Between professional cleanings, you can refresh your carpets at home and eliminate odors without renting a machine.

The baking soda method:

  1. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly first to remove loose debris.
  2. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the carpet. For extra freshness, mix in a few drops of essential oil first.
  3. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes – up to several hours for stronger odors.
  4. Vacuum thoroughly, making multiple passes to remove all the baking soda.

For high-traffic areas that look matted and dull, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the area, work the fibers with a soft brush, and let it air dry. This lifts matted fibers and removes residue that dulls carpet color – without the drying time of a full shampoo.