COMMON SOURCES OF AND REMEDIES FOR RUG ODORS
Among common causes of unacceptable odors in rugs are spilled juices, foods and other organic stuff, pet urine and solid accidents and excess humidity. In cases of food and organic spills the initial odor is expectedly the familiar smell as the material dries. It's not hard to figure any food or organically degradable matter will cause odors, sometimes pungent undesirable, as it spoils. The later odors are due to gases released by bacteria as they digest the organic material as their food source. Once dried out, lack of water results in bacteria colony to die off, be less active or become dormant, resulting in less odors. Most of the problem is still present with the spilled material dried out but remaining in the rug fibers. Now, here is why some lightly smelly rugs smell a lot worse after proper cleaning. Sometimes deep dusting and properly washing rugs doesn't remove old, inactive and dormant bacteria that are anchored to rug fibers. Adding water during rug washing process provides the opportunity for an explosion in growth of these bacteria, lots of gases being released and therefore lots of odors, more than prior to cleaning.
These bacteria normally present no health hazard to most of us. They are in our everyday environments and with typical body immunity we are well protected. So the bother of undesirable smells should be our main concern. To resolve theses persistent rug odor issues we don't recommend use of any harsh chemicals or treatments. We also discourage spray, powder or liquid applications that temporarily 'cover up' the problem. If, after proper washing, odors remain we recommend our Enzymatic Odor Removal Treatment.
This is a safe and natural way to eliminate bacteria and their odors. The treatment works because the enzyme acts to specifically attack, loosen up the anchored bacteria and digest them. Once the enzymes have broken down the bacteria an additional washing is done to remove all foreign material from the rug fibers and foundations.
Odors due to moisture happen when rugs are exposed to slow, unnoticeable water leaks. The usual causes are plumbing, potted plants or regular spills in the same area. Odors due to humidity and excess moisture are usually resolved by rug washing and enzymatic treatment after cleaning, if necessary. However, continued long term exposure to humidity can cause breakdown of rug fibers. Rugs with cotton foundations are especially susceptible. After proper rug cleaning and treatment repair of any damage caused may be necessary to restore the carpet's condition.