Homemade Carpet Shampoo, Et cetera

[paul]

I am curious to know if anyone has ever tried a homemade carpet shampoo--either for spot removal or for entire cleaning with a machine. Please let us know if you'd recommend it or not. If so, let us know your recipe and if it could be used.

I'm always looking for ways to simplify and go greener by using less commercial cleaners. I understand that vinegar and baking soda can handle many household cleaning jobs effectively.

Check out this link on various homemade cleaners which inspired this thread:

http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/classic-cleaners-00100000099408/index.html

 

[tig21er]

unless you

you know what ph is and how to use it for spot and stain removal, and carpet cleaning I would stick to what is designed for your needs.

 

[ultralux88]

Agreed, home made detergents and shampoos usually end up not working or if they work working very poorly. There is a very complex science behind proper carpet cleaning and proper chemical choices and amounts for ding it. Carpet has a specific ph level important to maintaining a degree of soil resistance, it's a very easily messed up thing with disparaging consequences. If you screw it up your carpet can get badly stained with ease. Commercially available products are made taking this into consideration. Also only use chemicals made for carpet. I know people who like to use laundry detergent or kitchen degreasers or other things. They aren't made to clean carpet and shouldn't be used to do so. If you want your carpet to look good and last don't try homemade disasters, I am saying this to be of help. If you want a really effective line of cleaners look into either Simplicity or Riccar cleaners. They have spot removers, pet spot removers, dry cleaning powder and even extractor detergent that won't leave residue. Any of the cleaner left behind encapsulates into a salt crystal as it dries which is easily vacuumed up. I won't use another brand of chemicals myself.