Why does my carpet smell?

Do you remember when you were a child, when you visited friends’ houses, they had a distinct smell? Your home has a smell that you may only notice after returning from a trip. Your nose is not accustomed to the usual scents.

Every home has its own smell from things like laundry detergent, soap, cleaning products, food, shampoo, and body wash. These scents all mix together to create a unique aroma.

However, sometimes, these scents are not a source of comfort and familiarity. If you have washed the bins, are fastidious about taking out the rubbish, emptied and cleaned the fridge, and the smell remains, the carpets maybe to blame. Professional residential carpet cleaning isn’t just about restoring carpets to their former glory, it’s about keeping them hygienic and smelling fresh too.

Your house is a home, and the carpets are well-used

Carpets take a hammering; life happens and there are kids, pets, spills and stains. Like a pet’s mess, food and drink contain organic matter, which causes fume-inducing bacteria to multiply. If spills and stains are cleaned up incorrectly, eventually there will be unpleasant odours; rubbing a spill pushes it deeper into the fibers, and leaving it lets it soak into the carpet and underlay or fabric of the upholstery.

Solution: it’s important to take prompt, appropriate action when spills and stains occur. Vacuuming often removes dirt on the surface, but particles deep in the carpet are still there. You might notice them by smell before seeing them. Regularly schedule professional upholstery or carpet cleaning to permanently shift the accumulated dirt and debris, but also to maintain the carpet’s structure and integrity.

a pair of red rain boots are sitting on a carpet .

Moisture on the carpets

Moisture is the enemy of carpets. It creates the ideal environment for mould and mildew to grow. Leaking pipes are most often to blame, but high humidity or inadequate ventilation are the slow burners, causing less noticeable damage to carpets over time.

A mouldy musty smell is a late warning sign something nasty is growing under the carpet. If left unchecked, the moulds and mildew not only cause an odour but carry significant risks to your health.

Solution: identify and remedy the source of the moisture, to avoid future issues. It could be something as simple as water regularly being brought in by wet boots, or a leak from the roof. Any leak, flood, spill, or even high humidity from poor ventilation is a potential cause.

Moisture or flood-damaged carpets require swift action. Professional carpet cleaning (Christchurch Carpet Cleaning specialises in water and flood restoration) uses powerful equipment to dry the carpets.

Unpleasant lingering odours are often attributable to the carpets and upholstery needing some professional cleaners’ TLC. Not only is a smelly carpet off-putting to visitors, but it can also indicate underlying issues that cause permanent damage to the carpets. Carpet cleaners are experts with special tools and safe cleaning products to remove strong odours from carpets effectively.

Canterbury residents can rely on Christchurch Carpet Cleaning to rejuvenate carpets and eliminate unpleasant odours for good. Our professional cleaning services also include upholstery cleaning and rug cleaning for a tailored cleaning solution.

Don't let a smelly carpet dampen the ambience of your home. Contact the best carpet cleaning services in Christchurch today to enjoy a fresher, cleaner living environment. Call Dave on 021 638 637 to make an appointment.

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Floor-play: hot water extraction, the ultimate way to clean commercial carpet

30 March 2025

Commercial carpets are the unsung heroes of a huge range of spaces: essential for creating a positive impression and ensuring a healthy working environment. From offices and shops, hospitality suites to schools and healthcare centres, the diversity of placement means there are a wide range of ways in which carpets become stained and grubby, attracting dirt and debris (and often of unknown origin). While regular vacuuming helps with day-to-day maintenance, professional commercial carpet cleaning in Christchurch is necessary for deep cleaning. Among various cleaning methods, hot water extraction or steam cleaning stands out as the gold standard for commercial spaces: Deep and thorough cleaning : penetrates deep into carpet fibres, effectively removing embedded dirt, allergens, and bacteria. Superior stain removal : the high temperature and pressure break downs and lifts stubborn stains , leaving carpets looking refreshed and revitalized. Extends carpet lifespan : removes abrasive debris that wears down fibres, preserving carpet quality and extending its lifespan. Convenient and affordable carpet cleaning : modern hot water extraction systems efficiently extract moisture, reducing drying times and minimising disruption to business operations. Contact Christchurch Carpet Cleaning to arrange a free no-obligation quote to learn how affordable our tailored services are – you will be pleasantly surprised. Eco-friendly and safe : relies on hot water, making it a safer, eco-friendly option for commercial spaces. The hot water extraction process: industry's premier choice This specialised technique employs powerful equipment to inject heated water and cleaning solution deep into carpet fibres. The solution dissolves dirt and contaminants before being extracted - along with the dissolved debris, allergens, and bacteria. Unlike other methods, steam cleaning leaves no dirt-attracting residue behind, ensuring carpets stay cleaner longer