7 Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Methods
The Natural Way to Deep Clean Your Carpets
If you’re looking for ways to get your carpets squeaky clean without using harsh chemicals, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to walk you through some of my favorite green carpet cleaning ways that really get the job done. Trust me, you don’t need toxic cleaners to get fresh, clean carpets!
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning?
Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to naturally clean your carpets, let’s chat about why you’d want to avoid conventional cleaners in the first place. Here are some of the top reasons to go green when washing your carpets:
- Better for your health: No one wants to breathe in fumes from abrasive chemicals. Eco-friendly cleanings are much safer for your indoor air quality.
- Better for kids & pets: Green ways won’t leave behind dust or residues that could irritate sensitive little paws or hands.
- Cost savings: A lot of DIY can be made with common pantry ingredients you already have at home.
- Environmentally friendly: Natural steps are biodegradable and won’t pollute waterways like conventional can.
Okay, now that we’re on board with green carpet cleaning, let’s get into the good stuff – my favorite recipes and methods.
1. Baking Soda – The MVP of Carpet Cleaning
It is an absolute superstar when it comes to tidying dirty carpets naturally. Here’s how to put it to work:
For Odors and Daily Cleansing:
Simply sprinkle a light coating of leavening agent over areas that need freshening up. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes so it can absorb odors from the carpet fibers. Then, vacuum thoroughly to lift the powder and the odors away.
For Stains:
Make a paste by mixing 3 parts with 1 part liquid. Rub this mixture into any filth using a damp cloth. Let it sit for at least an hour, then rinse with cold water and blot dry. This works great on food, drink, oil, and pet stains.
2. The Power of Vinegar
It makes an excellent natural disinfectant and deodoriser for carpets. Here are two ways to harness its purifying power:
For Deodorising:
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of H2O and white vinegar. Mist over carpet and let sit briefly. This will help remove odors trapped in the fibers. Allow to dry fully before vacuuming.
For Stains:
Mix 1 cup warm water, 1/2 cup sour wine, and 1 tbsp dish soap. Use a sponge dampened with this eco friendly carpet cleaning solution to blot at spots until they lift. Rinse with liquid and pat dry. It works wonders on pet dirt!
3. Borax – A Natural Carpet Cleaner
Like bicarb, borax has magical cleaning powers when it comes to carpets. Here’s how to put it to use:
Combine 3 cups hot water, 1/2 cup borax, and 1/4 cup distilled vinegar in a bottle. Spray directly onto dirty areas of your carpet. Use a scrub brush to work the solution into the fibers and let sit for at least an hour. Then, rinse with clean water and blot dry with a paper towel.
This method really lifts blotches and leaves carpets fresh! Borax works especially well on muddy boot prints.
4. Clean and Freshen with Cornstarch
Here’s an easy carpet freshening trick using cornstarch:
Sprinkle a light dusting of cornstarch across your carpet. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb odors and moisture. The cornstarch will make your vacuum work better by lifting smears out of the fibers. Simply run your vacuum over the carpet to pick up the cornstarch and revive your carpets.
5. Bubbly Carbonated Water
Here’s a fun one – use sparkling water to lift grime and freshen carpets!
Pour it directly onto filthy high-traffic areas of your carpet. The bubbles in the soda will help lift grime from the carpet fibers. Blot with a clean cloth. You can also spray it to freshen carpets and remove odors. Let it dry fully before vacuuming.
6. The Fresh Scent of Lemon
Citrus fruits like lemons contain acids that help break down stubborn stains and brighten carpets. Here are two ways to use them for eco friendly cleaning process:
For Stains:
Slice a lemon in half and rub it directly onto carpet marks. Allow to sit for 10 minutes then rinse with aqua and blot dry. The acids in its juice will help lift blemishes without hazardous chemicals.
For Brightening:
Add the juice from 2 lemons to 1 gallon of liquid in a spray bottle. Mist this over dull, dingy carpet and let sit for 30 minutes before blotting with a towel. This will help brighten the carpet fibres naturally.
It makes an excellent grease-cutting carpet cleaner and leaves behind a fresh citrusy scent. For tough stains, let the juice sit overnight before rinsing.
7. Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaners
If you don’t want to make your own cleaners, look for natural cleaning products made with plant-based ingredients like essential oils and citrus solvents. Stay away from anything with artificial fragrances, dyes, or harmful chemicals like ammonia.
Some good brands to look for are Earth Friendly Products, Seventh Generation, Method, and Biokleen. Always spot test any cleaner first!
When to Call the Pros
While these DIY methods are great for routine maintenance, there may be times when it’s best to call in the professional carpet cleaners. If you have large smudges that just won’t budge or need a deeper, more thorough cleaning, look for a company with green carpet cleaning service that uses environmentally friendly methods and non-toxic cleaners.
Conclusion
There you have it – everything you need to know to clean your carpets effectively and naturally. With a little baking soda, acetic acid solution, detergent and elbow grease, you can get fresh, sanitised carpets without using harsh chemicals.
Give some of these eco-friendly methods a try the next time your carpets need some care. Not only will your home be cleaner, but you’ll feel better knowing you didn’t pollute the planet in the process. Here’s to clean, green, healthy carpets!
