Can You Use Baking Soda as a Carpet Deodouriser?
Using baking soda as a carpet deodouriser has long been used as an easy, cheap and natural way of keeping your carpets smelling fresh and healthy. But is this just an old wive’s tale, is there any evidence that it is effective, are we unknowingly doing damage to the carpet, and can baking soda ruin a vacuum – short answer…yes.
Contents
- Can You Use Baking Soda as a Carpet Deodouriser?
- How Baking Soda Works as a Deodouriser for Carpets
- Can Baking Soda Ruin Carpet
- Can Baking Soda Ruin Your Vacuum?
- How to Get Baking Soda Out of Your Vacuum
- How to Prevent Baking Soda Damaging Your Vacuum
- Are there Alternatives to Using Baking Soda to Clean Carpets
- Conclusion
How Baking Soda Works as a Deodouriser for Carpets
Baking soda is freely available, natural, cheap and odour-free. It is these qualities that make it appealing to use as a deodouriser. But how does it work?
The chemical name of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Without getting too technical, this is a salt and a base (a base has the opposite pH of an acid). By acting as a base it attracts and neutralises the acidic molecules released from decaying organic material, thereby altering the chemical nature of these odours. This is the principle behind using baking soda and anecdotally this seems to hold true. The beauty of this is that it doesn’t simply mask the bad odour like fragrances and scents do, but chemically neutralises the bad smell.
Can Baking Soda Ruin Carpet
Traditionally when baking soda is used to deodorise carpets, it is liberally sprinkled over a particularly smelly area of carpet, left for a while, before being vacuumed up again.
We know it doesn’t mask odours but relies on a chemical reaction to neutralise odours. But how can this help if it is vacuumed up again? The reason baking soda has a residual effect after being vacuumed, is that it is impossible to vacuum up all of the baking soda that was applied – even powerful vacuums like Henry will not be able to remove all the baking soda particles.
Baking soda is a very small particle but when examined microscopically, it is a very angular and coarse particle. This makes it stick deep in the carpet fibre like velcro. This is good for ongoing neutralisation of odours, but not so good for the health of the carpet.
Over time the sandpaper-like texture of the baking soda particles wear away at the carpet fibres, causing premature damage and reducing the quality and feel of the carpet. This sawing effect is exacerbated by constant traffic on the carpet as well. And of course made worse by repeated use of baking soda.
Can Baking Soda Ruin Your Vacuum?
The short answer is yes – baking soda is effective at killing odours, but it is also effective at killing vacuum cleaners as well.
Baking soda will damage vacuum cleaners by 2 mechanisms – clogging of the filters and damage to the motor.
Effect of Baking Soda on the Filters
Baking soda is a small particle with a particle size of 70-90 microns which is smaller than a grain of sand. Not much of a problem by itself but in the presence of moisture these particles tend to clump together and can also act as a cement to attract other larger particles that have been vacuumed up.
This clumping behaviour causes baking soda to get stuck in the vacuum, specifically the filter. Over time this occludes the filter causing reduced suction and efficiency, and a dramatic reduction in performance. If your vacuum cleaner is not working well after using baking soda, this is probably the first reason why.
On some forums it has been suggested to remove the filters when using baking soda to prevent this issue. This is definitely bad advice as those particles will get straight into the motor and as we shall soon see, results in permanent damage, and will be certain to void any warranty with your vacuum cleaner.
How Baking Soda Can Break Your Vacuum’s Motor
Filters are designed to prevent suctioned particles from getting into the inner workings of the motor. If poor quality filters are used, or they are damaged by the coarse action of baking soda, then the fine particles can make their way into the motor
Just like in the carpet, these coarse particles will physically wear away at the motor like sandpaper to cause permanent damage. In addition to this, being a salt, baking soda will also cause chemical reactions and oxidation in the metals of the motor, further leading to permanent damage. Some metals are especially susceptible to this including copper, steel and aluminium.
When using a motorised brush to vacuum baking soda, the particles can also get trapped in the belts, causing slippage and increased friction, which also lead to damage to the floor head.
