Carpet Cleaning Service, Maintenance, Brownstown, MI

Why Does My Carpet Smell After Cleaning? How to Fix (2023)

Closeup of woman, female doing cleaning at home with vacuum cleaner showing head, brush on carpet floor, green plants, shelves, furniture

What's That Smell?

You’ve probably hired the services of a Carpet Cleaning company or you cleaned your carpet yourself.

Yet, several hours later, there is this unpleasant smell coming from your carpet.

It happens, and it is not uncommon.

Don’t doubt your cleaning skills, or feel you’ve wasted your money paying professional cleaning service. There are a number of reasons that could be responsible for your smelly carpet. In this article, we will show why it smells, and how to remove the unpleasant odor.

Why Does My Carpet Smell Worse After Cleaning?

That awful smell coming from your carpet could be for any of the following reasons:

Overwet Carpet

Overly wet carpet

Often, the reason a carpet is smelly after cleaning is because of overwetting. If excess moisture soaks into the carpet padding, it will lead to the build-up of mold and mildew. It is the mold and mildew that are responsible for the bad odor coming from your carpet.

Overwetting happens when the cleaning technician is inexperienced or the cleaning machine was not powerful enough to extract all the moisture from the carpet. Plumbing leaks can also lead to carpet mold.

Old Carpet Stains

Old stains on carpet

Some property owners don’t clean their carpets regularly, and this will lead to an accumulation of spills, stains, and dirt. These stains and dirt can find their way to the carpet underlay and will eventually start to smell at some point.

When the carpet is eventually given a deep cleaning, this awful odor will resurface and may persist long after the carpet has dried.

Pet Stains & Odors

Pet leaves behind stain
Untrained pets can leave a mess on your carpet, and if it is not taken care of immediately, the stain and accompanying odor will get stuck in your carpet. Pet urine contains ammonia and urochrome, which can cause permanent stains on your carpet

3 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Carpet Smells?

Avoid vacuuming wet carpets
Before we show you how to remove that unpleasant odor from your carpet, here are some things you should avoid doing when you have a wet stained carpet.

1. Don’t Vacuum The Wet Carpet On Your Own

The combination of electricity and a soaked carpet can be very dangerous. You can damage your domestic vacuum or, even worse, get electrocuted. It’s best to let professionals use a wet vacuum cleaner to safely soak up the moisture.

2. Don’t Put Furniture On The Carpet

Putting furniture on wet carpet allows for mold and mildew to grow beneath the furniture. The moisture can also damage the wood of the furniture. It best to let the carpet dry up, before returning the furniture to the room.

3. Don’t Step On The Carpet While It’s Still Wet

Stepping on the wet carpet will push the water back up and re-soak the carpet. The weight of your body can also push the moisture further into the carpet underlay.
Avoid stepping on wet carpets

How To Fix a Smelly Carpet?

The first thing to do is to open the windows to let in fresh air. This will help the carpet dry faster and prevent the build-up of a musty odor.

If your carpet remains smelly, then try any of the following remedies:

A bottle of White Vinegar

If Your Carpet Still Leaves Behind a Smell, Call a Professional Cleaning Service!

If you have applied any or all of the methods listed above, and your carpet remains smelly, it is time to call in the services of a professional carpet cleaner. At Brownstown Carpet Cleaning, we are a team of well-trained experts that are fully equipped to help you get that foul odor off your carpet. Give us a call at, 734.821.6667.

Frequently Asked Questions

There could be multiple reasons for this. One common cause is overwetting the carpet during the cleaning process, which can result in mold and mildew buildup. Old stains resurfacing after cleaning or unaddressed pet stains and odors can also be the culprits.

No, you shouldn’t. Vacuuming a wet carpet can be dangerous as it poses the risk of damaging your domestic vacuum cleaner or, in the worst-case scenario, getting electrocuted. If your carpet is wet, it’s recommended to let professionals handle the cleaning with a wet vacuum cleaner.

Start by opening the windows to allow for better air circulation. This will aid in faster drying and help reduce the musty odor. If the smell persists, you can place bowls of white vinegar or an open box of baking soda in the room overnight, use a dehumidifier, or sprinkle Borax powder on the carpet.

No, it’s best to avoid placing furniture on a wet carpet. Doing so can encourage mold and mildew growth under the furniture and can also potentially damage the wood of the furniture due to moisture. It’s best to wait until the carpet is completely dry before rearranging furniture.

If you’ve tried the methods listed in the article and still experience a persistent odor, it’s advisable to hire a professional carpet cleaning service like Brownstown Carpet Cleaning. Professional cleaners have the expertise and equipment to address stubborn odors effectively.

Brownstown Carpet Cleaning
Brownstown Carpet Cleaning

Brownstown Carpet Cleaning is the gold standard for clean floors in Brownstown and beyond. With years of expertise under our belt, we understand the nuances of every carpet fiber and spill. Our dedication isn't just to cleanliness but to educating our community.

Brownstown Carpet Cleaning
Brownstown Carpet Cleaning

Brownstown Carpet Cleaning is the gold standard for clean floors in Brownstown and beyond. With years of expertise under our belt, we understand the nuances of every carpet fiber and spill. Our dedication isn't just to cleanliness but to educating our community.

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