Freshen your carpets naturally with this simple homemade carpet deodoriser made with bicarbonate of soda and optional essential oils.
Wall-to-wall carpet feels soft and comfortable underfoot, but it can be challenging to keep smelling fresh. This is especially true in busy homes with children, pets, everyday foot traffic, and the occasional spill. Even when the house looks clean and the carpets are vacuumed regularly, lingering odours can make a room feel stale.
Steam cleaning helps, but carpets can still hold onto smells between deeper cleans. Pet odours, moisture, dust, food crumbs, and general household activity can all contribute to that unpleasant “not quite clean” smell that greets you when you walk through the door.
The good news is that you do not need expensive supermarket carpet powders or heavily scented products to freshen your home. A simple, old-fashioned solution can work beautifully: bicarbonate of soda.
How to Use Bicarbonate of Soda to Deodorise Carpet
Bicarbonate of soda, also known as bicarb soda or baking soda, is a cheap and natural carpet deodoriser that has been used in homes for generations. It helps absorb unwanted smells rather than simply covering them with perfume. For many households, this makes it a better choice than commercial carpet fresheners, particularly if you are sensitive to artificial fragrances.
Many store-bought carpet deodorisers contain strong synthetic scents. While those fragrances may seem fresh at first, they can be overpowering and may cause irritation for people who are sensitive to perfumes. If artificial scents give you itchy eyes, sneezing, headaches, or irritated sinuses, a fragrance-free homemade carpet freshener can be a much gentler option.
Using bicarbonate of soda on carpet is simple. Sprinkle a light, even layer over the carpet, allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes, and then vacuum it up thoroughly. The longer it sits, the more time it has to absorb odours. For very stale carpet, you may prefer to leave it for longer before vacuuming, as long as your carpet and vacuum cleaner are suitable.
Bicarbonate of soda is also useful in other areas of the home. A small bowl placed in the fridge can help absorb food smells, and a little sprinkled into smelly shoes can help reduce odour. For carpets, it is one of the easiest low-cost cleaning ingredients to keep on hand.
Essential oils are optional. The bicarbonate of soda does the main deodorising work, while essential oils add a pleasant scent. If you prefer a completely unscented natural carpet deodoriser, leave the oils out. If you enjoy a light fragrance, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil and mix well before sprinkling the powder over the carpet.
Popular choices include lavender, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, and citronella. These oils are often used in homemade cleaning products because of their fresh scent. However, if you have pets, use essential oils with care. Some essential oils can be harmful to animals, so check whether your chosen oil is safe for your household before using it on carpet or soft furnishings.
Important note: always read your vacuum cleaner instruction manual before using bicarbonate of soda as a carpet deodoriser. Some manufacturers warn against vacuuming fine powders because they may affect the motor or filter system. If in doubt, avoid using this method or test only a very small area first.
DIY Natural Carpet Deodoriser
This easy homemade carpet deodoriser helps freshen carpet naturally without expensive products or artificial scents.
2 minutes
5 minutes
15 minutes
22 minutes
Easy
<$1
Materials
- 1 cup bicarbonate of soda
- 15–30 drops of your favourite essential oil, optional
Tools
- Jar or bowl and spoon
- Sieve, optional
Instructions
- Sift one cup of bicarbonate of soda to remove lumps. This helps the powder sprinkle more evenly across the carpet.
- If using essential oil, add 15–30 drops to the bicarbonate of soda and stir well. You can also place the mixture in a jar, seal it, and shake until combined. Store any leftover carpet deodoriser in the jar for later use.
- Sprinkle a light layer of the mixture over the carpet. Use a shaker if you have one, or make a simple shaker by covering the top of a jar with paper, securing it with a rubber band, and poking a few small holes in the paper. A spoon also works for small areas.
- Leave the powder on the carpet for at least 15 minutes. For stronger odours, allow it to sit longer so the bicarbonate of soda has more time to absorb smells.
- Vacuum thoroughly, making sure all of the powder is removed from the carpet fibres.
- Enjoy cleaner-smelling carpet and a fresher home.
Homemade carpet freshener powder is a practical, budget-friendly way to reduce unpleasant carpet odours without relying on artificial fragrances. With just bicarbonate of soda and an optional essential oil, you can make a natural carpet deodoriser that is quick to prepare, easy to use, and gentle on your home environment.