How can I get the smell of dead rats out of my carpet?

jp_bl_68 · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:22

This morning I found a dead rat behind my sofa. My guess is he's been there for a couple of days, it was the smell that alerted me to his presence.

I've aired the room out and scrubbed the carpet with hot soapy water but the carpet still smells like dead rat. Any advice on how to get rid of the stink without ruining the carpet?

Nix · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:24

You'll probably want to get some carpet shampoo and keep cleaning. Chances are bodily fluid has worked its way into the floorboards, etc. and it'll take a few days to properly shift.

In the meantime: febreeze.

Deadbeat · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:25

Coax a dog to crap on the spot, or import some dog crap from the local park and smear it. That'll cover the smell.

twist3d0n3 · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:25

smoke a pipe for a few days, that'll soon overpower the stench of rotting rat

jp_bl_68 · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:34

Odd coincidence, but I've just this minute ordered a pipe

Iceman · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:34

What the hell was a rat doing behind your sofa?? Yuk!!!

Fenris · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:35

Fire.

It's cleansing.

jp_bl_68 · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:36

Iceman said:
What the hell was a rat doing behind your sofa?? Yuk!!!

I think it crawled out from behind the skirting board, there's a small gap where the boards meet some hot water pipes.

Efour · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:48

lol man where do you live ? London ?

LOAM · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:52

Worst I've killed someone and cant get rid of the smell thread ever.

PhillyDee · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:54

10 replies and no mustard suggestion?

Get a carpet shampooer like a vax. Keep using it.

jp_bl_68 · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:54

I live in beautiful, sunny Croydon.

LOAM said:
Worst I've killed someone and cant get rid of the smell thread ever.

Hookers aren't people, so it's ok

Plus, she was asking for it!

Ma'am · 30 Oct 2010 at 14:55

Sprinkle bicarb on the carpet, leave for an hour and vac.
Kim & Aggie swear by it

kibblerok · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:01

Dead rat smell is the worst - it penetrates the house and lingers for days. I doubt its the carpet if you've cleaned it properly, it's just the residual smell in the air.

We had a rat come in our house to die (had been poisoned elsewhere) and the floorboards had to be lifted to get it out, smell remained for days but it didn't appear to be coming from the rat area.

Vonhelmet · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:04

Fire and salt.

Aliboy · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:08

Simples .....

twist3d0n3 · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:11

a white square will not solve the issue

Efour · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:12

lol u made me cry

dcsarge · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:24

Sprinkle Bicarb of Soda over the problem area when it is dry and leave it for at least a few hours before hoovering. That works for a lot of odours, not sure about ex-rat.

Doh: didn't see same reply further up.

Cosimo · 30 Oct 2010 at 15:33

You dirty sofa you killed my rat.

Wrap rat in carpet, take out of house at night, drive to woods and dump.

Buy new carpet, simples.