How Do You Make Homemade Carpet Cleaner?

Installing luxurious carpets and area rugs is a great way to add style and comfort to a home. Clean, shiny and vibrant floor coverings can elevate the entire look and feel of your space. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis. Spills, traces of heavy soil, pet fur, embedded dust and other allergens can make them look dull and discoloured.

Of course, the market is loaded with fancy store-bought carpet cleaners, but most of them contain hazardous chemicals and toxic fumes. Naphthalene is one of the most common chemicals that can cause liver damage or cataracts over a long exposure. Various other chemicals, such as Ammonia, bleach, and perchloroethylene, could lead to headaches, respiratory problems, and even neurological damage.

So, it is high time to ditch these toxic products and switch to safe and sound alternatives that are effective, too. In this article, we will prepare homemade carpet cleaner using natural/organic ingredients, such as vinegar, baking soda, etc. The best part is that these recipes are easy to follow and can tackle all types of stains and grime with perfection. So, be ready to use a bit of effort and the right techniques to retrieve your carpets.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Determine the Type of Carpet Fibres: Synthetic Vs. Natural

The first step should be identifying the type of carpet fibres before tackling stubborn stains. The two most common types are synthetic and natural, and both need different cleaning techniques for desirable results.

• Synthetic Fiber Carpets: These are more durable and can tolerate a range of cleaning products and methods, such as hot water extraction, shampooing, etc. You can even use a bit of elbow grease to tackle stains. Make sure you check for labels, such as “polyester”, “nylon” and “synthetic” and prepare cleaning products accordingly.
• Natural Fiber Carpets: If your carpet is made of wool, jute, sisal and other natural fibres, you need to be extra careful when applying cleaning products. Harsh chemicals and detergents can cause shrinkage or discolouration. Gentle blotting and drying after cleaning are key tips for keeping natural fibre carpets clean.

You can also hire professionals for a quality carpet cleaning Adelaide to restore its brightness and shine.

2. Prepare a Basic Carpet Cleaner using Mild Detergent

This homemade cleaning agent makes tackling spills and mild carpet stains becomes easy. All you need is:

• ¼ teaspoon of mild liquid dishwashing detergent and one cup of warm water.
• Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil and mix all ingredients.
• Pour this mixture into a spray bottle.
• Make sure you gently apply it on fresh stains or spills.
• Blot the area with a microfiber cloth.

Tip: Take a patch test, especially on natural fibre carpet because some store-bought detergents contain harmful chemicals like Ammonia.

3. Vinegar-Based Carpet Stain Remover

White vinegar is one of the most powerful cleaning agents. You can replace PFAS-based cleaning agents with vinegar.  It can dislodge stubborn stains, such as pet urine stains, mould, mildew, coffee and juice spills, and grease from your delicate floor coverings without releasing toxic fumes. Even experts use vinegar and other safe products for a professional end of lease cleaning Adelaide. Here is a quick recipe:

• Mix all ingredients: Take an empty spray bottle and add one cup of distilled vinegar, one cup of warm water, one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and 10 drops of essential oil. Mix it well.
• Spray the Solution: You can spray the stained area with vinegar and let it soak for a few minutes. This will break down the grime.
• Blot and Dry: Dip a cloth in cold water and gently blot the area. Do not rub or scrub the natural fibre carpet. This will transfer the stain and leave your carpets shiny. Let it air-dry completely.

4. Prepare a Homemade Carpet Cleaner and Refresher

This is one of the most versatile cleaning products for carpets. Prepare a dry mixture to clean, deodorise and brighten up your floor coverings. Use baking soda because it is mildly abrasive and has alkaline properties. It can absorb grease stains, bad odours, and germs without causing any damage.

• Mix equal parts of baking soda and table salt in a bowl.
• After cleaning, sprinkle the dry mixture over the carpet. Work in a grid so you don’t miss out on any area.
• Gently spray the dry mixture with water.
• Let it sit for 2 hours or overnight. This will banish all stains and smells.
• Vacuum away the loose debris and baking soda residue.

If you are at the end of your lease, then hire the end of lease cleaning Adelaide experts for the entire property. They can help you get the full bond back without any dispute.

5. General Carpet Cleaning Tips for Better Results

Here is a brief guide on general cleaning hacks to keep all types and sizes of carpets clean all year round:

• Always vacuum your carpets first. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to fetch embedded dust, dirt and grime.
• Test the cleaning solution on a hidden carpet area before applying it to treat stains.
• Pre-treat stains using vinegar before steam cleaning your carpets
• Blot up spills and splatters using a microfiber cloth or paper towel
• Clean from the outside of the stain to the inward. This will prevent spreading or smudging of stains.
• Rinse the cleaned surface with plain water to avoid nasty white patches.
• Allow your carpet to dry completely, especially natural carpets.
• Follow proper mould prevention techniques to boost the durability of your delicate coverings
• Hire professional carpet cleaning experts once every six months

Include carpet cleaning in your weekly house cleaning schedule to keep them sparkling all year round.

Tips to Prepare All-Natural Homemade Carpet Cleaners:

Wrapping Up

There is no denying that store-bought carpet cleaning products contain harsh chemicals and preservatives to boost their shelf life. These can pose serious health threats and increase greenhouse gasses. On the other hand, homemade carpet cleaners are safe, effective, and affordable. Use this guide to prepare a solution right before your carpet cleaning session.