Homemade Carpet Cleaners: The Best DIY Carpet Cleaning

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When dealing with spills, smells and carpet markups, it’s best to clean the stain as soon as possible. Most present-day carpets are pre-treated with liquid resistance, but taking the necessary precautions to avoid long-term carpet blemishes is recommended.

Nobody wants carpet cleaning products that potentially trap harmful material within the carpets they’re supposed to be cleaning. This is where the appeal for natural carpet cleaning comes in.

Types of Stains: Water Soluble vs. Non-Water Soluble

• There are two general types of stains, those that dissolve in water and those that don’t. 
• Water-soluble stains, those that dissolve in water, are often easier to clean. Water-soluble stains are the result of washable ink, milk, latex paint, berries, mud, and more. 
• Non-soluble stains, those that do not dissolve in water, include wine, pet messes, blood, chocolate, and coffee. 
• The type of stain will determine the treatment.
• It’s much easier to remove a stain when you know what it is. If you don't, the best way to treat it is to start small and test different treatments.

Natural Solutions for Removing Carpet Stains  

• Water and dish soap is the safest method to start with. 
• It’s safe enough for wool blend carpets and it won’t stain. This is the most effective method to use when you’re unsure what the stain is from.
• Mix a cup of room temperature water with a few drops of dish soap. Use a white towel or a microfiber towel to work it into the stain. 
• Do not get it too wet or it could soak through the carpet pad.
• Let it sit for a few minutes and use a clean cloth and fresh water to blot the stain. 

• Mix 2 cups of water with a tablespoon of vinegar and dish soap. This can work for tougher, water-soluble stains like juice or food dye.
• Use a clean white towel to apply some of the solutions. Let it sit for a few minutes and blot it with clean water.

• This method is great for old grease stains. Make sure to test it out on a hidden carpet area before treating the stain.
• 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.
• Leave it to sit for a few hours. It will harden, but break it up and vacuum to remove.

Homemade Cleaners for Carpets and Rugs

• Detergent solution: Mix one teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergents, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Vinegar solution: Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup of water.
• Ammonia solution: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with ½ cup of lukewarm water.
• Solvent solution: Same as for synthetic carpets.

1. Spray the stain with the homemade detergent solution for natural-fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth.
2. Spray the stain with vinegar solution for natural-fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth.
3. Spray the stain with ammonia solution for natural-fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth.
4. Spray the stain with lukewarm water, then blot with a dry white cloth.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the stain is removed.

1. Apply a small amount of homemade carpet cleaning solvent to a white cloth. Dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds.
2. Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water.
3. Wait one hour or until the carpet completely dries. If the stain is getting lighter, repeat until the stain is removed.

• Vacuum any dry dirt to remove as much as possible.
• Dip a white cloth into the detergent solution for synthetic-fiber carpets and dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes and soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.
• Dip another dry white cloth in lukewarm water and dab repeatedly, then press it on the spot for a few Synthetic-fiber and natural fiber carpets and rugs.
• Gently rub the spot with a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes until the stain hardens. Shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spatula, and vacuum up the chips.
• Apply a small amount of solvent with a white cloth, then blot.
• Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water.

• Apply a small amount of solvent to a white cloth, then blot. Wait 15 minutes to dry. Repeat if necessary.
• Rinse by blotting with a white cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait 15 minutes, then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.

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