How Can I Get Rid of A New Carpet Smell?

As many homeowners have noticed, new carpet frequently has an unpleasant odor after a home improvement project when new carpet is installed. Certain adhesives used to bond the carpet to the floor might exacerbate this in rare circumstances.

Fortunately, you don’t have to just put up with the awful odors and hope they go away soon. We have provided some advice on how to get rid of smell when new carpet odors as well as how to avoid having to deal with these smells in the first place.

Why Is My New Carpet Stinking?

The new carpet’s odor is created by substances known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Many of the chemicals in this large category are commonly used in the production of home items such as paint, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, floor finishes, and so on.

Volatile indicates that they evaporate at a normal temperature. As a result, as the new carpet gradually releases, or “off-gasses,” the chemicals, they enter the air and may be smelled.

When installing new carpet, one often overlooked factor that can significantly affect indoor air quality is the foam padding placed underneath. This padding can be a major source of the distinctive smell associated with new carpets.

What’s Behind the Smell?

Carpet padding typically contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can evaporate into the air, creating that new carpet aroma. VOCs are chemicals that easily become vapors or gases and are often emitted by conventional synthetic padding materials. These compounds can contribute to indoor air pollution and may have adverse health effects over time.

Choosing Low-VOC Alternatives

To minimize these odors, it’s wise to opt for padding made from low-VOC or VOC-free materials. Here are some alternatives to consider:

• Recycled Felt: This material not only offers excellent cushioning but also reduces environmental impact, as it is made from repurposed materials.
• Natural Rubber: Known for its durability and eco-friendliness, natural rubber padding is a superb choice for those looking to limit VOC emissions.

The Bottom Line

Discussing padding options with your flooring professional before installation can help ensure you select a product that suits your health and environmental preferences, mitigating unwanted odors in the process.

How to Get Rid of That New Carpet Smell?

First, choose a carpet with a Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label or Green Label Plus certification. These are highly recommended since they emit low-emission substances in room temperature.

Discovering Carpet Fibers: Types and Their Unique Traits

When exploring carpet options, understanding the various fiber types can significantly influence your decision. Here’s a look at the most common carpet fibers and their distinct characteristics:

• Berber: Known for its durability, Berber carpet boasts a low-profile design and is incredibly easy to maintain. Its looped fibers resist stains and dirt, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Plush: For those who prioritize comfort, plush carpet is the go-to choice. Its dense, velvety texture offers a luxurious feel underfoot, perfect for bedrooms and living rooms.
• Frieze: This carpet stands out with its twisted, uneven fibers, providing a relaxed, casual appearance. Frieze’s unique texture can hide dirt and footprints, making it a practical choice for busy households.
• Patterned Carpets: Adding a touch of sophistication, patterned carpets feature intricate designs that enhance the aesthetic of any room. They bring a sense of elegance and are great for formal spaces.
• Hypoallergenic Options: Some modern carpets are engineered to be hypoallergenic, reducing allergens and simplifying maintenance. These carpets are excellent for those with sensitivities or allergies.
• Indoor-Outdoor Carpets: Versatility is the hallmark of indoor-outdoor carpets. These fibers are designed to withstand varying weather conditions, making them suitable for patios, sunrooms, or any multipurpose space.
• Commercial Grade Carpets: Created to endure significant foot traffic, commercial-grade carpets are made from ultra-durable materials. They’re prevalent in offices and public areas where resilience is paramount.

Each type of carpet fiber presents its unique benefits, tailored to different needs and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for comfort, durability, or elegance, there’s a carpet to suit your home’s requirements.

Exploring the Advantages of Odor-Neutralizing and Hypoallergenic Carpets

Odor-neutralizing and hypoallergenic carpets are a smart choice for healthier, fresher homes.

• Fresh Environment: These carpets eliminate unpleasant smells, keeping spaces with pets or heavy traffic inviting and clean.
• Allergy Reduction: Hypoallergenic designs reduce dust, pollen, and irritants, improving indoor air quality and easing allergy symptoms.

Installation Tip: Before laying the carpet, unroll it in a dry, ventilated area for 2–3 days to off-gas chemical vapors. For a safer setup, staple or tack the carpet instead of gluing it down.

What Materials Can Be Used for Low-VOC or VOC-Free Carpet Padding?

