How to Use Natural Products For Carpet Cleaning

When it comes to carpet cleaning, you don't have to use harsh chemicals to get your carpets clean and fresh. A budget friendly and healthier way is to use natural products for your carpet cleaning.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dirty carpet
• Vacuum cleaner
• Large box of Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Sponge or rag
• Mild soapy water

1. Vacuuming the surface dirt off your carpet is the first step of cleaning carpets. You don't want to be grinding in more dirt as you spot clean your carpet. Pick up or move as many things as possible to allow more access for carpet cleaning. Look over your carpets and assess what types of stains you have. Most typical carpet stains don't require a lot of work or special cleaning products. Wine, grape juice, blood, and oily stains are the toughest to treat and you may have better results on those with a commercial carpet cleaning product.

2. For most stains, a simple scrub down with a mild soap and a sponge will take care of the problem. Use a circular motion, and light pressure. If your carpet stain is a little more stubborn, sprinkle a little baking soda on the stain, and add a little vinegar on top of the baking soda. Let it foam up, and sponge up excess. Use a clean dry rag to pull out as much moisture as possible by pressing on the damp spot. After hitting the big spots, use a sponge dampened with a mild soap and water and wipe down the rest of carpet. This may take a little longer, but will not leave residues and fumes of harsh chemicals. Let dry, use a fan if necessary.

3. When you are satisfied with your carpet cleaning results, sprinkle a large box of baking soda over your carpet. Get down and work it into the fibers. Let set an hour, overnight if possible, and vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda will help pull out odors trapped in your carpet fibers, and is an effective tool to use in carpet cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• If fleas are a problem, you can sprinkle salt on your carpets to sit overnight. Salt will kill the fleas and eggs, and will vacuum out easily the next day.
• Only use a damp sponge or rag, and do not saturate the carpet, even when using the baking soda and vinegar.
• Test for color fastness in an inconspicuous area before using any type of wet item on your carpet. Under a couch is a good place to check, because if your carpet is not color fast you can hide it easily.

[MommyTeach]

on 12/29/2008 I'm printing this out! 5*

[2besure]

on 12/7/2008 Great ideas. I have a few spots I need to take care of myself.

[MI-Sandi]

on 11/13/2008 Similar to my article, great job, think green!

[LucyRN]

on 11/11/2008 Great tips, I have a dog so I really have to clean my carpet often, I'm deffinitly going to try baking soda

[vanilla-caramel]

on 11/11/2008 Thanks for sharing this informative article!