If you thought you needed to use harsh chemical cleaners to keep your home clean and free of germs, you will be happy to learn that there are green solutions for nearly any cleaning job. That includes removing carpet stains, too. Makers of commercial carpet cleaning products would like you to believe otherwise, but the truth is, you can keep your carpet clean and fresh with green products. Try these earth-friendly options for cleaning stains on your carpet instead of reaching for commercial cleaners filled with harsh chemicals.
Vinegar: No collection of green home remedies for cleaning is complete without trusty distilled white vinegar. Vinegar removes stains, breaks down grease and eliminates odors too, making it a logical solution for cleaning carpets. Try these remedies to your carpet woes using vinegar.
- Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 1/2-cup of vinegar and apply it to stains on the carpet. Let the area dry completely and vacuum it away. This works well for light colored stains.
- For dark stains you will need to add 2 tablespoons of borax to the salt and vinegar solution.
- For those stubborn stains, mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch together to form a thick paste. Apply it to the stain with a soft cloth and allow it to sit for 48 hours to work its magic. Vacuum thoroughly to remove the cornstarch.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch is known for its ability to absorb moisture, including grease and oil. Here's how to use cornstarch to solve your carpet-cleaning problems.
- Cover grease and oil stains with cornstarch and allow it to sit for 2 to 3 hours and then vacuum it away.
- Make a paste from cornstarch and milk and apply it to ink stains in the carpet. Let it sit for several hours before vacuuming up the cornstarch residue.
Baking Soda: Like vinegar, baking soda has a reputation for being and effective green cleaning solution. It is known to cut through grease, lighten stubborn stains and eliminate odors. Try these tricks for using baking soda to remove stains in your carpet.
- Apply baking soda directly to urine and vomit stains after removing as much as you can from the area by blotting with paper towels. Sprinkle the baking soda liberally over the area. Allow it to sit until the baking soda has dried and vacuum the residue from the area. The baking soda will leave the carpet clean and deodorized.
- Mix equal parts baking soda and salt to create a quick cleaning solution for grease or oil spills on the carpet. Work the powder into the stain with an old toothbrush or scrub brush and let it dry. Leave the mixture over the stain for several hours before vacuuming up the powder
Club Soda: Club soda has a reputation for removing wine stains on clothing, but it can also be used to remove pet, coffee and tea stains from the carpet. Keep club soda on hand for a quick solution to removing stubborn stains on your carpet.
- Pour club soda over the stain and blot it with a paper towel or soft cloth. Do not rub or scrub as this may cause the stain to spread.
Some carpet stains are harder to remove than others. You may need to repeat the procedure or combine more than one solution to remove the stain completely. Because you are using natural solutions free of chemicals to clean your carpet, there is no danger of chemical reactions if you use more than one solution. Before trying to remove stains from your carpet, test the solution in an inconspicuous area first. While these home remedies are typically safe for carpets, not all carpets are the same.
For more assistance, contact a company like Southwest Chem-Dry.
