Carpet cleaning is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy home environment. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter an unpleasant surprise: your carpet smells after professional cleaning. This issue can be frustrating as we always expect the carpets to be returned in fresh and clean condition, right?
In Malaysia, where high humidity can impact carpets, it’s important to understand why this happens and what you can do to resolve it. In this article, we’ll explore the common reasons why carpet smells after professional cleaning and offer practical solutions to get rid of those unwanted odours.
Why Carpet Smells Bad After Professional Cleaning?
The unpleasant smell of the carpet after a professional cleaning session can leave us clueless, right? It’s even more confusing when we’ve entrusted it to professional cleaners instead of doing it ourselves. To clear up this confusion, we’ve listed 5 potential causes of this situation:
1. Residual Moisture
One of the most common reasons for lingering carpet odours is residual moisture. Professional carpet cleaning uses water and cleaning solutions, and if carpets aren’t dried thoroughly, moisture can remain trapped in the fibres. This can lead to bacteria, mould, and mildew growth, causing unpleasant smells.
To avoid this, ensure your carpet cleaning service provider uses high-quality drying equipment. If you’re cleaning carpets yourself, use fans or dehumidifiers to speed up drying.
2. Detergent Residue
Sometimes, professional cleaners leave behind detergent residues, which can attract dirt and cause musty smells over time. Excessive detergent can also leave a film on the carpet, contributing to odour issues. To avoid this, choose carpet cleaning services that use low-residue or eco-friendly solutions.
3. Poor Ventilation
In Malaysia’s humid climate, poor ventilation can exacerbate carpet odour problems. This condition is even worse if carpets are cleaned in a poorly ventilated room. This is because the moisture from the cleaning process can linger longer, allowing odour-causing agents to flourish.
Hence, you need to ensure proper ventilation during and after the cleaning process. By opening windows and using fans, it can help to circulate the air and speed up the drying process.
4. Inadequate Cleaning of Spills and Stains
If spills or stains are not adequately treated before cleaning, they can continue to emit odours even after the professional cleaning process. For instance, organic materials like food and pet waste can be particularly problematic, as they can produce strong smells if not fully removed. That’s why it’s important to choose a stain-resistant carpet if you have pets at home.
Before your professional cleaning appointment, you can try to remove the stains first and spills first as soon as they occur. You can use appropriate stain removers and ensure thorough cleaning of problem areas.
5. Carpet Padding Issues – Unnoticed Cause of Carpet Smells After Professional Cleaning
Sometimes, the odour comes from the carpet padding underneath. If the padding gets damp or contaminated, it can emit unpleasant smells even after the carpet is cleaned. Many people don’t realise the padding is the source of the smell.
Thus, please make sure the padding is properly dried and cleaned during the carpet cleaning process. Carpet padding typically lasts about 5-7 years, depending on usage. You should consider replacing old or damaged padding if you frequently notice odours.
How to Deal with Carpet Smells After Professional Cleaning?
Now that you know why your carpet smells after professional cleaning, let’s look at the steps you can take to manage this issue.
1. Re-clean the Carpet
If your carpet smells after professional cleaning, a re-cleaning might be necessary. Contact your cleaning service to discuss the issue and request a follow-up visit. Sometimes, additional cleaning or spot treatment may be required to address residual odours.
2. Deep Clean and Dry
For persistent smells, you might need to perform a deep clean. Use a carpet cleaner with strong suction power to remove any remaining moisture and residues. Ensure the carpet is thoroughly dried to prevent mould and mildew growth. Using a combination of vacuuming, steam cleaning, and drying can help remove lingering odours. If you’re not confident in your previous professional cleaner, it is advisable to find another one.
3. Use Odour-Absorbing Products
You can use odour-absorbing products such as baking soda, activated charcoal, or commercial carpet deodorisers. These products can help neutralise unwanted smells. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the carpet, let it sit for several hours, and then vacuum it up. For a more effective solution, consider using a commercial odour neutraliser designed for carpets.
4. Improve ventilation
Enhancing airflow in the room can significantly help in reducing carpet odours. Use fans, open windows, or run your air conditioning system to increase air circulation and expedite the drying process. Improved ventilation helps in evaporating excess moisture and preventing the growth of odour-causing mould and mildew.
5. Regular maintenance
Regular maintenance of carpets, such as removing any shedding and cleaning stains, can help preserve them. Preventing carpet smells after professional cleaning also involves regular upkeep. Whether the carpets are in your living room or office, schedule routine professional cleanings to keep them in top condition.
Additionally, vacuum frequently to remove dirt and debris that can contribute to unpleasant smells. Address spills and stains promptly to avoid long-term odour issues.
Avoiding Carpet Smells After Professional Cleaning: Choose a Trusted Carpet Cleaning Service
To avoid carpet smells after professional cleaning, choose a trusted service with positive reviews and a proven track record. Check their Google Business Profile or social media for customer feedback. Also, ensure they use high-quality equipment and cleaning solutions. Before hiring, ask about their cleaning processes, drying methods, and how they handle residual moisture.
At Big Mama, we are a reliable professional carpet cleaning service provider. Our thorough cleaning, using advanced technology, has satisfied our customers with the results. Whether you need carpet cleaning for a special occasion like Hari Raya or just on a regular day, we’ve got you covered.
With home pickup and delivery services, you don’t have to worry about how to send your carpet. We will ensure your carpets are returned fresh and sparkling clean, without any lingering smells.
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