Clean Spots with Household Products
1/11
Stains happen. Juice, grease, dirt—they all somehow find their way onto the carpet. And when they do, you may not have an expensive specialty cleaner at the ready. This means you need to rely on your wits and whatever regular household products you happen to have on hand. You’d be surprised at the wonders you can work with products in the right combinations and ratios, along with a white cloth, some gentle dabbing, and a little elbow grease. However, a word of warning: Natural and synthetic fibers do not react the same to all cleaning solutions and mixtures. Before cleaning, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet.
Ammonia
2/11
Ammonia is one of the most useful and versatile household cleaners. However, it’s highly alkaline, so you have to be careful how and when you use it. For instance, it should be used only on natural fiber carpets. Ammonia solutions work on stains caused by gravy, mayonnaise, ink, and pet accidents.
To deal with stains, mix 1 teaspoon ammonia with 1 cup of water. Spray the solution on the carpet and let it sit for one or two minutes. Use a white cloth or paper towel to blot the area, and you’re done.
Baking Soda
3/11
Over time, carpets develop an odor, and baking soda is good at pulling odors out of carpet fibers. However, baking soda isn’t a magic wand, and strong pet odors may be too much for it.
To eliminate odors, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the affected area. Leave it on the carpet anywhere from 60 minutes to 24 hours, then vacuum it up. The longer the baking soda stays on the carpet, the more odor it absorbs. (But don’t walk on the carpet while it’s covered with baking soda!) Even if you leave the baking soda on for only 60 minutes, it will remove some odors.
Clear Liquid Dishwashing Detergent
4/11
Clear liquid dishwashing detergent is effective at pulling stains from carpet. The trick is not to use too much. Mix just 2 or 3 drops of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of warm water. The drops should be very small. Too much detergent can leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dirt, dust, and debris.
Dip a white towel or paper towel into the solution, and dab the stain, gently working your way from the outer edge toward the middle. After you’ve eliminated the stain, dab the spot again with a white towel to remove the remaining cleaning solution.Detergent works best on water-soluble stains. Be sure to use only clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent.
Vinegar
5/11
Vinegar removes odors and loosens many food stains from carpet fibers. For cleaning and deodorizing, mix equal parts vinegar and water, then spray the solution onto the stain. Leave the vinegar/water solution on the carpet if you’re removing odors, or dab it off with a white cloth or paper towel if you’re using it to remove stains. Your house will smell like vinegar for a while, but the smell quickly dissipates.Be sure to use white vinegar. A colored vinegar could further stain the carpet.
Nail Polish Remover
6/11
The next time you drip nail polish on your carpet, just grab the nail polish remover. Nail polish removers can be harsh, so be sure you use a non-acetone, dye-free variety, and test it on a small area of carpet first.
Soak a white cloth in the nail polish remover, squeezing out any excess before dabbing the stain. Use a clean white cloth or paper towel to soak up any remaining nail polish remover after the stain has been removed. Keep in mind that nail polish remover works best on fresh stains.
Baking Soda and Cornstarch
7/11
If you don’t want to get your carpet wet, a mix of baking soda and cornstarch offers a dry option for cleaning greasy or oily stains. Both ingredients soak up grease and oil, while the baking soda also removes odors.
Mix the baking soda and cornstarch in equal parts and sprinkle it on the affected area. Let the mixture sit on the stain for 15 to 20 minutes, then vacuum it up. If the stain remains, repeat the process. You may have to dab the mixture into the carpet fibers, but avoid scrubbing. Scrubbing your carpet can undo the twist and create a fuzzy, worn look.
Club Soda
8/11
Club soda is nothing more than carbonated water with a few added minerals. Not surprisingly, it’s effective only on water-soluble stains. Apply club soda to a stain as soon as possible. The water and aeration keep the stain from setting into the carpet fibers. Dab the club soda on the spot, and repeat as needed.
Ice (for Gum)
9/11
Before applying ice, remove as much gum as you can with your fingers. Then, put two or three ice cubes in a plastic bag and set it on top of the gum. Once the gum has hardened, you can more easily remove it from the carpet fibers. Be gentle, so you don’t leave behind a worn spot.
Ice and an Iron (for Wax)
10/11
Gum isn’t the only stain ice removes. It’s also great for getting wax out of your carpet. Put one or two ice cubes in a plastic bag, then place the bag on the wax. When it gets cold, the wax becomes easier to pick out from the carpet. Gently scrape out as much as possible.
When you’re done scraping, cover the remaining wax with a white towel, paper towel, or paper bag. Set your iron on a low temperature (you don’t want to melt the carpet fibers), and pass it over the towel. As the wax melts, it soaks into the towel. Reposition the towel as needed and repeat.
Window Cleaner
11/11
If you don’t have a ready-made carpet cleaner on hand, a little window cleaner will do the job. Create a general carpet cleaning solution by mixing equal parts window cleaner and water. It’s simple, inexpensive, and safe for most types of carpet. Spray or dab it on the problem area, and remove it with a white towel or paper towel.