HEPA filters which come standard with Henry hoovers can trap particles as small as 0.3microns. Given baking soda has a particle size of 70-90 microns, they are unlikely to penetrate through these filters and get to the motor. So it’s good to know that Henry’s motor will be protected , however HEPA filters can still become clogged with baking soda, which will reduce efficiency and increase the work of the motor over time.
How to Get Baking Soda Out of Your Vacuum
If you’ve got to this point in the article after using baking soda, and realised that it is not a good idea, you’re probably also wondering if there is anything you can do to get it out of your vacuum.
There definitely is, and clearing the vacuum of baking soda is not a challenging process and is no different from regular cleaning procedures you would undertake for regular maintenance.
The first step is to remove the bag and filter. If your vacuum is bagless, then simply empty the contents of the canister into the rubbish. Once the bag and filter have been removed, clean the inside of the canister with soapy water and rinse to remove any residue of baking soda. Then dry with a cloth and once it is completely dry, replace the bag and install a new filter. Some filters can be rinsed under water to clean (not Henry’s), however when dealing with baking soda I would recommend to simply start from scratch (no pun intended) and use a new filter.
The next step is to clean the hose which may have baking soda caked onto the inside. Disconnect the hose from the vacuum and either use a hose with a jet setting to powerfully rinse the inside of the hose, or alternatively soak it in soapy water in the bath or laundry sink, followed by a rinse. Make sure the hose is completely dry before attaching it back up to the vacuum
The final step is to clean the floor head, especially if your vacuum has a brush-roller where the clogged particles can damage the roller head and act as a nidus which seeds baking soda back into the vacuum. Follow the user instructions to remove the roller from the vacuum. Remove any fur and hair tangled in the brushes and use a wet cloth to remove any baking soda residue. Again, wait for it to be completely dry before re-connecting it back onto the vacuum.
And there you have it – vacuum cleaner first aid to ensure your vacuum is performing at peak performance for many more years.
How to Prevent Baking Soda Damaging Your Vacuum
Up to this point we have generally been negative about the use of baking soda to clean carpets – not because it doesn’t work, but because of the potential damage it can do to your carpet and vacuum cleaner.
However baking soda can be used effectively as a carpet deodouriser, and if precautions are taken we can minimise damage to carpet and prevent damage to the vacuum.
Make sure you are using baking soda in the right way and for the right reason. It should be used as an emergency cleaner and deodouriser only. So only use it on carpet stains and spills which can damage the carpet and cause an odour – things like wine, food, and animal urine.
The number one and non-arguable when using baking soda is to only use it if you have a vacuum with a high quality HEPA filter. These filters come standard with all Henry hoovers, but aren’t standard in a lot of makes and models, and cheap replacements can be found online. A Hepa filter can trap particle sizes down to 0.3 microns which is more than enough to trap baking soda particles and prevent them making their way into the motor
The other benefit of using baking soda if you have a Henry hoover, is it is such a powerful vacuum that it’s going to suck up a lot more baking soda from the carpet than other vacuums, thereby minimising damage to the carpet. The standard Henry combi floorhead works by power, not by an agitating brush, so also prevents damage that can occur to the brush-head due to the friction created by baking soda particles.
The second step when using baking soda is to change the bag and filter regularly. If not every time you use baking soda. By preventing clumping on the bag and filter, you will improve airflow, performance, overheating from the motor, and particles slowly sawing their way through the filter into the motor.
Another important aspect of using baking soda is to apply it thinly and evenly. Over application of baking soda is unnecessary and more likely to result in excessive amounts of baking soda ending up in the vacuum where the damage occurs. Rest assured that even with a thin layer of baking soda, an effective amount will become trapped in the carpet where it will continue to have its residual effect. Distribution of a thin layer can be made easier by using a sieve or even a salt shaker to sprinkle over the carpet.
Once the baking soda is cautiously and evenly applied to the carpet, let it settle for it to be most effective. 30 minutes is generally acceptable for mildly affected areas, whereas if you have a particularly bad area, letting it settle overnight and vacuum in the morning works well.
