How to Make Your Own Green Cleaning Carpet Shampoo

Keeping carpets clean can be a never-ending task. Dirt and odors are soaked up daily by the constant activity of the household. Purchasing cleaning agents for your steam cleaner can be harmful for your family and pets, as well as the environment. By making your own carpet cleaning solution, you'll be going green AND saving some green as well.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• steam cleaner
• water
• vinegar
• other household materials, depending on the recipe you choose

1. 
    

   BASIC RECIPE:
   Mix together 1/2 cup white vinegar and one gallon of water. Add to cleaning solution on your carpet's steam cleaner.
   
   Clean carpets as directed by steam cleaner's manufacturer.

2. 
    

   SPOT REMOVER:
   Mix together enough baking soda and vinegar to form a paste. Rub into spot on the carpet, using an old toothbrush or scrub brush if needed. Allow the paste to dry. Vacuum up the dried paste and the spot should be gone.

3. CARPET FOAM CLEANER:
   Mix together 1/4 cup vegetable oil-based liquid soap and ~3 Tablespoons of water. Whisk with a wire whisk or egg mixer until it foams. Rub foam onto problem areas of carpet. Rinse with water, blot with towels, and allow to dry thoroughly.

4. 
    

   GREASE REMOVER:
   Soak up as much grease as possible. Sprinkle either baking soda or corn starch onto grease. Leave on overnight. Vacuum carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• Vinegar removes stains and odors, without the use of chemicals
• Allow carpets to dry thoroughly before resuming daily activities to avoid attracting new dirt
• Always test cleaners in a hidden area of your carpet, as damage to materials is possible.

Resources

• Sarah's Blog has more great ideas...

[johnrapp]

on 10/19/2009 Right on, I love to clean carpets.

[jinji]

on 8/17/2009 just go to the closest home depot or super market and get yourself one of those rug cleaners.
then pre spot the entire area with some soil remover and wait 10 minuts from the time that you pre sprayed and start going over the carpet with the steam cleaner.
this way you can get very good results.
for more info please visit our website at: http://theglobalcarpet.com/
thanks!

[emilywhitby1]

on 6/10/2009 Who knew it was so easy to make this!? I hate to steam clean my carpets because I worry about putting chemicals onto the floor where my baby is crawling! Thanks so much for this advice--I can't wait to try it.

[sabrinacareer]

on 5/13/2009 great tips

[EmilyBeach]

on 4/26/2009 Cool. I like your blog as well.