Something Smells Funky! How To Get Beer Smell Out Of Carpet

Getting home to a chilled beer is just one of the things you look forward to when you get home. Accidents happen, and now you have a beer spill and smell to deal with.

The sugar in beer leaves your carpet feeling sticky and crunchy while leaving a dark stain. But cleaning a beer stain and smell is actually easy. Using vinegar and baking soda, nothing is impossible!

Don’t cry over spilled beer. Clean it up immediately. 

How To Clean A Carpet Beer Spill?

Before dealing with the smell, you must tackle the spill and stain.

#1 Blot the Spill

You should use some paper towels or a clean cloth to start absorbing as much of the liquid as you can. Press on the stain and blot it. Don’t rub, as you might spread the stain and make it set deeper in the carpet. I also advise not to use a colored cloth as the color dye may wash into the carpet.

Apply pressure as you blot the stain. Move quickly to remove most of the beer before it sets!

#2 Make A Vinegar Solution

Make a solution of 1/3 cup of white vinegar and 2/3 cup of distilled water.

White vinegar is my natural cleaning secret, as it is antibacterial and acts as a disinfectant. It will help with removing the stain and smell of the beer without damaging your carpet.

I also say distilled water, as some tap waters may contain particles that can interact with the vinegar and cause even more problems for you and the carpet. Distilled water is healthy and cleaner than tap water.

Put your vinegar solution in a spray bottle and spray directly on the stain. Don’t over-soak it. Let it soak on the carpet for 2 minutes.

Blot again with a clean paper towel.

Repeat this part until your solution is finished. This helps you to get the deep carpet fibers.

#3 Detergent Solution

You should also use detergent mixed with water for an extra layer of protection. Put a few drops of detergent in one cup of water and dribble a small amount on the stained area. Blot with a clean paper towel and repeat until the detergent solution is finished.

#4 Rinse And Dry

You have to rinse the remaining vinegar and detergent solution with a small amount of clean, distilled water. Dab it dry or until the liquid is removed from the carpet. You have to dry your carpet to avoid any damage, so I advise using a fan to help it dry faster.

DO NOT use a hairdryer as the carpet fibers might become weird! And not the good kind!

Things To Avoid When Cleaning A Beer Spill

There are some key things to avoid doing when you clean beer stains. I know frustration will get the better of you, but it’s important not to do the following things:

• No bleach! Bleach works for cleaning tiles and cleaning your dirty white clothes sparkling white again, but it does not agree with your carpets. Bleach has strong ingredients that can strip the carpet fibers, both of its color and sometimes the actual fibers, making your carpet look worn out before it’s time.
• Don’t use a rough brush, sponge, or cleaning manner. The most important thing in stain cleaning is blotting (in most cases). It’s better to blot the liquid rather than rubbing it because you risk the stain going deeper. Abrasive products such as rough sponges can weaken the fibers of your carpet, again making them look thin.

If you follow the steps we discussed above, you are sure to get the stain out without harming the carpet!

What To Do With The Smell

The vinegar and detergent solutions probably got rid of the odor, but if you can still smell it lingering around, you can try my favorite trick for dealing with odors, such as beer.

It’s baking soda!

Don’t confuse it with baking powder—baking soda is completely different.

Baking soda, unlike our normal air freshers or odor-busters, doesn’t mask odors; rather, it absorbs them. It neutralizes acidic odors, like beer smell. It also helps for other weird and funky smells from your carpet or your home in general.

For the best results, spread a thin layer of baking soda on the area you spilled beer and leave for 24 hours. Baking soda does best when it is spread out and left to soak in. Use your steam cleaner to suck up the baking soda and other dirt particles that might be hiding there.

Always finish up with steam cleaning! This will ensure that no beer is left in the carpet padding and gives you a better chance at eliminating that smell once and for all.

Why Does Beer Smell So Bad When It’s Spilled?

The aroma of a beer makes your mouth water and your toes tinkle, but when it spills, the smell is something totally different.

Why is that, you may ask?

Well, the yeast strains, grains, hops, and other additives such as flavors, fruit, and spices give beer its aroma, but these are the same things that leave a sweet-sour smell when it gets on your carpet.

The beer could soak into your carpet padding and cause mildew. This will make it even smellier, so make sure to clean the spill quickly! The longer you leave the spill without cleaning, the smell will become stronger, and the stain will be harder to clean.

Your carpet must look AND smell clean–at all times!

Frequently Asked Questions

What cuts the smell of beer?

Vinegar is the best option to solve a beer smell as it also has a strong smell, but if you are sensitive to such smells, you can also use baking soda.

Baking soda gets right into your carpet and gets that beer smell right out.

Does beer leave a stain?

Yes, the beer leaves a water-based stain, but this means it can be easily removed if you clean it up immediately!

It also means that your steam cleaner can play a huge role in the cleaning process after using a vinegar solution.