Musty Smell in a SHAG rug...

**bensurdi** · 04-21-2010, 07:41 PM

We soaked this rug, cleaned the heck out of it, rinsed it very well, used the claw to get the water out and then hang dried it... the thing just smells musty.

Any suggestions?

**the rugman** · 04-21-2010, 09:23 PM

Is there a tag on the back "made in India?" does it have a backing on it? If so it will smell forever! Not your fault - BUT - you did clean it. Post some pics.

**bensurdi** · 04-21-2010, 09:35 PM

It's just a THICK brown shag rug. It does have a cotton backing like your typical pottery barn type of rug would. So you think the smell is not something that can be improved upon? It was SOAKED with urine... doesn't smell like urine anymore, but it does smell very musty.

**Frank DiGi** · 04-21-2010, 09:40 PM

Try Microban on it...

**the rugman** · 04-22-2010, 12:00 PM

If it is one of those cheapo mad in in India rugs - they tend to have crappy latex that breaks down and smells - getting them wet makes it worse. after you run into a few you know them in an instant! Make sure it is completely dry - check the areas that had urine - could still be wet. If it does have latex chances are the urine is still soaked into the latex. Post a pic if you can - that will help. If it has a cotton backing it probably has latex.

**Scott W** · 04-22-2010, 12:19 PM

Spray heavily with Hydrocide diluted 4 to 6 ounces per gallon.

MAke sure you get completely dry with good ventilation.

**Rug Washer** · 04-23-2010, 01:57 AM

Have the owner call Pottery Barn and mention the odor, not the Pee.

**the rugman** · 04-23-2010, 09:06 AM

Had one of these a few years ago bought from a local store. lady complaining about a smell - went to the house and you almost couldn't be in the room with the rug. Store took it back (can't see pottery barn doing that). The store could not understand what happened. Turns out the rug had been hanging in the store for almost 2 years - the dreaded latex strikes again! Never ben cleaned - peed on or really even walked on. Don't mean to keep throwing this out there but it is a big problem! If this is whats going on you will not ne able to fix it! When I get these in the shop I lightly clean them with Encap - explain issues to customer first.

**LisaWagner** · 04-23-2010, 07:15 PM

Get your moisture sensor out - and make sure IT IS DRY. A lot of times a rookie mistake is not realizing that wool can FEEL dry but the foundation is in fact not.

If the odor smells like RUBBER and the rug is from INDIA - it may have existed before you washed it, covered up by urine, and now is worse from the wash. This is a rug to run from when you notice that rubber/dirty sock smell beforehand.

We need photos, and whether the odor is equally everywhere - or in just spots.

If it is NOT the latex issue - then using the Odorox machine will knock out any urine or other related odors. It's a great machine - but will not remove chemical offgasing of improperly cured latex.

Lisa

**Rug Washer** · 04-24-2010, 10:58 PM

I had a client who had a stinky Pottery Barn Rug and I told her I would call Pottery Barn and voice my concern. When I called, the rep I talked to said they were aware of the offgasing issue and told me to have the customer call, which they did, they received a credit for the rug. Cheerleader for Life!