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There are a few reasons your area rug smells after cleaning. First, you might have agitated dirt, dust, and pet dander deep in the rug during cleaning, which might smell for a day or two if you didn’t remove it all. Second, if your rug smells like chemicals, it’s possible you didn’t rinse out all of the rug cleaning solution you used. Finally, if you didn’t hang up your rug to dry completely, it could be holding moisture and allowing mold to grow. In any of these cases, it’s a good idea to defer to a professional for help.

Some of the worst and hardest stains to remove from carpets include dark-colored spills like red wine, coffee, blood, and ink. These can permanently discolor the carpet, especially if they aren't treated immediately, and are particularly visible on light-colored carpets. Bleach is also one of the worst culprits, as it causes near-instant color loss that cannot be restored through cleaning. For most tough stains, if DIY methods don't work, a professional carpet cleaner may be able to help. However, for bleach stains, the best option is often to dye or replace the affected area.

Vinegar and baking soda can be effective for removing old carpet stains, although success may depend on the type of stain. There are two common methods for this process.

One method involves combining the ingredients directly on the stain to create a chemical reaction. First, pour a generous layer of dry baking soda over the stain. In a spray bottle, mix distilled white vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap, then spray this solution thoroughly over the baking soda. The mixture will foam as the acidic vinegar reacts with the basic baking soda, which helps loosen and lift the stain. Let this sit for a few hours until it dries, then wipe or vacuum up the residue and blot the area with a clean, dry towel. You can repeat the process if the stain persists.

An alternative method suggests using the ingredients separately. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the stain and letting it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming it up. Next, blot the remaining stain with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, and then blot the area dry with a clean cloth.

Steam cleaning a couch should get rid of most smells, but there are some more potent smells that require a bit more work than steam cleaning. For instance, steam cleaning won’t likely get the smell of pee out of a couch. To remove urine odor from a couch, you’ll most likely need to use an enzymatic cleaner, which targets the smell and stain.