Is there an odor in your room that you can't seem to get rid of, no matter how much air freshener you spray? Chances are, that stink is coming from your carpet. Walking across it, dropping the occasional crumb, and other general wear and tear can lead to some pretty yucky odors taking up residence in your carpet. Luckily, you don't have to go on living with them or use a harsh cleaner to eliminate them. Try one of these quick, all-natural fixes instead. 

Baking Soda and Lavender

Baking soda is excellent of neutralizing odors, especially if that odor is related to moisture. Thus, this particular quick fix works well if you have a humid home and your carpet has a musty odor, or if you think a previous pet accident might be contributing the scent. Pour 4 cups of baking soda into a bowl, and stir in ¼ cup of dried lavender (you can find this in the spice section of the grocery store). Sprinkle this mixture over the carpet, and let it sit for at least 8 hours. If you can manage to leave it even longer, do so. Then, vacuum up the baking soda mixture, and enjoy the fresh scent.

Vinegar and Citrus Spray

If moisture is not the issue, you are likely better off trying this vinegar spray instead. The vinegar is acidic, so it neutralizes and breaks down a lot of stinky particles. The addition of orange or lemon essential oil adds a bright and refreshing scent that covers any lingering odors. Just pour about 2 cups of white vinegar into a spray bottle, add 10 – 12 drops of orange or lemon essential oil, and give it a shake. Spray the vinegar lightly over your whole carpet, and let it evaporate on its own.

Lemon Water

If you don't have time to wait for the unpleasant vinegar smell to dissipate (maybe you have friends coming over and want your carpet to smell fresh immediately), then lemon water is a good short-term fix. When you have more time, you'll want to use one of the methods above to deliver more permanent odor relief. Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups water, and add about ¼ cup lemon juice. Spray this lightly over the carpet, being careful not to use too much if you don't want the carpet to have a damp feeling. The lemon will help neutralize the stronger odors while also camouflaging any unwanted scents for at least a few hours, and since the smell of lemon is generally thought to be pleasant, you won't offending any visitors. 

For further assistance, contact local professional carpet cleaners, such as those from Beatty's Carpet Cleaners.