| Some odors seem to linger for days or even | | | | carpet to see if there is a visible stain on |
| weeks, such as cigarette smoke and pet | | | | the pad. If so, clean the pad and carpet |
| smells. To maintain an odor-free home, | | | | backing with the fabric deodorizer, let dry, |
| regular treatment with a fabric deodorizer is | | | | and replace. If you are unable to lift the |
| a safe and effective method. One of the key | | | | carpet and are quite sure the cause of the |
| tricks to eliminating odors is to find a | | | | odor seeped through, you can use a syringe to |
| method that safely eliminates the odor | | | | inject fabric deodorizer underneath the |
| without masking it. Many methods for | | | | carpet and into the padding. |
| eliminating odors only cover-up the odor | | | | |
| rather than remove it. When smells are caught | | | | Prior to using a carpet deodorizer, vacuum |
| in fabrics, such as clothing, furniture, or | | | | the area thoroughly, avoiding the use of any |
| carpet, masking odor only adds more "stuff" | | | | powder products directly on the carpet. Once |
| on top of the original offender, which means | | | | you have vacuumed, apply the carpet |
| even more to clean. Additionally, some | | | | deodorizer according to the product |
| methods that mask odors are temporary, and | | | | directions. Many can be applied directly to |
| some can even be harmful if harsh chemicals | | | | carpet using a spray bottle, which is quick |
| are used. Is it possible to remove lingering | | | | and effective. Once the product has dried, |
| odors in a safe manner that will not add air | | | | smell test the area for any lingering odors. |
| pollution to your home or build-up residue on | | | | The procedure may need to be repeated a few |
| fabrics? The good news is that it is possible | | | | times to completely remove the smell. After |
| using a fabric deodorizer and proper cleaning | | | | the fabric deodorizer has completely removed |
| techniques. | | | | the odor, then it is safe to steam clean, and |
| | | | you can rest easy knowing that you won't be |
| For strong smells in large areas such as on | | | | setting-in any long-term odors. |
| carpets, drapes, and furniture, the first | | | | |
| impulse is often to think that something just | | | | The same process can be used on drapery on a |
| as strong must be used to remove the smell. | | | | regular basis or prior to cleaning. Many dry |
| While steam cleaning machines appear to be | | | | cleaners use both steam and dry heat, so it |
| big and powerful, one drawback to steam | | | | is a good idea to use a fabric deodorizer on |
| cleaning is that it can set-in strong odors | | | | your draperies prior to dry cleaning, even |
| through the combination of steam and heat, | | | | though this seems counter-intuitive. As with |
| thereby creating exactly the opposite of what | | | | carpet, apply a natural fabric deodorizer to |
| is desired. Prior to steam cleaning, odors | | | | the drapes using a spray bottle and allow |
| can be removed using a natural fabric and | | | | time to dry. Test for odors and repeat as |
| carpet deodorizer. One that uses natural | | | | necessary. |
| ingredients is best, as these are less | | | | |
| harmful to you and the environment. Natural | | | | Fabric deodorizers can also be used |
| fabric and carpet deodorizers also do not | | | | effectively on furniture, where odors tend to |
| mask the smell; rather, the combination of | | | | accumulate easily from causes in the air, |
| natural ingredients work together to | | | | such as smoke, and repeated use by both |
| eliminate odors. | | | | people and pets. Vacuum furniture thoroughly |
| | | | prior to using a deodorizer, and then apply |
| When cleaning carpets in particular, the | | | | as directed. A good deodorizer will not stain |
| affected area requires investigation prior to | | | | fabric, although it is still a good idea to |
| treatment. If possible, determine if the odor | | | | do a test on an area that is out of view. A |
| has seeped through the carpet backing and | | | | natural fabric deodorizer may be less likely |
| into the pad. This requires lifting the | | | | to stain. |