When searching for low-VOC or VOC-free carpet padding options, it’s crucial to select sustainable materials that contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Here are some excellent choices:

• Recycled Felt: Crafted from post-consumer materials, recycled felt is a popular option. It’s not only eco-friendly but also durable, providing effective insulation and a cushioned feel underfoot.
• Natural Rubber: This biodegradable option is derived from rubber trees and offers excellent durability and resilience. Natural rubber padding delivers comfort without compromising indoor air quality.
• Wool Padding: As a natural fiber, wool is an effective, sustainable padding material. It comes with inherent flame resistance and moisture-wicking properties, making it a reliable, VOC-free choice.
• Jute Fiber: Originating from plant sources, jute is another fantastic natural material. Its strength and biodegradability make it an ideal choice for green homes.

Opting for these materials ensures that your carpet padding will not only be sustainable but also free from harmful toxins, helping to maintain the quality of the air in your home.

Air purified

Airing out the space is one of the most efficient techniques to eliminate unpleasant odors. To circulate the air, open all the windows and doors and put on the air conditioner or heating.

Use fans instead of your HVAC unit if you are concerned about your energy costs.

How Portable Air Purifiers Eliminate New Carpet Odors

When you install new carpeting, it often comes with a strong, distinctive odor. Fortunately, portable air purifiers can effectively address this issue. Here’s how they work:

• Activated Carbon Filters: Opt for an air purifier equipped with an activated carbon filter. This feature is critical, as it captures gaseous pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly released from new carpets.
• Improving Air Circulation: Portable air purifiers circulate the room’s air while filtering it, reducing the concentration of the carpet’s odors more quickly than ventilation alone.
• Versatility and Convenience: These devices are easy to move, allowing you to target specific areas where the smell is particularly strong. You can place them in different rooms to ensure comprehensive odor reduction.

Moreover, installing a filter attachment in your central air conditioning system can enhance the purification process. By combining these strategies with running your air conditioning, you can vent out new carpet odors more efficiently, leaving your space fresh and inviting.

Plants That Purify Your Air and Remove VOCs

When it comes to enhancing indoor air quality and removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), several houseplants stand out as effective natural solutions.

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
   Known for its resilience, pothos is not only easy to care for but also excellent at filtering out VOCs like formaldehyde. This hardy plant can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, making it a popular choice for homes and offices.
2. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
   Aloe vera isn’t just for soothing sunburns. This succulent can also remove pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde, commonly found in cleaning products. Plus, it releases oxygen at night, improving air quality while you sleep.
3. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
   The bamboo palm effectively eliminates a variety of air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. It’s not only an air purifier but also adds a tropical touch to your space.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
   Renowned for its ability to remove toxins like ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde, the peace lily is both beautiful and functional. It thrives in shade and moderate conditions, making it an ideal indoor plant.

Incorporating these plants into your home can substantially improve the air you breathe by reducing the presence of harmful chemicals and boosting oxygen levels.

Make use of baking soda on the carpet

Baking soda is a natural substance that is particularly good in eliminating unpleasant odors. Sprinkle some on your new carpet and let it lie for a day or two before vacuuming it up. If you still detect unpleasant odors, repeat the process.

How to Use Vinegar to Absorb Carpet Odors

Looking for a natural way to eliminate carpet odors? Vinegar can be a surprisingly effective solution. Follow these simple steps to refresh your space:

1. Gather Small Bowls: Select a few small, sturdy bowls to hold the vinegar. Choose materials that won’t be damaged by acid, such as glass or ceramic.
2. Fill with Vinegar: Add white vinegar to each bowl. You’ll need enough to cover the bottom but don’t overfill.
3. Strategic Placement: Distribute the bowls throughout the room. Place them on stable surfaces, like tables or shelves, to avoid any accidental spills.
4. Let it Sit: Allow the vinegar to work its magic overnight. This gives it ample time to neutralize lingering odors.
5. Avoid Contact with Carpet: Take care to ensure vinegar does not come into direct contact with your carpet, as its smell might cling to fibers if spilled.

By harnessing the natural properties of vinegar, you can effortlessly freshen up your living space without using harsh chemicals.

How Can Apples Freshen the Air and Eliminate Carpet Odors?

