How to Make Your Own Carpet Cleaners and Deodorizers: Frugal and Green

All of your carpet cleaners and deodorizers can be made by common household products. This is a great way to both remove the unhealthy chemicals from your home, but also save quite a bit of money.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Club Soda
• Corn Starch
• Essential Oil

1. CARPET SPOT REMOVER:
   
   RECIPE 1:
   Mix white vinegar and baking soda into a paste. Work the paste into the stain with an old tooth brush. When dry, vacuum up baking soda. Depending on the stain, this process may need to done twice.
   
   RECIPE 2:
   Soak spot immediately in club soda and blot until spot is gone.
   
   RECIPE 3:
   To remove grease spots, blot up as much liquid as possible then rub a liberal amount of baking soda or corn starch on the spot. Let sit overnight then vacuum in the morning.

2. CARPET DEODORIZER / FRESHENER:
   
   RECIPE 1:
   Sprinkle baking soda on carpet, leave on 15 minutes or longer, then vacuum as usual. This will naturally remove pet and other odors from your carpet.
   
   RECIPE 2:
   For a fragrant carpet freshener, combine 4 cups baking soda, 35 drops Eucalyptus essential oil, 30 drops Lavender essential oil, and 25 drops Rosewood essential oil (or any combination of essential oils), mix in a bowl breaking up any clumps to disperse the essential oils. Sprinkle mixture on carpet and let sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming.

3. CARPET STEAM CLEANER SOLUTION:
   
   Fill the carpet cleaner with a mixture containing equal parts of white vinegar and warm water, then clean according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. CARPET CLEANER FOR PET ACCIDENTS:
   
   First blot area, then add a solution of white vinegar and water. Blot again until almost dry. Sprinkle baking soda over the area then let dry completely. Vacuum up the baking soda residue the next day.

5. INDOOR / OUTDOOR CARPET CLEANER:
   
   Mix a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 bucket of warm water. Scrub carpet with a brush or broom then hose off.

Resources

• Frugal Patti - Tips for Frugal Living

[GreenGardenChic]

on 11/4/2008 I'm always looking for good eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. I love that this recipe uses ingredients I can find in my cupboard.