When the world is shifting to a green habit, why not you? Well, you do not have to transform your entire lifestyle to support this movement. But little changes in your daily routine, for example, switching to an eco-friendly home cleaner, are enough.
The available eco-friendly methods for carpet cleaning are,
- Steam cleaning the carpet
- Using vinegar and water
- Adding baking soda to the carpet
- Preparing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture
- Lemon juice in the hydrogen peroxide also works as cleaners
- Applying the commercial green carpet cleaners
Catch more details below.
Top 9 Popular & Effective Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Hacks
I am a big fan of green and eco-friendly cleaning. So, I keep experimenting with different home supplies. Here are the 9 hacks I found helpful in cleaning the carpet,
1. Steam Vapor With Or Without Cleaner
Vapor cleaning the carpet comes with a range of advantages. For example, sanitizing, deodorizing, and killing germs from the bacteria.
But these are not the main attractions. Instead, steam cleaning is popular for effortlessly pulling off the dirt from the carpet, leaving a shiny surface.
Moreover, you need no special ingredient as a cleaning agent. The faucet water is enough to do the magic. Yes, some people prefer adding carpet soap to the water for top-notch cleaning and additional fragrance.
Follow the below steps to steam vapor your carpet,
- Vacuum the carpet beforehand and pre-treat any stubborn stains if necessary.
- Fill the steam cleaner chamber with hot water.
- Add carpet liquid cleaner or vinegar to the water in a 50:50 ratio. (optional)
- Start cleaning from the corner.
- Cover the whole carpet with slow forward and backward movements.
- Refill the water chamber with fresh water if needed.
See, slow strokes with the cleaning device is the key trick here. Allow the carpet fibers to soak the vapor, loosen the dirt, and relax a bit. This way, the steam cleaner kills tiny pests or mites and gives your carpet a new look.
2. Say Yes To Baking Soda!
Baking soda is an excellent eco-friendly carpet cleaning agent. The bicarbonate powder will freshen up the carpet and deodorize it. Moreover, the soda will remove any greasy or non-greasy stains from the carpet.
Unlike harsh chemicals, you can use baking soda as frequently as you want. The right way of carpet cleaning with baking soda is given below,
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove any loose soil and dirt.
- Pre-treat the stains with baking soda powder.
- For non-greasy stains, sprinkle the powder on the spot and cover it with a damp paper towel. Remove the towel after 3 hours and vacuum the area. You will see no trace of any stain.
- The method is similar for greasy stains. Just use a damp washcloth to blot and dab away as much grease as possible before sprinkling the soda.
- Once you remove the stains, focus on cleaning the other parts as well.
- Sprinkle dry baking soda on the carpet and spray cool water to dampen the surface.
- Use a soft brush to scrub the carpet thoroughly.
- Next, wipe off the carpet fibers with a damp washcloth to remove baking soda residues.
- Finally, air-dry the carpet for hours before using it again. You can also vacuum the surface to get rid of any remaining baking soda from the fibers.
Though baking soda is safe for carpets, there is no harm in testing it beforehand. Mix 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of water and sprinkle it on the carpet. Vacuum the area after a while and check whether the color is intact.
Recently, I found a DIY carpet cleaning blend on the internet. It includes,
- Baking soda (2 cups)
- Cornstarch (1/2 cup)
- Cornmeal (1/2 cup)
- Borax (1 tablespoon)
- Cinnamon powder (1 teaspoon)
- Bay leaves (2 or 3)
The cleaning method with this dry powder is the same as before. Though the maximum ingredients in the blend are natural, I have an issue with borax. It is neither eco-friendly nor sustainable. So, it is up to you whether to try this hack on the carpet.
3. Vinegar As Controversial Carpet Cleaner!
Well, you can not deny the wonders vinegar does as a cleaner. But is it suitable for carpet?
Considering its eco-friendly features, vinegar is a favorite cleaning agent for many consumers. However, some internet sources claim vinegar does no good in freshening or deodorizing the carpet. Instead, the ingredient damages the soft carpet fibers.
Honestly, I have used a vinegar (1 part) and water (2 parts) mixture for my carpet several times. Of course, the result was not mind-blowing. But it definitely worked to remove the pesky stains to an extent.
