Carpets need regular cleaning to stay fresh and nice. Whether you have a big carpet covering your whole floor or a small one in the living room, it’s important to keep them clean to make them last longer. Many people wait until something bad happens, like a spill, before they think about cleaning. But there are homemade ways to clean carpets that work well and are gentle on the fibers.

You can make these five homemade carpet cleaner recipes from stuff you probably already have at home, unlike the strong chemicals you might need for rented cleaners or a professional carpet cleaner to have their professional carpet cleaning services. Let’s explore some easy homemade carpet cleaners!

  1. Vinegar and Baking Soda Mix: Mix some vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, spray the vinegar mix on it, and let it fizz. Then gently scrub and rinse with warm water. It’s great for getting rid of new stains, and smells and it is non-toxic.
  2. Baking Soda Freshener: Just sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum it up. This helps get rid of odours and dirt stuck in the fibre.
  3. DIY Carpet Shampoo: Mix dish soap, vinegar, and water. Use this mix in a carpet cleaning machine or spray it on the carpet, then clean it as usual.
  4. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution: Mix hydrogen peroxide with water and a bit of dish soap. Dab it on tough stains, let it sit, and then blot it dry. It works wonders on pet accidents and greasy spills.
  5. Fabric Softener Spray: Mix fabric softener with water in a spray bottle and lightly spray it on the carpet. Then vacuum it up. Your carpet will smell amazing and feel soft and cozy.

Before You Clean Your Carpet You Must Know What Type of Carpet You Have To Make a Homemade Carpet Stain Remover

Before you start cleaning your carpet, it’s important to know what kind of material it’s made of. Carpets can be made from natural fibers or synthetic fibers, and the cleaning method you use will depend on this. Homemade carpet or rugs cleaners are usually gentle, but it’s still a good idea to do a spot test in a hidden area before using them on the whole carpet.

First, you need to figure out if your carpet is made of natural or synthetic fibers. This will help you choose the right carpet cleaning solution and method. Also, before using any homemade carpet cleaner, do a spot test in a hidden area to make sure it won’t damage the carpet.

Options for DIY Homemade Carpet Cleaners for General Cleaning

With or without visible dust/stains, your own carpet traps particles and contaminants that render it dirty and unsanitary. A large percentage of allergens in the home are often found in carpets. This is why general house cleaning as part of whole carpet maintenance and upkeep is all the more important because you certainly wouldn’t want your pet accidents your kids, or yourself, to be breathing in these impurities.

For general house carpet cleaning, we find a natural, non-toxic homemade carpet cleaner to be the best choice. Not only are they effective in cleaning and refreshing carpets, they also ensure that no harsh chemicals or non toxic or harmful chemicals get left behind. These DIY carpet cleaners would help you make you cleaning experience way easier.

#1 Baking Soda

The simplest way to clean and refresh your carpet and eliminate tough stains is by using baking soda. When given enough time, the powder absorbs musty smells and other bad carpet and rugs odors that otherwise tend to linger. For this, you will first need to vacuum the carpet thoroughly, and then sprinkle baking soda over it. Use a soft carpet brush to spread the powder as evenly as possible, and work it into the carpet for a deeper clean.

For best results, leave the baking soda to do its job overnight (or, at least an hour if you’re in a pinch), and vacuum the entire area of carpet the next morning. The baking soda will help leave your carpets smelling fresh. You can also try mixing baking soda with vinegar to make a carpet cleaner solution. Always test cleaners on a small, hidden part of the carpet first to check for colourfastness. Carpet cleaning with simple, homemade cleaners is an eco friendly and effective way to refresh your home.

Cleaning Minor Stains with Baking Soda

In case you are dealing with visible ground-in dirt, or minor carpet stains, mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar (you can also add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance), and pour it into a spray bottle. After the baking soda has sat on the carpet for a few hours, lightly spray the stained area enough to dampen it, and allow the ingredients to react for a few minutes. Then, take a clean, white cloth, and gently dab the area to lift the dirt/stain. If needed, blot the dampened spot with paper towels or a clean, dry (white) towel to absorb excess liquid.

The white vinegar and baking soda carpet cleaner solution is an environmentally friendly way to tackle minor carpet stains and refresh your home. Always test cleaners on a small, hidden part of the carpet first. Allow the area to completely dry before vacuuming up the baking soda.

clean carpets with chair on top

#2 Water-Vinegar-Salt

Mixing hot water only, vinegar, and salt creates a versatile homemade carpet cleaner, that’s perfect for tackling mild stains and refreshing your carpet overall. Vinegar’s acidic properties help break down stains and odors while acting as a natural disinfectant. Salt aids in lifting dirt and grime from the carpet fibers while also helping to neutralize odors. Dilute the made cleaning mixture with water to ensure it’s gentle on your the surface area.

This simple yet effective homemade carpet cleaning solution is an excellent option for regular maintenance and keeping your carpets looking and smelling fresh without harsh chemicals.This homemade, carpet cleaner solution can be used for mild carpet stains, as well as for general house carpet cleaning machines, and refreshing purposes.