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FAQs
What is a homemade deep cleaning solution for carpet? ›
Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar, then apply this paste to deep stains or heavily soiled sections of carpet. Allow the paste to sit on the carpet for several hours until it dries completely, then vacuum it away.
How do you make a simple carpet cleaner? ›In a spray bottle, mix one cup of distilled water, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Shake well to mix and label the bottle.
What is the best homemade carpet cleaner for tough stains? ›Hydrogen peroxide is one of your best options for old, ground-in stains of nearly every variety, and luckily, it's easy to use. Mix a teaspoon of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with a little cream of tartar or a dab of non-gel toothpaste. blot the paste on the stain with a soft cloth until the stain is gone.
Does vinegar and dawn clean carpet? ›You can try a mixture of white vinegar, Dawn dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Use 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap, and fill with water. Spray area liberally and let soak for 5-10 minutes and then proceed with blotting with a clean, dry towel until stain is removed.
What is the fastest way to clean a dirty carpet? ›- Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of your carpet.
- Mix carpet shampoo (that you've color tested) with warm water; then add the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Spray the cleaning liquid over the carpet.
- Brush with a carpet brush.
- Blot the area.
Mix dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide and pour on the stain. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then blot dry. Repeat until the stain lifts.
What are the 3 ingredients used to remove stains from carpet? ›For those times when you need a little more stain fighting power, add baking soda to dish washing liquid, white vinegar, and warm water. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and you're ready to go. Or, try this combination of white vinegar, salt, and lavender scented essential oil to clean stains and deodorize.
Can I use Dawn in my carpet cleaner? ›There are times when we run out of stock for our cleaning solutions or homemade carpet cleaning solutions. But you don't have to worry as you can easily use laundry detergent as a carpet cleaner.
What is the homemade recipe for carpet cleaning machine? ›DIY carpet cleaner (for machines): 1/4 C vinegar + 4 Tbsp dish soap + 4 Tbsp fabric softener + 1/4 C hydrogen peroxide. Stir gently, then add mixture to an almost full gallon of very warm water. Then slowly add warm water to top it off. Gently tip the jug back & forth to mix (avoid suds and bubbles).
What are the 4 methods of the clean carpet without a carpet cleaner? ›- Vinegar. While this method is labour-intensive and time-consuming, it will probably deliver results if you have the patience. ...
- Regular vacuuming. ...
- Baking soda. ...
- Steam. ...
- Carpet shampoos.
What is the best homemade cleaning solution? ›
- 3/4 cup water.
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol.
- 5 to 10 drops peppermint, lemon, or orange essential oil.
- 1 squirt natural dish soap.
- 16-ounce spray bottle.
Try Baking Soda + Vinegar
Sprinkle a layer of dry baking soda on the stain. Then, mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. The vinegar will foam when it hits the baking soda which will clean the stain.
Scrub to disinfect
Blot away vinegar with a clean, dry towel. If you've got some real weird smelly bits of carpet, try sprinkling the offending areas with baking soda, and let it sit for about 20 minutes before vacuuming it up.
Vinegar removes odors and loosens many food stains from carpet fibers. For cleaning and deodorizing, mix equal parts vinegar and water, then spray the solution onto the stain.
Can I put vinegar and baking soda in my carpet shampooer? ›Baking soda will help freshen up both appearance and smell, and it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals – so you can feel good about your own well-being, your carpets, and the environment. And, if combined with another natural cleaning agent, vinegar, it can take care of even the toughest stains out there.
How do I make my carpet look new? ›Baking soda is the go-to solution for bringing your carpet back to life. Not only does it clean, it also kills bacteria, refreshes the pile and removes odours. Apply plenty of baking soda to completely cover your carpet then use a stiff brush to work it in, rubbing it in different directions.
How do you clean heavily soiled carpet without a machine? ›In a bowl or small bucket, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the solution and rub them into the carpet. Massage them into the fibers well (without fully saturating the carpet) and follow up with a cloth to help blot excess moisture.
What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution with hydrogen peroxide? ›It's a simple ratio of about one part dish soap and one part hydrogen peroxide (say, a tablespoon or so of each) to four parts vinegar. She pours all three into the carpet shampooer, filling it the rest of the way with warm water, then uses the machine as she normally would.
Can I leave hydrogen peroxide in carpet overnight? ›Hydrogen Peroxide (Do Not Use Wool)
After the carpet has dried completely, spray hydrogen peroxide in enough quantity to get the stained area uniformly wet, then leave it alone overnight The peroxide will have a mild bleaching effect.
- Baking Soda + Cornstarch + Cornmeal + Borax. ...
- Pristine Pet Stain & Odor Remover. ...
- Dr. ...
- Puracy Natural Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo. ...
- Biokleen Carpet & Rug Shampoo. ...
- Better Life Stain and Odor Eliminator.
Can hydrogen peroxide remove carpet stains? ›
Hydrogen peroxide has many uses, but it is most commonly known as a disinfectant or bleaching agent. When used on carpets and rugs, it can help to remove stains and dirt.
How to remove stains from carpet with hydrogen peroxide dish soap? ›Cleaning expert Melissa Maker says to mix 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of dish soap. After you've blotted up the spill, apply the solution to the stained area. Let it sit for a few seconds before gently working it in with your fingers.