By letting the baking soda settle, you will get maximal effect from the neutralisation of odours and will reduce the amount of baking soda that eventually makes it into the vacuum. The flip side to this is the longer it is left, the more will remain in the carpet, potentially reducing the lifespan of the carpet. If a longer settling period is used, I would definitely not re-apply baking soda in this area for a long time, if at all.
Are there Alternatives to Using Baking Soda to Clean Carpets
If you have a stale or smelly carpet to the point where you are looking for deodourisers then be aware that these aren’t getting to the root of the problem. Any sort of deodourising action from baking soda can be nice, but it isn’t solving the problem or removing the source of the odour.
What you really need is to give your carpets a deep clean with either a commercial cleaner and enzymatic bactericidal shampoo. The alternative is to invest in an at-home carpet cleaner such as Henry Wash and George, which are more convenient and easier to use than a commercial cleaner, with just as impressive results
The Numatic Wash and Revive carpet shampoo gets to the source of the odour to remove the problem. The detergent is non-foaming, bactericidal, contains optical brighteners, leaves no tacky residues in the fabric and is enhanced with both a delicate and discreet verbena scent.
Numatic has two vacuums in their range which are ideal for carpet cleaning. Henry Wash is a dedicated wet vacuum/carpet cleaner. George has wet functionality and can clean carpets just like Henry Wash, but it can also be converted into a dry vacuum for everyday vacuuming.
However, if you’re not ready to invest in a carpet cleaner and your’re looking for a natural alternative to clean carpet stains without baking soda, then I have three alternative for you:
Vinegar as a Carpet Deodouriser
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodouriser which can help with stubborn stains and smells. It is a strong acid which can penetrate into the carpet to dissolve dirt, grime, urine and pet odours. In addition to being natural and non toxic – so being safe to use around pets and children – it also has antimicrobial activity.
There are various methods to make a vinegar solution but the one I find the easiest to remember and the most effective is to simply use 1 part vinegar to one part water. Use in a spray bottle to spray onto the affected area of carpet.
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, blot it off, rinse by repeating the process with a water only solution, allow the carpet to dry before vacuuming over this area thoroughly
Vodka as a Carpet Deodouriser
Vodka, being an alcohol solution can easily break down grease and grime, removing odours and killing bacteria. Any alcohol will do this but Vodka is no odour compared to other spirits so is perfect for this. It is also more gentle on carpet and other fabrics compared to rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
Vodka can be made in a similar way to Vinegar, except I like to dilute it a little more and still find it effective. Add 1 part vodka to 2 parts water. Use in a spray bottle and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and blotting off with a water-only solution.
If you have an emergency spill, start by blotting the spil with a fresh absorbent cloth to remove the majority of the mess, being careful not to rub the spill into the carpet. Instead of using a vodka spray mister, you can apply the vodka to a soaked cloth and blot onto the affected area. Leave for 10-15 minutes and rinse and repeat if needed
Club Soda as a Carpet Deodouriser
Club soda is also a (semi) natural remedy for deodouring carpets and removing stains. I say semi because it contains the chemicals/minerals sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate and potassium bicarbonate. But if it’s good enough to drink, then it is good enough to put on our carpets!
The beauty of soda water is the carbonation can really help penetrate deep into the carpet fibres, and given it actually contains baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a liquid form, we get those benefits without the risk of damage to the vacuum.
Soda water works best undiluted – with spray onto the carpet or apply with a clot to blot the affected area. Leave to work for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off and leaving to dry before vacuuming
Conclusion
Baking soda is an effective and natural deodourisor of carpet which is commonly sourced and cheap to purchase, hence the appeal of using it, especially if we want to reduce our exposure to harsh chemicals.
However it isn’t without its downsides, and if used inappropriately can result in damage to carpet, and cause a reduction in performance or even wreck your vacuum cleaner: The fine particles can clog the filter and sometimes make their way into the motor causing permanent damage.
On the other hand, if it is used appropriately for targeted areas and not applying too much, combined with regular maintenance and cleaning of the vacuum and replacing the filters, it can be a great option for keeping the carpets fresh for many years to come.