What You’ll Need:

To begin, combine the ingredients below to make natural carpet cleaners:

  • 2 parts water
  • 1 part distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon equal parts salt (per 1 cup water)
  • Few drops of colorless essential oil

Add the above into a spray bottle, and give it a good shake to blend all the cleaning products well. Use the spray bottle to lightly spray the entire carpet or stained area. Allow the fibers to dry completely before vacuuming the carpet. For mild stains, dampen a cloth with the carpet cleaning solution, and blot repeatedly until the stain has lifted in its entirety.

#3 Vinegar-Salt-Borax

For general spot-cleaning or removing a fresh stain caused by a dirty shoe print, this cleaning paste should be your go-to carpet cleaner. It’s really simple to make, too; all you need is a small bowl to combine equal parts vinegar, salt, and borax. This should form a paste, however, if the consistency is too runny/lumpy, you may adjust the amounts as needed.

Now, put on a pair of rubber gloves, and apply a small amount of the paste to test spot of the stain using your fingers to gently work it into the carpet’s natural fibers. Let the paste sit and dry completely for 2-3 hours, then vacuum it up. Observe the area for any remnants of the stain and, if found, dampen a clean cloth with water, and wipe the area using minimal pressure. When the stain has been removed completely, allow the carpet to dry, and vacuum the area one last time.

#4 Baking Soda-Borax-Cornstarch-Cornmeal-Spices

If your carpet requires a dry carpet cleaner solution, or you just prefer not to dampen the material which would be the case in cleaning excess liquid mixture using a commercial carpet cleaner, or steam cleaning, cleaning using one teaspoon the following powdered mixture does an excellent job at homemade carpet cleaning, refreshing, and revitalizing carpet fibers.

Thoroughly vacuum to remove the powder. This environmentally friendly dry and carpet shampooer cleaning solution revives carpets without using harsh chemicals or getting them wet. Always test cleaners on a small, hidden part of the carpet first and allow it to completely dry before vacuuming.

To make this and homemade cleaners and carpet shampoo recipe dry homemade and carpet shampooer homemade carpet shampoo recipe and cleaner here is what you need.

Ingredients Required:

  • Baking soda – 2 cups
  • Borax – 1 cup
  • Cornstarch – half a cup
  • Cornmeal – half a cup
  • Dried bay leaves – 2-3
  • Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon

Put a small amount of the ingredients above into your food blender and grind them. It’s important to ensure that the bay leaves are finely ground so that it mixes well with the rest of the powders.

dog lying on clean carpet

Leave the powder on overnight or for a few hours, at least; vacuum thoroughly thereafter.

WARNING!

Do not allow your kids and/or pets to go near the carpet when there is a cleaner left to sit, especially if borax is being used as it can be dangerous if ingested.

What Are The Best Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solutions? Our Picks Ranked.

When it comes to getting out stains from carpet, the type of stain you are dealing with will dictate the type of carpet cleaner required for effective removal. With that said, some homemade carpet cleaners can be used for removing stains and different types of dirt, and therefore, are worth learning/saving for when you suddenly need them.

Today, we explain each of homemade carpet cleaner recipes and make homemade carpet cleaner and homemade carpet stain remover for both wet and dry stains. Read on.

#1 Baking Soda

Depending on the carpet time the severity of the stain, baking soda can be used, or to simply pre-treat the entire carpet time the affected area so that new stain on it is easier to remove with a follow up carpet cleaner.

For wet carpet stains like blood, urine, vomit, or pet stains, use baking soda to remove odor and freshen the carpet. First, wear rubber gloves and remove solid debris. Blot the stain with paper towels to absorb liquid, avoiding rubbing. Then, apply baking soda evenly over the stain, pressing it in with a clean cloth. Let it sit to absorb liquid and discoloration. Once dry, vacuum thoroughly. For mild stains, use homemade carpet cleaners; for larger or more visible pet stains only, try alternative DIY stain removers.

Recommended For:

Wet carpet stains including biological matter such as blood, urine, pet stains, pet urine, vomit, etc.

Here are the steps to follow when using baking soda to remove fresh carpet stains:

  1. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, and remove any solid debris by picking it up with paper towels or a dry cloth.
  2. Soak up as much liquid from the stain using paper towels to blot the area. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing of any kind as this will push the stain further into the carpet, or spread it.
  3. Cover the stain with an even layer of baking soda; dab it into the carpet with a clean cloth or paper towel.
  4. Leave it to sit and absorb the liquid and discoloration.
  5. When the powder is completely dry, vacuum over it thoroughly, and observe the stained area. If needed, use one of the homemade carpet cleaners shared above (for mild stains), or an alternative DIY carpet stain remover (for large or very visible stains).

#2 Ammonia and Water

Household ammonia is commonly used for cleaning due to its ability to break down grime. Often used to remove oil and treat stains, the product is also preferred for cleaning glass surfaces as it evaporates quickly, thereby reducing the streaks.

WARNING!

First things first; NEVER mix ammonia with bleach as, together, they emit hazardous fumes. Secondly, when using household ammonia for carpet cleaning or other purposes, the space, house or room should be airy and well-ventilated with all the windows opened. Lastly, ammonia can cause skin and eye irritation so it is important to wear gloves and full-length clothing, as well as protective eyewear in case of accidental splashes.