My friends advised me to add salt and essential oil to deodorize the carpet. Also, as per them, including baking soda in the solution offers a more satisfying result.
Solutions with salt, vinegar, and borax are also popular for carpet cleaning. But as mentioned, borax is not an eco-friendly agent. So, try avoiding it as a cleaner.
If you still doubt the effectiveness of vinegar in carpet cleaning, please give this paper a read.
Here is how to clean the carpet with eco-friendly white vinegar,
- Vacuum the carpet and then prepare the cleaning solution.
- Pre-treat the stains by blotting them with a damp towel.
- Spray the mixture on the carpet and allow it to sit for some time. Vinegar will loosen the dirt and kill any germs during this time.
- Next, use a damp washcloth to dab away the residual vinegar from the fiber.
- Finish the cleaning by vacuuming the carpet.
4. Will Lemon Juice Work?
Lemon is slightly acidic and can break down the dirt bond to the surface. So, logically, the lemon squeeze should work on the carpet. Right?
Well, yes. But you can not use the fresh juice directly on the carpet. This will stain the rug, and you may have to adopt another technique to reserve the stain.
The right method to use lemon juice for carpet cleaning is,
- Vacuum the carpet and blot the stubborn stains.
- Pour water and lemon juice at an equal ratio into a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution on the carpet and wait for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Use a damp washcloth to remove the mixture residuals from the carpet.
- Allow the carpet to air dry properly.
5. Why Not Hydrogen Peroxide?
Apparently, hydrogen peroxide is a biodegradable and eco-friendly ingredient. The good news is this element is safe and effective for carpet cleaning. But yes, high concentrations of pure hydrogen peroxide can fade the carpet and stiffen the fibers.
Hence, I advise mixing the peroxide with other ingredients. For example, lemon juice, baking soda, etc.
The cleaning process is simple and quick. Prepare a solution with hydrogen peroxide (2 cups) and baking soda (1 cup) first. Then apply it to the carpet and scrub the surface with a soft, bristled brush.
Rinse the solution with a damp cloth after 30 minutes. Your carpet will be clean and ready for use once air-dried.
Likewise, a few drops of lemon juice in the peroxide will have a similar effect. Additionally, the carpet will have a fresh lemon-like fragrance.
6. Witness The Magic of Cornstarch!
I already gave you the carpet cleaning recipe with cornstarch and baking soda. However, cornstarch alone can also freshen up your dirty carpet. Just sprinkle the powder on the surface and wait 15 – 30 minutes before rinsing the carpet.
You can use the cornstarch to spot cleaning too. The ingredient effortlessly lifts any greasy stains from the carpet.
7. Ice Cubes As Stain Remover
The stains of chewing gum or wax are difficult to remove from the carpet fibers. In such a scenario, ice cubes can be of your help.
Letting the cube melt on the spot will loosen the stain. You can dab away the wax or gum later with a damp towel or a scrubber.
8. Is Carbonated Water An Option?
The conversations on carbonated water related to carbon dioxide are real. But luckily, the amount of carbon dioxide emission has not been significant. So, carbonated soda or water is still considered green.
To clean your carpet, pour the carbonated water on the surface and wait. Later, use a towel to pat the carpet dry.
9. What About Green Commercial Products?
Green carpet shampoo, detergent, dishwasher, liquid soap, fabric softener, etc., are possible options. These green solutions are eco-friendly and less harmful to human health. Check the safer choice label or green logo on the products before purchase.
Why Eco-Friendly Cleaner For The Carpet?
Our regular home cleaning supplies, aerosols, dishwasher, detergent, fabric softener, etc., often include toxic and harmful ingredients. Inhaling these chemicals increases the risk of respiratory damage, headache, asthma, skin irritation, and even cancer.
Again, you will often find your kids playing on the carpet. Using a non-green cleaner on the fabric will expose the children to harsh chemicals.
Hence, switching to green products is always safer. Buying eco-friendly carpet cleaning solutions may be a little expensive. But alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, cornstarch, etc., are always cheap.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly carpet cleaning methods are effective, and at the same time, it is safe for all of us. To freshen up the carpet, you can experiment with baking soda, white vinegar, steam cleaner, or hydrogen peroxide. If you find these DIY solutions ineffective, use a green cleaner or call a carpet cleaning service.
