Carpet cleaners don't have to be expensive to work well. In fact, you don't even have to buy them in a store. Make your own spot remover and steam cleaning solutions, and enjoy clean carpets for less. Read on to find out how.
Mix the white vinegar and baking soda to form a paste. Work the paste into the carpet stain with an old toothbrush, or something similar. Allow the paste to dry, and then vacuum up the baking soda. The stain should be gone.
For tough stains like wine or chocolate, use hydrogen peroxide instead. Just apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain; allow it to sit until it stops fizzing and then dab the area with a clean rag to lift the spot. You may need to treat tough stains more than once. For best results, try to treat stains before they have time to set. For persistent or tricky stains, like ink, try other homemade cleaners designed to tackle tougher stains.
To make a cleaning solution for your steam cleaner, fill your steam cleaning machine with equal parts white vinegar and warm water; then simply clean according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Always do a spot test in an inconspicuous area before applying any carpet cleaner to a large area. Some rugs may bleed when you wet them, so it's important to test colorfastness—even if you're using a store-bought product.
As with any cleaner, avoid all contact with your eyes and prolonged contact with your skin. Vinegar and baking soda aren't toxic, but they could still be an eye irritant, and you should never ingest hydrogen peroxide. So, keep children and pets off the carpet that you're treating until it's dry.
Consult the owner's manual that came with your steam cleaner to make sure using a homemade cleaning solution won't void your warranty or rental agreement.
Use these recipes to clean upholstery, too. You can use these homemade solutions to remove stains from furniture and the interior of your car.
If you just need to freshen up your carpet, you can quickly make a homemade carpet deodorizer. It's great for neutralizing pet odors. Or, create a simple air freshener that you can use on your carpets.
You can also make homemade cleaners from baking soda, vinegar, and other natural ingredients. They'll save you time and money and cut down on the number of chemicals that are being introduced into your home. You can customize many of these homemade cleaners with your favorite fragrance or leave them fragrance-free if allergies are a concern.