ¹ ⁄ ₄ cup (59 mL) of white vinegar with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) each of hydrogen peroxide and mild dye-free soap in a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with warm water.
4
Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous spot. Especially when using hydrogen peroxide to clean your carpets, test your cleaning solution to ensure that you won’t accidentally cause discoloration. Simply wet a towel with your cleaning solution and rub it on the carpet in the corner of the closet, for instance. ^{[5]
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- Let it sit for a few minutes, blot with a dry towel, and wait 24 hours. If no fading or other discoloration occurs, your mixture is likely safe to use on the rest of the carpet.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of Persistent Smells

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Humidity is the primary cause of the mold and mildew that leads to wet carpet smell. As such, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to help prevent a musty smell from developing or returning after cleaning. Alternatively, keep a fan running and windows open. ^{[6]
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Baking soda absorbs moisture and odors. To keep these issues at bay, set out open containers of baking soda in rooms with lots of moisture and/or musty smells.
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Consult professional carpet cleaners if necessary. If you’ve tried getting rid of the wet carpet smell but the scent persists, it may be worth having professional carpet cleaners come take a look. They will be able to tell you whether the carpet can be cleaned and salvaged. ^{[7]
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- A carpet cleaning company may even be able to remove and fully clean a carpet damaged by flooding or another source of persistent moisture.
4
Remove the carpet for cleaning if possible. If you have a carpet that was installed with tack strips, you may be able to remove it, clean it, and reinstall it. If you or a carpet cleaning professional are able to salvage the carpet itself, the padding beneath it should still be replaced. ^{[8]
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- If cleaning the carpet yourself, mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts water and spray the entire carpet on both sides. Then lay it out in the direct sunlight until the carpet is fully dry.
5
Consider discarding moisture-damaged carpeting. If water has permeated your carpet and the padding beneath it, you may need to replace it. In general, if a carpet was saturated with liquid for more than 24 hours, or if moisture has allowed mold or mildew to permeate the carpet, it will need to be replaced. ^{[9]
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- If the source of moisture was temporary or minimal, your may be able to dry out a wet carpet .