Gransnet forums

House and home

Removing smell from carpets

(18 Posts)
RusBun Tue 05-Sep-23 13:53:16

Accidentally spilled a bottle of strong aftershave on the carpet. Tried Febreeze, sprinkling carpet with salt or soda, leaving a jar with soda next to it. The smell just would not go.
Anybody had success?

AreWeThereYet Tue 05-Sep-23 13:56:44

You could try dabbing it with alcohol, maybe rubbing alcohol. I think alcohol dilutes perfume. Try dabbing a cotton wool ball with a bit of alcohol on it.

Doodledog Tue 05-Sep-23 14:01:17

Oof! I think I would get a professional cleaning company in. Tell them when you book that you want the smell removed rather than the carpet cleaned and see if they can help.

Redhead56 Tue 05-Sep-23 14:43:52

Shake and Vac it's still available in the shops?

fancythat Tue 05-Sep-23 14:46:19

Rug Doctor Oxy Power Stain Remover?
Not tried it on aftershave.
It has been successful in other things.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 05-Sep-23 14:56:03

Don’t you think the smell will fade, as it does on the skin?

Franbern Tue 05-Sep-23 16:09:34

For the first year in t his flat I left the old carpets. During that year I knocked over a full tumbler of milk shake. <Mopped it all up immeditely. Then for the next week, every day, I shampooed that area, and steam cleaned it - took seven days before I got rid of the smell of stale milk!!
It was the final reason for deciding to have Karndean flooring and no carpets.

midgey Tue 05-Sep-23 17:40:17

The smell of Shake and Vac may be worse than the aftershave!

maytime2 Wed 06-Sep-23 09:06:19

Soda Water is used to get rid of the smell of cat's urine on carpets. It's worth trying as it would not be expensive.

deedeedum Thu 07-Sep-23 11:44:07

Well it could have been worse even though the smell can be overwhelming. Take advantage of the warm weather, open the windows. Try bicarbonate of soda or baking soda/powder sprinkled on overnight then vacuum in the morning.

dlizi4 Thu 07-Sep-23 12:20:28

I agree with deedeedum , bicarbonate of soda, lots of it and brush it into the carpet/affected area. Hoover it up next day and repeat as necessary, Also you can buy charcoal bags on amazon which will help absorb the smell

grandtanteJE65 Thu 07-Sep-23 12:32:35

Have you tried spreading dry bicarbonate of soda (baking powder) on the stain?

Luap Thu 07-Sep-23 13:17:32

You could try white vinager spray available in supermarkets . Then if that works you could try Febreez after .

Georgesgran Thu 07-Sep-23 13:37:22

Unless the smell is offensive, I’d just leave it to fade over time.

SpringsEternal Thu 07-Sep-23 14:13:56

Bicarb of soda is very effective

Patsy70 Thu 07-Sep-23 14:38:35

I’m sure it will fade in time, and the smell could be worse (shake & vac for instance). I would use a carpet steamer.

wetflannel Thu 07-Sep-23 16:09:44

I would also say bicarbonate of soda in a sieve and shake it over the area, leave for a couple of hours and then vacuum up. B of C is excellent for absorbing smells.

Tanjamaltija Thu 07-Sep-23 16:50:39

A combination of plain (unscented) talcum powder and borax and bicarbonate of soda, left for 24 hours.