The Simple Trick That Banishes Stubborn Musty Smells From Your Carpet

What some people don't know about hygiene is that we pick up scents based on our environment and location. If you hang around an area where all they do is smoke cigarettes, you're going to smell like cigarette smoke. This extends to your home smell as well. The way your house smells will affect the way you smell to other people. A nasty-smelling house will bounce off of you and you will also smell unappealing. Most times, houses get a lingering musty smell because of an accumulation of liquid spills, dirty feet, and moisture on your carpet floors. Once your carpet starts smelling funky, it can be a Herculean task to get it back on track, but it's never impossible. There is a simple trick that will banish that nose-wrinkling, musty stench from your carpet once and for all.

Carpeted spaces are gorgeous and have their benefits, but they are made up of synthetic fibers which trap moisture easily. Lack of proper ventilation as well as the bacteria and fungi that thrive on these carpets also contribute to that sour, damp stench that comes from them. Fortunately, this can be taken care of with one common ingredient you already have in your medicine cabinet.

Whether you're trying to get rid of that old carpet smell or a more serious stink in the fibers, your best bet is getting some hydrogen peroxide and spritzing it everywhere. Hydrogen peroxide is a useful home staple known for its ability to purge bad smells. This is because when it is exposed to oxygen or air, it oxidizes, dissolving terrible odors. 

To crack down on your musty carpet, you'll need a peroxide solution, per That Carpet Guy. In a container, mix together one cup of hydrogen peroxide and five cups of water before transferring the diluted peroxide to a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on your carpet and make sure it gets some good ventilation. For the really bad smells, give that cleaning routine an extra-strength boost by showering your carpet with some baking soda first before going in with the peroxide solution. Baking soda is a great deodorizer and will effectively combat that stench.

If you have a major spillage on your carpet, then you will need to call in professionals for a deep cleaning treatment to avoid fungal and bacterial growth. However, if your carpet just needs a quick-fix freshener to send that musty smell back to the abyss, then hydrogen peroxide is your best friend.