Let's face it - carpets are a magnet for accidents, be it an accidentally spilled cup of coffee, a mishap with a sharpie or muddy paw prints. Luckily, you can clean your carpet with home remedies using just a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
First determine the type of carpet & DIY cleaning solution
The first step is to determine whether your carpet is made of synthetic or natural fibers. Then follow the guide below to find out which combination of ingredients works best. Then clean your carpet with home remedies by following the instructions step by step.
Choose the appropriate option
For synthetic fibers: To use synthetic carpetsClean with home remedies, dip a white cloth into this DIY carpet cleaner and apply it to the stain. Never pour the solutions directly onto the carpet.
For natural fibers: Place the natural fiber carpet cleaning solutions in spray bottles and spray lightly on the stain.
1. Detergent Carpet Cleaner
- For synthetic carpets: Mix ¼ teaspoon of clear liquid dishwashing detergent into a cup of lukewarm water
- For natural fiber carpets: Mix one teaspoon of clear liquid dish soap into 1 cup of lukewarm water.
2. Vinegar cleaner
- For synthetic carpets: Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water.
- For natural fiber carpets: Mix ¼ cup white vinegar with ¼ cup water.
3. Ammonia Cleaner –For natural fiber carpets only: Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with ½ cup of lukewarm water.
Remove stains from food & drinks
Follow the instructions below to treat wine, ketchup, chocolate, coffee, tea, beer, milk, tomato sauce, berry, candy, juice, soda stains.
Clean synthetic fiber carpet with home remedies
- Dip a white cloth (or white unprinted paper towel) into the homemade synthetic carpet detergent solution and blot repeatedly. Then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait 15 minutes (it will take time for the stain to break down) and then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.
- Dip a cloth into the synthetic carpet vinegar solution and blot repeatedly, then press the cloth onto the area for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes (this is an important step,because white vinegar removesDetergent residue that attracts dirt if left on the carpet).
- Rinse the stain with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait an hour or until the carpet is completely dry. For heavy stains, after step 2, place a 2cm thick stack of white paper towels over the stain and then place a glass baking pan on top for 15 minutes.
- Repeat these steps until the stain is no longer visible.
Clean natural fiber carpet with home remedies
Follow the instructions below to treat beer, coffee and tea stains:
- Spray the stain with the homemade natural fiber carpet detergent solution, then blot it with a dry white cloth.
- Spritz the stain with the natural fiber carpet vinegar solution and then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Spray the stain with a natural fiber carpet detergent solution and then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Treat the stain with lukewarm water and then blot with a dry white cloth.
Notice: Repeat steps 1 to 4,until the stain is removed.
For candies, chocolate, berries, juice, wine, lemonade and milk stains: Follow steps 1 through 5 (above), but before applying the vinegar solution in step 2, spray the stain with the natural fiber carpet ammonia solution and then blot with a dry white cloth.
For stains from ketchup and tomato sauce: Follow steps 1 to 5 (above), but replace the vinegar solution with the ammonia solution in step 2.
How to Treat Pet Accident Stains on Your Carpet
Synthetic fiber carpet withClean with home remedies
- Dip a white cloth into the synthetic carpet detergent solution and blot repeatedly. Then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds.
- Wait 15 minutes and then soak up the excess liquid with a dry white cloth.
- Dip the cloth in a vinegar solution for synthetic carpets, blot it several times, and then press the cloth onto the area for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes.
- Wait an hour or until the carpet is completely dry. If the stain becomes lighter, repeat the first three steps until the stain disappears.
Clean natural fiber carpet with home remedies
- Spray the stain with a natural fiber carpet detergent solution, then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Spray the stain with ammonia solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot with a dry white cloth.
- Treat the stain with a vinegar solution for natural fiber carpets, then blot it with a dry white cloth.
- Reapply the detergent solution and blot with a dry white cloth.
- Spray the stain with lukewarm water and then blot with a dry white cloth.
Your carpet smells musty – what home remedies can you use to freshen it up? Theyou can find out here!