7 Easy Ways to Keep Your Carpet Smelling Fresh

If there’s one thing that quietly ruins the vibe of a clean home, it’s a carpet that smells just a little off. You know the one — that faint dog smell, the “kids were definitely eating snacks here” smell, or that general musty scent that seems to appear out of nowhere.

As a cleaning company that’s been working with carpets across Adelaide for more than a decade, we’ve seen (and smelled) it all. And the good news? You can freshen up carpet fibres without replacing them, resorting to heavy chemicals, or spending your entire weekend scrubbing.

How to keep carpets smelling fresh?

Below, we’ve put together seven simple, practical ways to keep your carpet smelling fresh, plus expert tips based on our real-world experience at Famous Cleaning.

1. Use Baking Soda — Still the Best Way to Deodorise Carpet Naturally

If you’re wondering how to deodorise carpet without harsh chemicals, baking soda is still the MVP.
We use professional-grade products on the job, but at home? Baking soda is your best friend.

How to use it:

• Sprinkle a light, even layer across the carpet
• Leave it for at least 6 hours (overnight is ideal)
• Vacuum it slowly — two passes, not one

Why it works: baking soda absorbs odors rather than masking them.
Why it fails: people sprinkle too much or vacuum too quickly.

And yes, don’t expect it to remove deep stains or old pet urine. It’s a deodorizer — not magic.

2. Try White Vinegar (But Don’t Pour It Directly on the Carpet)

A lot of people ask us, “Can I use vinegar for carpet odor removal?”
Yes — but not in the way TikTok suggests.

Never dump vinegar directly onto carpet. It can soak into the underlay and leave its own smell behind.

A safer method we recommend:

• Fill a small bowl with white vinegar
• Leave it in the room overnight
• Let it neutralise odors in the air and upper carpet fibres

You’re not deodorising the carpet directly, but you’re removing the source of that lingering room smell.

Bonus: Vinegar bowls are incredible after cooking seafood or frying garlic.

3. Use Borax for Stubborn Odors

Borax isn’t as trendy as baking soda, but it works extremely well for carpets that smell musty or have older odor buildup.

We use borax-based products in some commercial environments because they:

• Absorb foul smells
• Have mild antimicrobial properties
• Don’t leave residue when vacuumed properly

How to use borax:

• Sprinkle a very light amount
• Let it sit for 2–3 hours (not overnight)
• Vacuum thoroughly

If you have pets, check your product label — borax must be used carefully.

4. Activated Charcoal Helps with Deep, Room-Wide Odors

This trick feels like witchcraft, but it works.

If your home has a smoky, stale, or damp smell, activated charcoal can help absorb the odor from the air and carpets.

How to do it:

• Grab a few bowls
• Add activated charcoal
• Place them around the room
• Leave them overnight

We use industrial charcoal filters in commercial buildings, and the principle is exactly the same at home.

5. Clean Your Carpets Regularly (The Unpopular but Highly Effective Answer)

Let’s be honest — carpets are basically giant air filters. They trap:

• Dust
• Oils
• Pet dander
• Moisture
• Food particles
• Pollen

Those trapped particles eventually start to smell.
And once odor sinks into the carpet underlay, home remedies won’t undo it.

What we recommend in Adelaide homes:

• Vacuum 2–3 times per week
• Deep clean carpets every 6–12 months
• More often if you have pets

If you’re wondering how to make carpet smell good while vacuuming, here’s a tip:
Sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda directly into your vacuum bag or canister.
It lightly deodorises as you clean — no fancy products required.

6. Use a Carpet Deodorizer (But Pick the Right Type)

Most store-bought carpet deodorizers fall into two categories:

1. Fresheners – smell great but don’t remove odor sources
2. Neutralisers – break down odor-causing molecules

If you’re trying to figure out how to make carpet smell nice, choose a neutraliser.
Look for terms like:

• “enzymatic”
• “odor neutralising”
• “organic compound breakdown”

We use enzyme-based formulas in our professional cleaning because they work on:

• Pet urine
• Sweat
• Food spills
• Organic residue

If you want your carpets to stay fresher for longer, enzyme cleaners are your friend.

7. Clean Spills and Accidents Immediately

Odors start where moisture sits the longest.
This is especially true for:

• Pet accidents
• Drink spills
• Anything sugary
• Milk (the worst offender — trust us)

Even if the carpet looks clean after blotting, the smell can show up weeks later.

What we recommend:

• Blot with paper towels — don’t rub
• Apply an enzyme spray
• Blot again
• Leave a towel on the spot while it dries

This helps stop the smell before it becomes permanent.

How to Freshen Up Carpet (Quick Summary You Can Actually Use)

If you want a simple plan, here’s what we tell our customers:

• Light odors: baking soda
• Musty room smell: vinegar or charcoal
• Pet odors: enzyme cleaner
• Old odors: borax (+ professional deep clean)
• Smells during vacuuming: baking soda in canister
• Long-term freshness: deep clean every 6–12 months

Do these consistently and your carpet will smell good — not just for a day, but for the long haul.

Quick Answers to Common Carpet Freshness Questions

How do I deodorise carpet naturally?

Use baking soda first. For pet odors, follow up with an enzyme spray.

What’s the best way to deodorise carpet long-term?

Deep cleaning every 6–12 months plus weekly vacuuming. Home remedies only go so far.

How can I make my carpet smell good while vacuuming?

Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your vacuum canister or bag.

How do I make carpet smell nice without chemicals?

Try baking soda, charcoal bowls, or vinegar bowls — all natural and safe.

How do I freshen up carpet quickly before guests arrive?

Sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for 30 minutes, vacuum slowly, and open a window.

Final Takeaway — When DIY Stops Working, Bring in the Pros

You can absolutely keep your carpet smelling fresh using home methods.
But once odors seep into the underlay, DIY stops cutting it.

That’s where our professional carpet cleaning makes a difference.

At Famous Cleaning, we use:

• Industrial hot-water extraction
• Enzyme treatments
• Eco-friendly deodorising solutions
• Deep fibre flushing systems

And because we’re Adelaide locals, we know the kind of dust, heat, and moisture this climate brings — and what that does to your carpet.

If your carpet needs a real reset, we can get it looking (and smelling) new again.