For common or dry/stubborn stains, use a homemade ammonia-water carpet cleaner. Mix 2 liters of mildly warm water with 1 cup of ammonia in a bucket. Dip a clean sponge in the mixture, squeeze out excess water, and dab the stain, starting from the outline and working inward. Rinse the sponge periodically and avoid saturating the area. If needed, repeat the process after the carpet dries.

Recommended For:

Common stains, Dry or stubborn stains.

Follow the steps below to clean with a homemade ammonia-water homemade carpet cleaner:

  1. In a bucket, pour in 2 liters (½ gallon) of mildly warm water, and add 1 cup of ammonia; stir well to combine. 
  2. Dip a clean sponge in the mixture, and squeeze out the excess water. Use this to dab and lift the stain, ensuring to rinse the sponge periodically before dampening it in the solution again. 
  3. Avoid blotting outside the boundary of the stain; instead, start from the outline, and work your way to the middle. It’s also important to avoid saturating the area, however, if this happens, use paper towels to soak up the moisture before continuing the cleaning process. 
  4. If the entire stain has not come out, allow the carpet to dry completely and repeat the steps above.

#3 Dishwashing Liquid-Water as DIY Carpet Cleaners

close up of upholstery and area rug

As simple as it sounds, a soapy solution of regular dish soap and cold or hot water really can work without too much trouble. An important factor to remember here is that the faster you act, commercial cleaner, or hot water the more effective this stain remover will be happy solution work in cleaning new stain up.

Recommended For:

Food, oil spills hot water, greasy stains, and greasy stains.

To spot clean or remove oil stains with dishwashing liquid, follow the instructions below:

  1. Combine 2 cups of cold water with 2-3 teaspoons of grease-fighting liquid dish detergent.
  2. After stirring the cold water to create a soapy-sudsy solution, dip and wring a clean cloth in it, and begin dabbing at the stain using minimal pressure. 
  3. As the stain starts to lift from the carpet, switch to a clean side of the cloth, or a fresh one altogether. A good tip is to use paper towels to soak up excess moisture between blotting as this will also help to absorb color from the stain.
  4. When you are satisfied with the result, rinse off the soapy solution from the carpet using a clean, damp cloth. 
  5. Finish off by blotting the area with paper towels, and allow the carpet to air-dry.

#4 Hydrogen Peroxide-Cream of Tartar/Non-Gel Toothpaste

Due to its mild bleaching properties, hydrogen peroxide is effective in removing stains and getting out stains from carpets and fabrics. With that said, it can be slightly harsh on natural carpet fibers which is why we advise using the product on synthetic carpets only (after performing a spot test, of course).

Recommended For:

Old stains, pet accidents

Follow the simple steps below to remove old, set-in carpet stains using homemade cleaners:

  1. Purchase 3% hydrogen peroxide, measure a teaspoon of the liquid, and add it to a small bowl. Mix in either a small amount of non-gel toothpaste or cream of tartar. Use a teaspoon to stir and blend the mixture well. 
  2. Using a clean, white cloth, apply the mixture to the old stain, and dab it in repeatedly.
  3. Fold the cloth and use a clean side to continue blotting the stain until it comes out.
  4. Grab another clean cloth, dampen it with plain hot water, and gently wipe the area to remove the carpet cleaning solution.
  5. If needed, repeat the cleaning mixture steps above after the carpet has dried

Important Tips to Keep in Mind:

close up of area rugWhether you’re using a store rented carpet cleaning machine, a homemade carpet cleaner, or a store-bought product, there are a few things you must know that will aid in achieving the best and safest results for a clean carpet. Take a look below:

  • Treat stains immediately. The last thing you want is for a carpet stain to sink further into the fabric and set in; this makes it harder to remove. By treating stains as soon as they occur, your chances of getting them out are that much higher.
  • Never scrub or rub carpet. Always dab or blot the stain as this helps to lift it while scrubbing or rubbing generally spreads the stain further.
  • Avoid direct application. When a cleaning solution is applied directly, it tends to saturate the carpet as opposed to using a cloth or sponge for the application.
  • Don’t use excess cleaner. When you overuse a cleaning solution, you end up soaking the carpet which is not only potentially damaging to the fibers, but also makes it harder to remove. Even worse, residue from cleaning solutions attract more dirt and bacteria, leaving you with a darker stain over the course of time.
  • Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning carpets. As we mentioned earlier, different types of carpet fibers require specific cleaning methods that ensure safe and effective results. You can find these special cleaning guidelines on care tags or on the manufacturer’s website.

CONCLUSION:

Many believe that cleaning a carpet or removing carpet stains is only effective with the use of commercial products. While the severity of the stain, condition of the carpet, and type of carpet fibers in question all dictate the type of cleaning solution required, there are plenty of DIY solutions that effectively clean, freshen up, and revitalize your carpet! Today, we have shared some of the best homemade carpet cleaning solutions out there, including tried and tested natural carpet stain removers. They are as easy to make as they are to use, so we are sure that you will have no trouble in cleaning and maintaining your carpets from here on out!