How To Get Rid Of A Scotchgard Smell

Scotchgard is a fluorocarbon chemical that — when applied to upholstery and carpet — repels water, oil and stains. Even though Scotchgard helps prolong the life of the item, it can fill the air with an unpleasant chemical odor. This odor can last for days after you have had the carpet or upholstery Scotchgarded. Fortunately, removing the odor from the carpet, air and upholstery requires only a few inexpensive products that are easy to obtain.

Step 1

Rinse an empty spray bottle clean with cool water, and fill it with undiluted white vinegar. Apply a light coating of the vinegar to the smelly fabric. Let the fabric air-dry. Reapply the vinegar until the odor is no longer present.

Step 2

Apply baking soda over the fabric. Work the baking soda into upholstery and carpets by scrubbing the baking soda gently with a scrub brush. Wait 1 hour before removing the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner.

Step 3

Mix equal parts lukewarm water and white vinegar together. Use a sponge mop dampened in the mixture to remove Scotchgard odors from hard floors such as wood, linoleum and tile.

Step 4

Fill bowls with activated charcoal. Sit the bowls on a level surface in the room with the Scotchgard smell. Leave the bowls overnight. Activated charcoal will absorb the chemical odors in the air. Replace the charcoal as needed.

Step 5

Mix 2 cups of cold water with 10 to 15 drops of essential oil of your choice. Add the concoction to a clean spray bottle, and mist the air. The homemade air-freshening spray will mask unpleasant odors in the air.