If you have messy kids or pets, chances are your carpets are not as clean as they once were. Since your carpet is one of the most-used surfaces in your home, it is probably full of dirt, debris, old food, sand, and other particles that can build up between carpet fibers, causing allergies and harmful bacteria to grow. However, you don’t have to live with carpet stains! You can make a great working homemade carpet cleaner from products you already have in your home. Although you will still want to rent a carpet shampoo machine to work this solution into your carpet, you won’t have to buy the accompanying solution, thus saving you a bit of cash. Bonus: it smells great!

Here is what you will need to make your very own stain-busting carpet cleaner:

• Hot water
• 2 Tbs. liquid laundry detergent
• 1 scoop OxiClean
• 1/4 cup all-purpose spray cleaner
• 1 tsp. fabric softener (for added fresh scent)

In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients except the water. Once everything is blended, slowly add in the hot water, but be careful to not make too many bubbles. Mix gently until all of the ingredients are dissolved. Pour mixture into a gallon-sized jug. Use this solution with your carpet cleaner.

If you are looking for something more natural and non-toxic, you can give this vinegar and water recipe a shot! Although it may not work as nicely as the first recipe, it’s sure to do the trick and keep the toxins out of your environment.

Mix equal parts vinegar to water. Add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil (eucalyptus and tea tree oils are great for anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, and they smell great, too). Add this solution to your carpet cleaner and shampoo. It will smell like vinegar, but once the solution dries, that smell will dissipate. This solution is best done on lighter-colored carpets, as if you’re not careful with your ratios, due to vinegar’s acidic qualities, it could lighten darker carpet colors.

If you live in the Winter Haven, Florida area and need a little extra help getting your carpet stains out, call us at Floor Restore & More today. Our expert carpet cleaners will help you get out even the toughest stains and have you back lounging on your carpet in no time.