[dUnKle]

Have a small dining room on our house that adjoins both kitchen and living room. Its not huge but its better than nothing - only problem is it whiffs a bit (well can be a lot when hot)

Now I think its probably down to the cats who pay have had an accident in there when younger. Now the place has had new carpet and we cant afford to replace that. We keep windows open as best we can but with it being downstairs its not ideal.

So anyone any suggestions for getting rid of the smell and whilst at it keeping place smelling nice and fresh - I am after real solutions and not those plug in things - tried loads and they just dont cut it

Tried spraying simple solution on carpet and tred oust but no good

Anyone any suggestions

[dan1979]

By plug in things are you talking about air fresheners? They just pump the air full of chemicals which will temporarily mask the small.

Have you tried an air purifier? they're meant to sort such problems.

[eric pisch]

You can rent carpet cleaners from most diy stores, there hard work if used properly but very good.

This kind of thing, you should only need it for a day, and alot cheaper than new carpets.

http://www.hss.com/index.php?p=58342

If after using this you still get a smell then the problem is else where, some of the more common problems: dead mouse traped somewhere, hidden dry/wet rot, leaking soil/waste pipe under the floor, your neighbours are storing rubbish in the front room.

[dUnKle]

Cheers

Got one of the JML fresh air globes and does some good, but obviously need to get rid of smell first

[davepuma]

A good clean. Either rent a machine to clean the carpets yourself or get a company in. I got mine cleaned and couldn't believe the results.

[oakie]

imo - with air freshners and what not your only masking the smell - if the carpet & underlay is the root of the problem you really need to clean it or replace. if its only a small room you could get end of roll carpet cheap or maybe lino or laminate? failing that a bit of good old fashiond elbow grease on your hands and knees with a scrubbing brush.

[dUnKle]

Well as a family (mine and other halfs) we invested in a carpet cleaner shortly after getting the house - I will have to find out who currently has ownership of it

Are there any magic formulas to use ? You often here of bicarb or white vinegar being mentioned when talking about cleaning

Also once carpets have been cleaned has anyone got a tried and tested, prooven to work and last, way of keeping it smelling fresh (besides leaving windows open)

[Londondecca]

If the smell is biological a pet stain remover will help. Sprinkling bicarbonate soda (leave it on for a few hours and then remove) can be useful but the key to any smell removal is to identify the source.

Domestic cleaners are good but are designed for light to moderate problems, a professional cleaner is more effective

[Baron Von Doom]

The company i work for rents carpet cleaners. if you already have one you can just buy the cleaning fluid. use warm water not hot. If you rent one dont pay the catalogue price, most hire companies will give a discount. You should be able to get around 30 to 40% off of hire. They wont drop much on consumables.
The problem could be if whats creating the smell has soaked through to the underlay. I think in this case you would have to replace it.