My rug smells like feet 😬

[travelingtortoise]

I have a small round carpet-style rug in my bedroom, which has stone floors otherwise.

Decided yesterday it probably needed a clean, and so I got busy with a stiff brush and some hot water and Fairy Liquid, and then put it out in the sun to dry (it's about 20 degrees where I am at the moment).

It was 95% dry when I brought it in, and then I went out for a walk.

When I returned, the whole house stank... of feet😱Horrible, old-shoes stink.

How do I get the rug dry and smelling nice again?! What monster have I created?!

It's been out all day again in the sunshine today but I just don't trust it... 😂

I'd try sprinkling it with bicarbonate of soda when it's completely dry
Leave it for a couple of hours then vacuum it off
Failing that bin it

It needs to dry! Is it wool?

No, it's synthetic – have drenched it in bicarb as per @10Past10's advice and it's back out in the sun....

I'm eyeing the lavender bush now too 😂

I just can't believe how strong the stench was. I thought something had died!