Looking for a natural way to improve your home’s scent and tackle stubborn carpet odors? Apples offer a simple yet effective solution. Here’s how you can use them:

1. Preparation: Begin by slicing a few apples in half. Choose fresh apples, as they hold the most natural fragrance.
2. Placement: Place each apple half in a small bowl. Add a little water to each bowl, ensuring the apples remain juicy and fragrant.
3. Strategic Positioning: Spread these bowls around the room, focusing on areas with noticeable carpet odors. The apples will absorb unwanted smells.
4. Natural Aroma: As a bonus, apples release a subtle, pleasant aroma, providing a refreshing ambiance without synthetic chemicals.

By following these steps, you’ll harness the power of apples to naturally freshen your space and keep your carpets smelling clean.

Vacuum Carpet Storage

The new carpet smell that so many people dislike is usually generated by chemical compounds utilized by carpet manufacturers. Vacuuming can aid in the removal of chemical compounds, loose fluff, and dust particles.

Vacuum your new carpet at least once every other day, even if it doesn’t appear dirty, to eliminate odors faster than would otherwise be feasible.

Do Not Attempt to “Replace” the Smell

Don’t use detergent to get rid of the “new carpet” scent. Detergents frequently leave an unpleasant residue on new carpets; therefore, the new smell may not be significantly better than the old.

Why Avoid Using Food or Cooking Smells to Cover New Carpet Odors?

It’s tempting to light up the oven or brew a fragrant dish to hide new carpet smells but this strategy can backfire. Food aromas, especially from cooking, can easily seep into your carpet fibers. Instead of masking odors, you may end up with persistent scents like garlic, onions, or fried foods clinging to your new investment.

These smells are often much harder to remove than the original new carpet odor. Plus, layering food scents over chemical smells doesn’t improve your home’s environment in fact, it can result in an even less pleasant combination lingering for weeks.

Instead, stick to natural odor absorbers like baking soda, vinegar, or apples for a fresher, more inviting space.

How to avoid the smell in a newly carpeted room?

Buying a carpet with a “Low VOC” designation is one approach to avoid new carpet smell concerns. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, have a strong odor and might cause health concern if you have allergies.

Don’t be concerned if you get a new carpet and discover that it has a strong odor. In most situations, if you air out the area as much as possible, vacuum regularly, and apply baking soda as needed, the smell will go away in a few days. The unfamiliar “new carpet” scent is common and, while it may be a bit unpleasant, it’s generally not harmful. The small amount of chemicals responsible for the odor are unlikely to cause any health issues, and with a bit of patience and consistent care, the scent should fade within a week or two. Just remember: regular ventilation and cleaning are your best allies in speeding up the process and enjoying your comfortable new flooring. While the “new carpet” scent may be unpleasant, it is a small price to pay for comfortable, long-lasting flooring.

How to Clean a New Carpet?

Ventilate the Room: The easiest way to remove new carpet odors is to air out the space. Open windows, turn on multiple fans, and direct airflow toward the windows for about 72 hours or until the smell fades. Using your air conditioner or heater can also help, though it may raise electricity costs.

Steam Cleaning: For stubborn odors, steam cleaning can wash away chemical residues in the fibers. DIY steam cleaners work, but professional carpet cleaning is more effective.

Vacuum Regularly: Even new carpets benefit from frequent vacuuming. Vacuum daily or every other day initially to reduce odors and remove loose fluff, dust, or installation debris.

How Can Onions Help in Reducing New Carpet Smell?

New carpet smell, often attributed to the off-gassing of chemicals, can be quite bothersome. One surprising yet effective solution is using onions. Here’s how they can help neutralize those unpleasant odors:

1. Natural Odor Absorbent: Onions are known for their strong scent, which can overpower and soak up unwanted smells, including those from new carpets. By cutting onions in half and placing them strategically around the room, they work to absorb and neutralize odors.
2. Easy Setup: Grab a few large onions, cut them in half, and place each in a small bowl with a little water to keep them fresh. Arrange these bowls at various spots in the room.
3. Overnight Freshness: For optimal results, it’s best to leave the onion bowls out overnight. This extended period allows the onions to maximize their odor-absorbing potential and expedite the reduction of chemical smells from the carpeting.
4. Safety Considerations: While using onions is a practical choice, ensure these bowls are kept out of reach from children and pets to prevent any unwanted incidents.

This method is cost-effective and natural, making it an appealing option for those seeking a simple remedy to freshen up the air after installing new carpet.

Enjoy the luxury of a spotless home without the effort! Book your appointment today and experience instant freshness.