DIY Carpet Cleaner: How to Make Carpet Cleaner in 5 Simple Steps

A spill on the carpet can be a nightmare to deal with.

If you don't act fast the stain could set. If you don't use the right cleaning methods the mess could get worse. And if it's in the middle of the floor, it's not something you can cover up or hide easily.

But what if you don't have any store-bought carpet cleaner to hand? This is even more of a drama!

Fear not! We have some tips for DIY carpet cleaners sure to help you scrub out that nasty stain!

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DIY Carpet Cleaner in 5 Easy Steps

Follow this method to treat your carpet before the spill sets.

You'll be sure to tackle the stain as best as possible by going through steps 1-5 below.

1. Brush It Away

This first step is dependent on the kind of mark that has been left on your carpet.

If it's a minor mark - dirt or grime rather than something "messy" - try clearing it up with a carpet brush. Anything from dried mud, food crumbs, sand, lint, fluff or dust, can all be potentially removed without having to scrub a solution into the carpet.

Using a proper brush for this, the grime can be easily swept away with minimal effort. A vacuum cleaner can of course be used for this too - although not for anything too chunky.

If using a brush, sweep it enough times that the mark is gone. If anything residual remains, try the vacuum cleaner.

2. Whip Up Some DIY Carpet Cleaner

There are several homemade concoctions to try out on a stained carpet.

Some of the best treatments are as follows:

Baking Powder Carpet Cleaner
Using a powder is a gentler way to treat a stain on a carpeted area.

Take a small bowl and add 1 cup of baking powder to 1 cup of corn starch. To enhance the scent of this treatment, add crushed bay leaves or potpourri or dried lavender.

Window Cleaner
The thought of taking to your carpets with window cleaner may seem odd, but it's very effective on these stains.

Mixing this with hot water can help lift nasty stains from carpet and upholstery. Make a solution of equal parts water and window cleaner for this method.

Clean and Condition
Use 2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent with 1/4 cup of liquid all-purpose cleaner, as well as 1 teaspoon of fabric softener and a scoop of OxiClean or similar.

Dissolve this in a gallon of hot water. This will add a fresh, hygienic, and sweet-smelling finish to your carpet.

Salt, Oil, and Vinegar
For a deliciously simple method, head to the kitchen and round up these non-toxic ingredients.

In 2 cups of warm water mix 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of salt, and several drops of essential oil, such as pine, juniper, lemon, or lavender.

For something a tad stronger, add ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to this. But use gloves and keep children and pets well away.

Application
To apply your mixture, do a spot test first. Find a space on the carpet that is usually hidden and test out the solution to ensure there are no major issues.

Simply dab a bit into the floor, leave for 10 minutes, scrub and inspect.

If this works fine, apply a larger amount to the stain you wish to treat. Cover the stain and dab it slightly with a cloth.

Leave this for around 10 minutes and then return to it. Scrub it dry. The stain should have disintegrated.

3. Iron Treatment

A little-known fact about DIY carpet cleaning is that you can actually try tackling the problem using an iron.

If you're still dealing with a tricky stain, add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to 1 cup of hot water and use this to saturate the carpet mark. Get an old towel and soak this in hot water, placing it on top of the stain. 

On medium heat, use the iron on the towel and move it across the area for around 15 seconds. Do this for as many times as required before the stain is transferred from the carpet to the towel.

With dry paper towels, blot the residue from the carpet.

4. Post-Treatment Vacuum

Vacuuming the carpet after treating it with one of the above solutions gives the floor an extra chance at eradicating the stain.

If using a powdered substance, the vacuum will suck up the powder, helping to lighten the stain.

Similarly, with a wet treatment, the sucking helps to make the carpet lighter again. Its suction gives the process that extra boost of removal power to hoover up the dirt on the floor.

It's best if you can do this with a hand-held vacuum or attachment. Sometimes attachments with brushes on them are extra-effective too.

Leave the stain for 5-10 minutes so that it is not too wet. Electronics and liquid don't mix! Then go over the area in smooth uniform motions, whilst applying a little pressure across the stain.

5. Air Out the Room

The more ventilated the room, the quicker the carpet will dry. This means the treated stain will also dry a lot quicker, resulting in a more effective stain removal process.

This is easy: Open the doors and windows and allow air to circulate across the carpet.

If you have an electric fan, switching this on. Aim it at the area of carpet you have treated.

Not only does this speed up the process of drying and disallowing a stain to set, it also removes any danger of mold forming. It stops a musty smell from lingering and will breeze out any residual muck.

DIY Carpet Cleaner and Much More

We don't just have tips for DIY carpet cleaner; we offer solutions to everything from tiling, upholstery, odor control, pressure washing, and even cleaning solar panels.

Everyone likes a sparkling clean, hygienic home. And this kind of care is even more relevant in today's world climate.

We are confident in what we do, so feel free to contact us for more information.

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