Edit ArticleHow to Make a Carpet Cleaning Solution Eight Methods:Detergent based cleaning solutionHousehold cleaner based cleaning solutionLaundry detergent based cleaning solutionPowdered detergent cleaning solutionWindow cleaner based cleaning solution in a machineWindex spray (window cleaner), non-machineSpot removersDry cleaning solutionCommunity Q&A Carpets and rugs can be a challenge to clean and remove stains. Professional carpet cleaning services can be expensive and difficult to work in to your schedule. Renting a carpet cleaning machine is a bit more economical, but you also have to purchase the shampoo to put in them. You can make your own carpet cleaner, however, one that can be used in most rented machines, in your own carpet cleaning machine or with just a bucket and a sponge. You can clean the whole carpet, high traffic areas or just remove spots or stains. Choose a cleaner according to what you have available in the house. Mix a solution of clear liquid dish detergent to warm water.

Begin with 1/4 tsp. (1.25 ml) of detergent to 1 cup (236 ml) of warm water for a basic clean with little residue. If you need more than this, increase using these measurements until you have the desired amount.This can be used in a carpet cleaning machine or scrubbed into the carpet with a rag or sponge mop. Vacuum any residue after the carpet is dry. Make a carpet cleaning recipe using 1/2 cup (118 ml) of an all-purpose household cleaner (with no bleach), 1/2 cup (118 ml) of fabric softener, 1 cup (236 ml) of ammonia and 1 gallon (3785 ml) of warm water.This solution cleans and softens your carpet. It can be used in a carpet cleaning machine or scrubbed into the carpet with a rag or sponge mop. Vacuum up the residue after the carpet dries. Mix 1 part dry laundry detergent and 10 parts warm water. Add to a carpet cleaning machine. Vacuum the residue when the carpet is dry. Mix together 1/2 cup of powdered detergent, 1 teaspoon of ammonia and a quart (946ml) of warm water in a bowl.

[1] Stir frequently to create a froth. Use the froth to gently rub across the whole carpet using a sponge or clean cloth.best way to get rid of vomit smell in carpet Allow the carpet to dry.best steamer for sofa Use equal parts window cleaner and warm water and add to a carpet cleaning machine.best carpet stain remover for steam cleaner Test the carpet gingerly with Windex. Spray Windex on the stain. Let the Windex sit for 5 minutes or so. Wipe away with cold, wet cloth or paper towel. Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda until it forms a thick paste. Dilute with warm water until the mixture becomes a thin liquid and then scrub it into the stain using an old toothbrush or sponge.

Pour club soda directly onto the stain and allow it to sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Then scrub with an old toothbrush or sponge. Stir 1/2 lb. (225 mg) of baking powder and 3 to 4 oz. (88 to 118 ml) of corn flour together. Crumble in some dried bay leaves and a handful of potpourri for fragrance. Shake the ingredients in a plastic bag or container with a lid until they are well blended. Sprinkle the mixture over the carpet and use a broom to push it further into the carpet fibers. Leave it overnight and vacuum it up in the morning. Do not mix bleach and ammonia which will create a toxic chlorine gas which is highly lethal. Always test any cleaner (especially a homemade one) in a small inconspicuous area first!Scoops OxycleanCup FebrezeOxyclean 1Vinegar SmellVinegar 1White VinegarVinegar CarpetNeeded CleaningCleaning StuffForwardHomemade Carpet Shampoo 1 1/2 scoops Oxyclean 1/4 cup white vinegar 1/4/ cup Febreze (or other generic spray) Mix together with a gallon of hot water and add to machine.

