We have already posted a lot of articles about carpet cleaning – we have compared professional methods, we have written about the stain removal techniques, and we shared some tips on how to find a reliable service in your area. However, you don’t need to hire a carpet cleaning company every time you need to remove a small spot, or when your carpet needs to be refreshed! Here are 7 recipes you can use to prepare your own carpet cleaners with inexpensive ingredients you can find at home.

 

Safety Tips for DIY Cleaning of Carpets and Rugs

Let us remind you a few necessary safety measures you need to take to avoid accidents during DIY carpet cleaning:

1. Always check the carpet manufacturer’s label and if your carpet is sensitive to some of the ingredients in the cleaner you want to try, better choose an alternative cleaning recipe or method.

2. Never use liquid detergents on water-sensitive carpets to avoid damage.

3. If you can’t check the manufacturer’s label, better turn to professional cleaning company to deal with the carpet maintenance.

4. Always try stain removal product (regardless if they are homemade or store-bought) on a small, inconspicuous area of your carpet, and wait at least 10 minutes before treating the spot.

Vinegar & Baking Soda Pet Stain Cleaner

This is one of the simplest recipes you can prepare if you have to remove pet urine stains from your carpet. White distilled vinegar is a great, natural substance and will help you deal quickly with fresh stains. Baking soda is a the best substance you can use to get rid of foul odours from your carpets and upholstery.

You will need:

1 cup white distilled vinegar

1 cup lukewarm water

1 bowl

4 tbsp baking soda

cleaning cloth

spray bottle

vacuum

Instructions:

Soak and blot out as much of the stain as possible. If  there are solid residues carefully remove them with a spoon or a butter knife. Pour the water and the vinegar in a bowl and set aside. Sprinkle baking soda generously onto the stained area on your rug. Allow it to soak the moisture and to deodorise the spot for at least 5 minutes. Remove the soda with the vacuum. Pour the water-vinegar mixture into a spray bottle and spray the stain. Leave it on the carpet for 10 minutes to break down the dirt. Then, take a soft dry cloth and lightly blot the area to absorb the liquid solution. Let the carpet dry completely. You can use this cleaner for pet urine or vomit.

Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking soda Pet Stain Cleaner

Hydrogen peroxide is another excellent substance for cleaning pet urine stains. Couple it with the natural deodorising power of baking soda and the result is an efficient solution that will help you deal with the pet accident on your carpet.

You will need:

1/2 cup baking soda (or more, depending on the size of the stain)

1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide

1 tsp dishwashing detergent

cloths/kitchen paper

1 bowl

1 brush with a soft bristle

1 spatula/butter knife

Instructions:

Lay kitchen paper over the stain to absorb the liquid. Sprinkle the baking soda over the stain. Combine the hydrogen peroxide and the dishwashing liquid into a bowl. Carefully pour the solution over the area as it is still covered with the baking soda. Gently work the compound into the fibres with a soft brush. Leave the mixture for 15 minutes. Scrape off the residues using the spatula, allow the carpet to dry, and vacuum the area thoroughly.

Steam Carpet Cleaning Solution

Using a portable steamer to treat your carpet is one of the safest ways to eliminate bacteria settled deep into its fibres. Try this homemade recipe to enhance the cleaning power of the steamer without using harsh toxic product!

You will need:

2 tbsp dishwashing detergent

¼ cup white vinegar

½ cup hydrogen peroxide

a few drops of essential oil

Instructions:

Stir all the ingredients in a bowl until they blend well. The essential oil is optional, but it gives your cleaner a pleasant odour. Pour the mix into the container of your steam cleaner and top it off with water. Shake well to make sure the solution dilutes in the water. Turn on the steamer and treat the whole surface of your carpet. After this, throw away the liquid, rinse the container, fill it with clean water and rerun to ‘rinse’ the carpet.

Carpet and Rug Odour Eliminator

This great, easy to make deodoriser will help you deal with foul odours coming from your carpet. Try it when you want to get rid of cigarette smell, pet odours,  or kitchen smells as often as you need. This is a non-toxic freshener which is very gentle to your carpet.

You will need:

1 cup of baking soda

1 cup of borax powder

5-6 drops of essential oil

1 bowl

1 soft brush

Instructions:

Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the essential oil. Double the amount of everything if you need to deodorise a large carpet. Sprinkle this compound directly onto the rug. Use a brush with soft bristles to spread the mixture evenly. Allow it to sit for half an hour, then vacuum the carpet. The dry ingredients are doing the magic in this recipe – both of them efficiently absorb unpleasant odours. The essential oil is optional, but it will leave a delicate scent on your carpet.

Revive the Colours of Your Rug with Vinegar

If your carpet looks dingy and the colours don’t come up even after a vigorous vacuuming, try this recipe to revive it.

You will need:

1 cup distilled white vinegar

portable steam cleaner

Instructions:

Pour the vinegar into the water tank of your steamer and fill it to the top with water. Steam your carpet as usual and leave the windows open to let it air dry. The vinegar smell should worry you as it disappears in a couple of hours. You will be amazed by the result!

Colour Protect Rug Cleaner

If you are want to refresh an area rug, but you are afraid that DIY cleaning would cause colour bleeding, try preparing this colour safe carpet detergent.

You will need:

1 bowl

1 foam-dispenser bottle/egg whisk

1 cleaning sponge

1 tsp distilled white vinegar

½ tsp ammonia

3 tbsp dishwashing liquid

2 cups cool water

Vacuum cleaner

Instructions: 

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Pour the solution into a foam dispenser (if you don’t have one, use an egg beater to whisk into foam). Apply the foam onto the rug and blot lightly with a dry sponge. After 5 minutes rinse the sponge and squeeze it until it’s almost dry. Blot the surface gently to remove the residues of your cleaner. The rug will be slightly damp but it will dry fast, especially if you leave an open window to allow good air circulation in the room. Vacuum your rug carpet after it gets dry.

Shaving Foam Stain Remover

Shaving foam is one of the best spot removal products you can use to clean your carpet. It works great for almost any type of general stains like fruits juice, grease, and even – ink.

You will need:

A dab of shaving foam

Cleaning sponge

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 cup lukewarm water

Spray bottle

Clean cloth

Spatula/butter knife

Instructions:

Apply the shaving foam directly on the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. After the time is up, remove the foam carefully with a dull knife.  Blot the spot with a slightly damp sponge to ‘rinse’ it. Mix water and vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the area.  Blot dry with a clean cloth.

If you don’t find the DIY cleaning the best idea of spending your time, just call us and book our skilled carpet cleaners in London! Our trained professional will take care of your textile floorings and deliver outstanding results without any effort on your side.