Our carpet is a large part of our household, so when the carpet looks clean the rest of the house seems to sparkle just a little brighter. Unfortunately, the carpet is also where a lot of the spills and dirt seem to end up. The good news is that many of the stains you find on your carpet can be cleaned up in a jiffy with normal household products that we all generally have on hand. Before using any type of cleaner, even homemade carpet cleaners on your carpet, make sure you test for colorfastness on a small area of your carpet that is normally hidden from view. If you have the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for your carpet, read these over as well before attacking any of your stains with homemade carpet cleaners. One of the biggest advantages to homemade carpet cleaners is that you know exactly what you are putting on your floor, unlike the chemical compounds you may encounter with commercial cleaners. And you might be surprised to learn that something as simple as white vinegar might be able to handle a tough job just as well as the commercial big boys, as long as you get to that stain quickly.



Homemade Carpet Cleaners You Probably Have On Hand

Two items that you can keep on hand that make effective homemade carpet cleaners are white vinegar and ammonia. Detergent is also essential for these solutions, but if you wash clothing regularly, it should be a given that detergent is in your cleaning cabinet! A solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar to detergent solution will work wonders at removing alcohol, coffee, chewing gum or shoe polish. Scrape lightly at the excess with a dull knife, then spray the vinegar solution and work from the outside of the stain in. Make sure you blot the spot completely dry when you are finished. Another good homemade carpet cleaner is made with one teaspoon of ammonia to one cup of water. This solution is good for really stubborn stains, such as blood, chocolate or glue. You can follow up both of these procedures with a solution of four parts water to one part vinegar. Spray the spot where the stain was and continue blotting the spot with dry, clean white paper towel until the carpet is completely dry.

When using any homemade carpet cleaning solution, always remember to scrape up solid spills and blot up liquids. Never rub the stain since this can cause damage to your carpet fibers. And always, always make sure that your carpet is completely dry before leaving the stain alone. In the event that your homemade carpet cleaner does not take out the stain to your satisfaction, you will pave a smooth way for a professional to come in a finish the job by following these simple procedures.