Any vinegar smell will fade away quickly, although my friend didn't notice any smell at all. She said this worked great on dog stains and odors. I would like to rent one of the commercial carpet cleaners, but I have found that the price of the cleaner is outrageous! Does anyone have a recipe for carpet cleaner that can be used in one of those machines you can rent at the grocery store or home improvement store? Or a good commercial carpet cleaning alternative? Millie in Birmingham, AL I've used just about every kind of carpet cleaner solution in my steam cleaner. None of them compare to one simple cheap solution, which is vinegar mixed with water. I use a solution of about 1 to 10 and am amazed at the results every time. It gets rid of spots that come back to the surface and cleans my steam cleaner at the same time. The vinegar smell does stay around until the carpet is completely dry. I usually spray the carpet down with some no-vacuuming foam afterwards while the carpet is still wet and light some candles.

I have three messy children and vinegar works great for me! I use ammonia instead of the commercial carpet cleaner, using the same amount that the instructions say to use of the cleaner. Keep the windows open until the carpet dries. I use the lemon scented kind to help with the smell a little bit, but the odor does go away once the carpet is dry. It does a fabulous job on the carpet, much better than the recommended cleaner. Pretreat especially dirty areas with straight ammonia for even better results. As always, test in an inconspicuous spot first. And be aware that pets could be confused by the ammonia odor and you might end up with a urination problem. However, I have two cats, and I have never had this problem. Red Wine on Carpet photo from Shutterstock I have cleaned my carpets many, many times with those rental machines and I always use Simple Green. It works wonderfully and will make your carpet absolutely new looking. It removes so many tough stains. You can find it at most home improvement type stores and can get a gallon of the stuff for around $10 or less.

First of all, if you clean your carpets regularly (twice a year), the cost of purchasing a carpet cleaner versus renting may be warranted. Second, if you really want to cut costs, don't mind using elbow grease, and want much cleaner carpets, try a mixture of ammonia and water, using a scrub brush. Using a terry cloth, rinse with vinegar and water. This is an excellent way to clean high traffic areas and area rugs. A friend of mine who does professional carpet cleaning told me to use equal amounts of Windex and hot water. I use it in my Bissell carpet cleaner with great results! My 5-year-old carpet is pale beige and still looks brand new even with six kids! Add about 3 teaspoons of clear dishwashing liquid (non moisturizing), 1/4 cup of ammonia, and 1/4 cup of vinegar to a few gallons of water. I've also used 1/2 cup of vinegar to a few gallons of water. Everything comes out great! Cleaning Carpet photo from Shutterstock I have used grocery store rental carpet machines before and have come up with my own "recipe."

Use one scoop of Oxiclean, one cup of generic Fabreeze or one cup of vinegar, and the recommended hot water. The outcome is not only clean, but it also kills all odors. I used this formula on a very used couch that smelled of dirty dogs so bad that I would not even bring it into my home and the outcome was wonderful. Do not worry about using vinegar. Once the vinegar dries, the smell is gone. My sister works for a carpet cleaning company that does commercial buildings. She recommended that I use Tide laundry soap diluted with water in the machine. I did and it worked better than the expensive carpet shampoo. It cleaned better, and it did not foam up, so there was no need for defoamer solution. It smelled really nice and it did not leave a residue on my carpet. Kandi in Newnan, GA I use plain old white distilled vinegar for all of my carpet cleaning. I have a machine that I use on a regular basis for cleaning carpets in my home. With allergies in the house and four dogs as well, this has proven to be a great, inexpensive solution.

Just mix it as you would the regular cleaning solution, and when the carpet dries, there will be no more smell from the vinegar. This works great on most stains. Could spending 5 minutes reading a newsletter twice a week save you time and money every day? Subscribe to Dollar Stretcher Tips and start saving today. I recently read a tip that came from a school custodian. He said to just clean carpets with hot water, no detergent, as the soap only helps collect and hold in more dirt. The solution for the carpet cleaning machines can be very expensive! But we use the cheapest home carpet cleaning solution - hot water! I had a friend who told me that solution is often not needed. The last time I rented the machine, I just used very hot water (the hotter, the better) for cleaning the carpet. For stubborn or set in stains, I use club soda. Just pour generously on the stain and blot up with a dry towel or cloth. It has worked for me every time! My favorite carpet cleaner (and I've used it many times over many years) is hot water and Oxiclean (or one of those types of cleaners).