How Long Should Carpet Smell After Cleaning

Have you ever wondered how long the smell from a freshly cleaned carpet should last? After using your carpet cleaner or renting a carpet cleaner machine, it’s normal to catch a whiff of chemicals for a little while. But how long is too long?

What Causes the Smell?

It’s not just you – there is definitely a smell associated with a newly cleaned carpet. This odor comes from the cleaning chemicals in carpet cleaner products. Whether you used a rental machine, hired a pro, or tackled it yourself with a home carpet cleaner, these solutions contain powerful cleaners that lift dirt and grime out of your fibers.

But along with the dirt, they also release their own unique scents into the air. Common culprits include vinegar, essential oils like eucalyptus, and fragrance chemicals meant to cover up less pleasant cleaning smells. The combination of all these fumes wafting up from a freshly scrubbed rug leads to that distinctive “just cleaned” aroma.

How Long Will It Last?

On average, most carpet cleaning smells should fade within 24 to 72 hours after cleaning. But there are some factors that can lengthen or shorten the odor duration:

• Carpet cleaner used – Stronger solutions may linger longer than natural cleaners.
• Carpet thickness – Thick, plush carpets hold smells more than thin, low-pile rugs.
• Cleaning method – Rented carpet cleaner machines that heavily saturate carpets will cause smells to last longer than light wet cleaning.
• Air flow/sunlight – Good ventilation and exposure to sunlight helps smells dissipate more quickly. Stagnant, poorly ventilated areas hold odors.
• Number of applications – The more times a area is cleaned in one session, the longer the residual smells may persist.

When to Be Concerned

While its generally advisable to wait for odors to dissipate there are instances where a lingering smell should raise concern;

• If smells linger for more, than 5 days it might be wise to investigate further.
• A scent that grows stronger over time of fading could indicate an issue.
• The sudden presence of odors like musty or chemical scents that go beyond typical cleaning smells should be addressed.
• If odors start causing symptoms such, as eyes or headaches it’s important to address and troubleshoot the source.

If any of the above occur, it’s a good idea to have the carpet re-cleaned, use odor neutralizing sprays or call in a professional for help identifying the source. A single application of carpet cleaner shouldn’t cause smells to linger indefinitely.

Preventing Long-Term Odors

When waiting around doesn’t cut it there are a things you can do to speed up the process of getting rid of odors;

1. Let some air in by opening windows and using fans to get the air moving within the two days.
2. Consider using an air purifier with a filter to help clear out any lingering smells.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet before vacuuming to soak up any leftover odors.
4. Lightly spray a mix of vinegar and water, on the carpet to naturally neutralize any scents.
5. Use an ozone generator in the room when its empty to break down odor causing molecules.
6. Vacuum, in the beginning to suck up any remaining odors stuck in the carpet fibers.

Final Thought

With some patience and these extra steps, you can help ensure carpet cleaning smells don’t overstay their welcome. And you’ll know when it really is time to call in the pros for additional odor remediation. Freshly cleaned carpets should smell clean, not foul!