How to Use Baking Soda to Clean Carpet

Commercial carpet cleaning products can be pricey, and they can contain harsh chemicals. If you want to save money or simply be more green, you can clean your carpets with an affordable basic household ingredient--baking soda. Baking soda has absorption properties, so it soaks up both stains and odors without harsh scrubbing. Its deodorizing abilities may be especially useful if you have pet odors in your carpets. For baking soda to work effectively as a carpet cleaner, it must be used correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• 1 cup warm water
• Bucket or small bowl
• 2 tbsp mild liquid detergent (such as dish soap)
• Sponge
• White cloth

Instructions

1. Cover your carpet with a light, even layer of baking soda. Apply the baking soda in a heavier layer to any soiled areas.

2. Let the baking soda sit undisturbed for anywhere from 1 hour to overnight. Vacuum the entire surface of the carpet, making sure to remove all traces of the baking soda.

3. Examine the carpet for any remaining stains. If any stains are present on the carpet, pour 1 cup of warm water into a bucket or small bowl. Add 2 tbsp of mild liquid detergent to the water.

4. Dip a sponge into the sudsy water. Blot the sponge gently onto any stains until the carpet absorbs the liquid and the stains fade.

5. Moisten a white cloth with warm water. Dab gently at the carpet stain areas to rinse away any lingering detergent. Let the carpet air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Baking soda tends to work most effectively on wet or greasy carpet stains.

• Never harshly scrub carpet stains or you could permanently damage the carpet fibers. The excess pressure could also force any stains farther down into the carpet.

References

• Healthy Child Healthy World: Cleaning Carpet Without Chemicals
• Good Housekeeping Magazine: Stain Busters