Figuring out how to deep clean a carpet may feel like a daunting task, especially if you want to do it without a machine. Renting those clunky steam cleaners can get pricey over time — and calling in the pros to get the job done will cost even more. Luckily, there’s no need to shell out cash or simply live with all the gunk, stains, and debris that get stuck in the fibers. You can deep clean a carpet yourself with a few clever tips!
The only machine you really need is your regular old vacuum. Combined with a few things you probably already have in your pantry (like baking soda, white vinegar, and salt), you’ll even be able to get old stains out of your carpet with ease. We’re talking wine, coffee, dirt, mud, pasta sauce, and more — all distant memories after following the expert tips we’ve rounded up for you below. (Want a rug you can toss in the washing machine? Check out our story on how to wash a Ruggable rug.)
How can I deep clean my carpet without a machine?
Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers, offers up a method that uses a vacuum cleaner plus baking soda or dish soap. We love this method because you only need one ingredient that you most definitely already have in your kitchen.
Cleaners needed: Baking soda or dish soap
Tools needed: Old toothbrush, brush, clean rag or towel, and bucket
How to deep clean a carpet without a machine:
How do you deep clean a carpet by hand?
Blogger Ali Fields says she relies on her grandmother’s carpet cleaning wisdom. This old school technique requires a few more ingredients than the one above, but it doesn’t only work for spot-cleaning stains. If you have a large enough brush, it’s easy to do an entire room.
Cleaners needed:
- A mixture of water and dish soap
- Some table salt (sea salt, kosher salt — it’s all fine!)
- Some baking soda
Tools needed:
- A stiff-bristled scrubbing brush (the largest you have — rubber works best) and a spray bottle
- A few old rags or terry cloth towels (Using an old shirt you’ve been meaning to get rid of also works)
How to deep clean carpet by hand:
Fields says this method is completely safe to use around children and pets. Plus, instead of smelling like heavy detergents, the carpets will smell like nothing at all!
What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution?
As you may have noticed in the methods above, you don’t have to invest in heavy duty carpet cleaners to give the fibers a good scrub. They often come with harsh chemicals that can be irritating to sensitive skin. Using gentle options like dish soap, baking soda, salt, and regular water all work great.
Meg Roberts, president of Molly Maid, shares a couple more carpet cleaning solutions you probably already have hanging around you house:
- Vinegar: Stir one tablespoon of dish soap into one quart of warm water, then add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar. This is a good overall cleaner. Be sure to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous spot on your carpet before applying it to the stain.
- Club soda: Club soda works as a cleanser when it is spritzed on carpet. It’s great for removing blood and wine stains. Apply a small amount of soda on the stain, then using a dry cloth or a paper towel, blot the surface until the stain is lifted. Rub rather than scrub the carpet fibers.
Related: How to Remove Chocolate Stains From Every Surface in Your Home
The Best Natural Carpet Cleaner
Grabbing a bottle of Castile liquid soap is another amazing way to naturally deep clean your carpet. Dean Davies, a professional carpet- and rug-cleaning technician at Fantastic Services, tells us, “This soap is suitable because it is nontoxic, yet it is powerful enough to remove dirt and other debris.” (Psst: Other uses for Castile soap include keeping yourself, your pets, and your plants clean, too!)
You can wash the carpet using a mixture of warm water and a few drops of Castile soap. Using a clean cloth, scrub the carpet with the solution, and blot the surface using a dry towel to soak up as much water as possible.
Can you clean a rug with snow?
Yes, cleaning with snow is an option during the winter months! As it turns out, the icy white precipitation is actually one of nature’s best cleansers. Who knew?
This cleaning hack works best on smaller rugs that are handmade or antique wool, but you can also clean larger, heavier rugs if you have a few helping hands. Use dry, freshly fallen powdery snow for the best results.
Here’s how to deep clean carpet with snow in five easy steps:
Looking to tackle more cleaning tasks? Check out this article on how to clean cast iron (even when it gets rusty) and how to clean white shoes so that they sparkle again.
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