Can I make my own carpet cleaning solution? ›For synthetic carpets: Mix ¼ teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into one cup of lukewarm water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix one teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Can I put laundry detergent in my carpet shampooer? ›Laundry Detergents aren't Formulated for Carpet Cleaning
Cleaning solutions are specifically formulated to clean and not damage the machines they're used in and the material they're treating. Laundry soap is designed to be used in washing machines to clean clothing.
Give Original Pine-Sol a try to help clean carpet stains and more. Rub in a splash of Original Pine-Sol® where needed. You can spot-treat grease or heavy dirt marks, or use all-around for a refresh. If you're not sure your carpet is colorfast, be sure to test an inconspicuous area first.
What are the best carpet cleaning methods at home? ›- Vacuum and Treat Visible Stains. Always begin any cleaning process by spot cleaning stains and then vacuuming the carpet to remove loose soil, dust, dirt, and debris. ...
- Mix a Vinegar and Water Solution. ...
- Apply the Solution, Wait, and Blot. ...
- Allow the Carpet to Air-Dry.
Combine half a cup of baking soda with ten drops of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle over your carpet, leave on for at least ten minutes, and then slowly vacuum over the area for a speedy refresh.
What is the easiest to clean carpet? ›Nylon – Nylon is considered one of the most durable of all carpeting materials and the easiest to keep clean.
What do professional carpet cleaners use to clean? ›The most common method being used by professionals is hot water extraction also known in short as HWE or incorrectly called steam cleaning.
How do you clean and sanitize carpet without steam cleaner? ›Mix a solution of 3/4 cup (180 mL) of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon (3.8 L) water in a clean bucket, then use a clean cloth to apply it over the carpet. Let the mixture sit on the carpet for five minutes before wiping it with paper towels or rags.
What are the 5 basic ingredients making a homemade cleaning solution? ›
- Spray bottle.
- Small funnel.
- 1/2 cup white vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons baking soda.
- Tea tree essential oil.
- Eucalyptus essential oil.
The combination of dish soap and vinegar is highly effective for a few different reasons. First, both ingredients are excellent at dissolving tough grime. However, vinegar alone will simply run off of most surfaces, while dish soap is too thick to use as a spray.
What is the recipe for Dawn and vinegar cleaner? ›To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned.
What type of stains Cannot be removed from carpet? ›- Red Wine. Red wine is a classic stain that many fear, as it's a dark liquid that is notoriously difficult to remove from carpet. ...
- Pet Urine. ...
- Vomit. ...
- Blood. ...
- Other Coloured Drinks. ...
- Coffee. ...
- Ink. ...
- Cooking Oil.
The most common method being used by professionals is hot water extraction also known in short as HWE or incorrectly called steam cleaning.
Is vinegar and baking soda a good carpet cleaner? ›If you're looking for a natural and inexpensive way to clean stains and odors from your carpets, then you can't go wrong with baking soda or vinegar.
Can I make my own solution for Bissell carpet cleaner? ›I have used grocery store rental carpet machines before and have come up with my own “recipe.” Use one scoop of Oxiclean, one cup of generic Febreze or one cup of vinegar, and the recommended hot water. The outcome is not only clean, but it also kills all odors.
What is the best form of carpet cleaning? ›The use of pressurised water agitates the carpet fibres and dislodges dirt from deep within the carpet and the vacuum immediately draws the waste out, leaving your carpet thoroughly clean. For the removal of stubborn stains and ingrained dirt, hot water extraction really is the best method of cleaning.
How to make carpet cleaning solution for carpet cleaning machine? ›- 1/4 cup white vinegar.
- 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide.
- 1 tablespoon dish soap (preferably with no dye in it if your carpet is light-colored)
- warm water.
Mix 1 cup of warm water, two tablespoons clear dish soap, two tablespoons of white vinegar in a spray bottle, and shake the mixture carefully. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and leave for 30 minutes. Spray the vinegar and dish soap solution on the baking soda and leave to bubble.
Does baking soda and peroxide clean carpet? ›
Carpet fibers are one of the most difficult surfaces to clean. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can penetrate deep into the fibers to remove dirt, grime, and stains.
How long to leave vinegar and baking soda on carpet? ›This can move along a lot quicker if you use vinegar and baking soda together, but baking soda on the stain by itself on the stain can be effective. Allow the baking soda to neutralise a stain overnight. 8 hours is beneficial but 12 hours is ideal.
How do you clean carpet with Dawn and hydrogen peroxide? ›Mix dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide and pour on the stain. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then blot dry. Repeat until the stain lifts.
What is a good substitute for carpet shampoo? ›- Steam Vapor. ...
- Water + Vinegar + Salt. ...
- Baking Soda + Vinegar + Water. ...
- Salt + Borax + Vinegar. ...
- Baking Soda + Cornstarch + Cornmeal + Borax.
Mix 1 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent into 1 cup of lukewarm water and put into a spray bottle. Spray the area with the solution. (NOTE: Do not use laundry detergent or automatic dishwasher detergent, as both contain chemicals that could damage your carpet.)