When I moved into the house the living room smelt like something dead! I had the carpet cleaned and after a couple of days the smell went but if the kids spill any drinks etc (they're not allowed drinks in there anyway but sneak them in when I'm upstairs or the kitchen) the awful smell comes back. What can the smell be and what can I do about it - I can't afford a new carpet.
2006-12-24 02:19:24 · 12 answers · asked by nettyone2003 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
try taking the carpet up and scrubbing the floorboards with a solution of bleach and water when dry relay carpet and then sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda leave overnight and hoover off in the morning
2006-12-24 09:03:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mags 2 · 2⤊ 6⤋
The smell is possibly mildew or mold in your padding. It feeds off of organic material, hence when drinks are spilled. Since it can live deep in the pores of the pad there is no real way to treat it. How does it get there? Animal waste that is left on the carpet to soak in, and is not cleaned right away, is one way, an overflowed toilet that pumped waste water out onto the carpet is another, and once it's in, it's there for life. If you can narrow it down to one area in particular, pull back the carpet and look for any discoloration on the back of the carpet, on the padding and on the flooring underneath the padding. Carpet can be cleaned and treated, but the padding should be replaced. Are you living in an apartment, or a rental? Or did you purchase? If it is a rental, the landlord is responsible for replacing any carpet and padding that has come into contact with raw sewage, it is a health hazard.
2006-12-24 02:34:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps something dead was on the carpet! Did you look under the floorboards ? There (may) be a dead cat or rat that has been trapped and died and decayed. But lets assume it is the carpet, bicarbonate of soda is very good for removing smells, just shake it over the offending area at night and vacuum it off the next morning. Have you tried `febreeze` you spray it over the area.
2006-12-24 02:36:04 · answer #3 · answered by Social Science Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as though the problem could be an underlying one with something under the carpet. I think that the only answer might be to take the carpet up and really see what the problem is on the floor. If there is nothing obvious visible then scrub the floor thoroughly and replace the carpet. Cover the carpet with a carpet freshener and then vacuum well. Good luck I hope you get rid of it. Merry Xmas
2006-12-24 03:48:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It could be the underlay. We had a bedroom that smelled of rubber wet suit ( so I thought) but when the wetsuit went the smell stayed and it was the rubber carpet underlay. Also, if someone has spilt an oil type liquid like perfume oil or baby oil you are stuck with it until the carpet is replaced. If you are able to take the carpet up and wash it on your driveway that might solve the problem. Hope you are successful.
2006-12-25 09:19:05 · answer #5 · answered by Bronzewall 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You will have to be more specific about the smell - if it really is the overpowering stench of death, then there is no doubt there is something or someone buried around the house, perhaps a dead rat under the floorboards!
If the smell is a urine/ammonia type then used some 1 litre of warm water mixed in with 1 tbs of bicarbinate of soda. That will get rid of any lingering smell caused through urine.
2006-12-24 02:33:33 · answer #6 · answered by deepthroat 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My mum had this problem once and it was the previous owners dogs what caused the problems.
We tried carpet cleaning and it didn't work eventually the carpet had to be taken away to be cleaned and also the floor boards had to be scrubbed with bleach before we got rid of the smell
2006-12-24 04:25:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you may favor to drag up the carpet and sparkling the bottom of the carpet and and padding...because it receives in there and the micro organism grows that's going to proceed to stink until eventually you get all of it up. i'd imagine in case you've been to attempt this with an excellent carpet purifier it may preserve it. :)
2016-12-01 03:34:20 · answer #8 · answered by duperne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get rid of the carpet, and tile it. it'll be easier to clean up, and your kids are less likely to get allergies and breathing problems from dirty dusty carpeting in the future
2006-12-24 10:21:06 · answer #9 · answered by 19871019 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
use white vinegar on a damp cloth and clean entire room it will soon disappear vinegar works wonders then spay all over with fabric spray
2006-12-24 02:22:59 · answer #10 · answered by julie b 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