What Cleaning Products Are Best for Your Carpet?

Wall-to-wall carpet is a popular flooring material, but spills and accidents can leave unsightly stains and unpleasant smells. Knowing what cleaning products are best for your carpet makes it easy to keep your home looking and smelling fresh.

Why it’s Important to Choose the Right Cleaning Products for Your Carpet

The goal with any carpet cleaner is to remove the offending stain and odor without damaging the carpet or endangering the health of your family and pets. For the best results, avoid using bleach, abrasive brushes, store-bought cleaners (like Resolve or Oxiclean), and laundry detergent. If a cleaning product damages your carpet, you may be resigned to hiding it under an area rug or replacing it altogether.

DIY Carpet Cleaning Products

Want to steer clear of chemicals and commercial cleaners? Try these natural carpet cleaning recipes to tackle small carpeted areas and those “uh-oh” moments.

Homemade Carpet Shampoo

If you have a small carpet cleaning machine, you can make your own shampoo using natural ingredients. Here are two recipes to try.

Recipe #1

• 1 gallon hot water
• 3 teaspoons dish soap
• 5 to 6 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
• Carpet cleaning machine

Recipe #2

• 1 gallon hot water
• 1 tablespoon clear, liquid dish soap
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 5 to 6 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
• Carpet cleaning machine

Directions

1. Pour hot water into the carpet cleaning machine.
2. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean your carpets.
4. Use vacuum attachment to go over area several times to remove as much moisture as possible to prevent mold or mildew from developing.

Deodorizing Carpet Cleaner

If your carpet needs a little refresher, deodorize it with this recipe.

Recipe #1

• 1/2 cup dried lavender
• 1 cup baking soda
• 30 to 40 drops of lavender essential oil
• Glass container with lid

Directions

1. Grind dried lavender in a blender or food processer and place in a glass container.
2. Add the baking soda and essential oil.
3. Place a lid on the container and shake well to combine. Allow the jar to sit overnight.
4. Sprinkle the mixture over the carpet and allow it to rest for 15 minutes.
5. Vacuum as usual.

Recipe #2

• Pure baking soda
• Essential oil(s)

Instructions

1. Fill a dredge shaker about halfway full of pure baking soda.
2. Place about 7-8 drops of your favorite essential oil in the container.
3. Shake the container, then repeat step one and two so that the container is full to the top with baking soda. Let the mixture sit for a day or two so the oils have a chance to spread out.
4. To use your natural carpet deodorizer, sprinkle on the carpet or rug and let sit for about 10 minutes, then vacuum immediately.

DIY Carpet Stain Remover

Ammonia is the key ingredient for removing a variety of carpet stains. Try this recipe on dry stains such as spilled food, dirt, and even blood stains.

Recipe

• Dish cloth
• Cool water

Directions

1. Take a soaking wet dish cloth and slowly apply pressure (with your hand, or stand on cloth) forcing the water into the pile and carpet pad
2. Leave set for at least 15 minutes
3. Blot with a dry or damp dish towel
4. Repeat as necessary
5. If stain persists, move to vinegar/water (Fresh Spills) recipe

Homemade Pet Stain Remover

Accidents happen. For the best results, treat fresh spills and pet stains as quickly as possible.

Recipe #1

• Wet and dry dish cloth
• 2-4 oz. cool water
• 2-4 oz. white vinegar

Directions

1. Blot up any excess spill by standing on a dry (layered) dish cloth or bath towel.
2. Pour 2-4 oz. cool water (for drink, soda, milk, and food spills) or equal parts water/white vinegar mix (for urine, vomit, blood, or feces).
3. Blot the area with a wet dish cloth (cool water).
4. Repeat as necessary.
5. Finish by standing on a dry dish or bath towel or to remove even more moisture, we recommend the Bissell Spot Bot Pet Portable Cleaner.
6. If this approach does not work, apply spot cleaner sparingly to a damp dish cloth wrapped around your thumb and gently massage the spot, causing it to transfer into the cloth.
7. Repeat as necessary.

Recipe #2 (if Recipe 1 doesn’t yield results)

• Detergent solution (1/2 teaspoon clear dishwashing liquid and 1/2 cup water)
• Vinegar solution (1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup water)
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 4 spray bottles
• 4 dry white cloths

Directions

1. Remove excess liquids and solids from the carpet.
2. Fill four spray bottles with the solutions and water listed above.
3. Spray the stain with the detergent solution and blot with a cloth.
4. Repeat with the ammonia and vinegar solutions, blotting with a fresh cloth each time.
5. Reapply the detergent solution and blot once more.
6. Spray with lukewarm water and blot with the final cloth.

Contact CLEAN Choice for Carpet Cleaning Assistance

If a stubborn stain refuses to lift, or you want to thoroughly refresh your carpet, turn to CLEAN Choice Cleaning & Restoration for help. We offer eco-friendly carpet cleaning that’s safe for children, pets, and the environment. With routine services, your carpet will be healthier, feel softer, and last longer.

Give us a call at (410) 978-6050 or contact us online to book an appointment for green carpet cleaning in Baltimore or Annapolis, MD.