Let’s face it: if you have carpet in your home, chances are you’ve used those carpet powders from the store. Arm & Hammer’s Carpet Odor Eliminator has ingredients like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), hydrated silica, polyoxyethylene tallow methylammonium methosulfate, and fragrances.
As someone who suspects multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), these ingredients are a hard pass for me in my home.
While MCS is not considered an “illness” by the American Medical Academy, it is a collection of noteworthy symptoms triggered by chemicals such as the 3,100 or so stock chemical ingredients used by the fragrance industry (1). MCS is a very real issue for many people (2). Some professionals refer to it as Sick Building Syndrome (3). MCS symptoms include:
- Burning eyes
- Breathing problems
- Cough
- Changes to heart rhythm
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Congestion and other sinus trouble
- Diarrhea, bloating, and/or gas
- Digestive problems
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Itching
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea
- Poor concentration
- Rash
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Sleep issues
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Trouble concentrating
This is a long list of undesirable symptoms. Clearly, caution is warranted with the products we allow in our homes. So, what can we do to improve carpet odor?
Carpet Powder
That’s when an all-natural, toxin-free carpet powder comes into play. This is a straightforward and inexpensive swap that anyone can do.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. of baking soda
- 10-20 drops of essential oil of your choice (I like oregano, lemon, and/or orange)
- A large bottle/jar to pour from (I used a vintage glass spice jar)
Please note: Some online information claims sucking up baking soda in vacuum cleaners can void the vacuum’s warranty. Before using this DIY carpet powder recipe, I recommend checking your warranty/vacuum information.
Directions:
Step 1: Fill the large bottle/jar with baking soda. This will probably take roughly 16 oz. of baking soda.
Step 2: Add 10-20 drops of essential oil and shake well, ensuring all the powder is naturally scented.
Step 3: Pour generously on your carpet and let sit for 20-30 minutes before vacuuming your carpet.
