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