How to Make a Nontoxic Carpet Cleaner

Restore carpet freshness with a natural, homemade carpet cleaner.

Increasing public awareness about the impact of chemicals on the environment offers motivation to find natural alternatives that are safer for the human body. Clean carpets enhance the home environment, and the cleaners we use to maintain them don't have to be toxic.



The Montana Pollution Protection Program warns that carpet cleaners may contain ingredients implicated in reproductive harm, cancer, respiratory disorders as well as known eye and skin irritants. You can make your own, non-toxic carpet cleaners for a healthy home.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Cornmeal
• Dry bay leaves (optional)
• Clove spice powder (optional)
• Small empty box, such as a baking soda box

Instructions

1. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 cups of cornmeal per room. Double or triple the recipe, if needed for more than one room. If desired, add five crumbled bay leaves and 1 tbsp. clove powder to help counteract odors.

2. Pour the dry carpet cleaner mixture in a box, such as an empty baking soda box or plastic storage container.

3. Shake the mixture over the carpet, making sure any damp spots have completely dried before applying. Start in one corner of the room and shake a thin layer of the non-toxic carpet cleaner over the entire carpet. Allow it to sit for at least an hour, then vacuum. For heavy odors, leave the mixture on the carpet overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Sweep the carpet with a broom before applying carpet cleaner, to raise the pile and loosen embedded soil.

• Clean up spills by gently patting the carpet to soak up excess moisture. Don't rub spills, as that drives the stain deeper into the carpet fibers.

• Use castile soap, diluted 1 part soap to 1 part water, to remove soiling and stains. Apply sparingly with a clean rag--avoid making the carpet wet. Brush stubborn stains with a stiff-bristled brush to remove the stain from all sides of the carpet fibers.

• Peppermint castile soap works well on many odors.

• Gently scrape greasy spills--such as butter, mayonnaise and oily foods--off of the carpet with a butter knife. Wash the area with natural dish soap and water, or castile soap and water.

References

• Montana Pollution Protection Program: Housekeeping Best Practices
• Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Homemade Non Toxic Household Cleaners