DIY Carpet Freshener With Baking Soda and Lavender
Baking soda sprinkled on a dry carpet and vacuumed up the next morning is an old, cheap way to freshen a room. A little dried lavender adds a soft scent, unless you share your home with pets.
Rugs and carpets slowly collect the smells of daily life: cooking, damp shoes, a wet dog after a walk. Before you reach for a scented powder from the shop, try the one already in your kitchen cupboard.
Baking soda is the working part of this recipe. Dried lavender is there for a gentle scent. Below you will find how to make and use it, what it can and cannot do, and why pet owners should leave the lavender out.
How baking soda deals with smells
Utah State University Extension explains that baking soda neutralizes acid-based odors and can also take up odors from the air. It describes baking soda as a useful carpet deodorizer.
The method is simple. Iowa State University Extension suggests sprinkling baking soda generously over a dry carpet, leaving it overnight and vacuuming it up in the morning.
Baking Soda and Lavender Carpet Freshener
You need
- baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)250 g (about 1 cup)
- dried lavender buds, optional, skip if you have pets2 tbsp
Method
- Vacuum the carpet first so the baking soda can reach the fibers.
- If using lavender, crush the buds lightly between your fingers or in a mortar to release the scent, then mix them into the baking soda in a jar. Close the jar and leave it for a day so the powder picks up some of the smell.
- Sieve the powder to remove the lavender buds, so no plant bits get stuck in the carpet or the vacuum.
- Test a little on a hidden corner of the carpet first, especially on wool, silk or a dark rug.
- Sprinkle the powder evenly over the dry carpet. Use a shaker jar or a clean sieve for an even layer.
- Leave it overnight, keeping children and pets out of the room.
- Vacuum thoroughly in the morning, going over each area more than once.
Tips
- Only use it on a dry carpet. Damp baking soda clumps and is hard to vacuum out.
- Check your vacuum's instructions. Large amounts of fine powder can clog some filters and bags, so empty them afterwards.
- Keep the jar labeled and stored out of reach of children and pets.
Lavender, essential oils and pets
Many online recipes add a few drops of lavender essential oil. Carpets are where cats and dogs walk, lie and lick their paws, so this is one place to be careful.
The ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with signs such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. It also warns that concentrated essential oils can be dangerous to pets, and that pets who walk through oils or get them on their coat may become unsteady or depressed. If you have pets, use plain baking soda, keep them out of the room until you have vacuumed, and skip the oils.
What the evidence says
Baking soda really can help with mild, everyday smells, and university extension services in Utah and Iowa recommend it for carpets. It is a quick refresh, not a deep clean.
It is not a stain remover. Strong smells that keep coming back, such as pet urine or a musty smell, may mean the source is still there, in the carpet backing, the underlay or a damp floor. Lavender only adds a pleasant scent and does not change how well the baking soda works.
Questions people ask
How long should I leave baking soda on the carpet?
Iowa State University Extension suggests leaving it overnight and vacuuming in the morning. A shorter time still helps a little with light smells.
Can I use this on pet urine smells?
It may soften a mild smell, but it will not fix the source. Urine can soak deep into the carpet, so clean the spot itself and, if it keeps returning, consider professional cleaning.
Can I use another herb instead of lavender?
Yes, dried rosemary or mint work for scent too. The same advice applies: sieve out the plant bits, and skip herbs and oils if you have pets.
Sources
- Home Cleaning Chemistry — Utah State University Extension
- The Many Uses of Baking Soda — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (AnswerLine)
- The Essentials of Essential Oils Around Pets — ASPCA
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Lavender — ASPCA
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
