How to Make a DIY Carpet Cleaner [4 Great Options]

There are few things more fabulous than the smell and feel of a brand new carpet. It makes you want just to lay there and daydream. On the opposite side, there are few things worse than the smell and feel of an old dirty carpet.

No matter how often you vacuum or shampoo your carpet, those little pesky stains are going to happen. There are so many things in our daily life that dirty a rug whether it be, kids coming in from outside, muddy pets, dirty work boots, or guests who leave their shoes on – It’s impossible to keep your carpet perfectly clean.

We’re going to cover a few affordable and environmentally friendly DIY carpet cleaners that you can make with everyday household items. These cleaners are also more comfortable in your lungs and smell great too.

Here are the best ways to make a DIY carpet cleaner:

1. All Purpose Cleaning Recipe

This carpet cleaning recipe will work for any carpet type, and it doesn’t contain any of the harmful ingredients in store-bought cleaners. This recipe is affordable and simple to make.

Here’s what you need:

• Two cups of hydrogen peroxide
• One teaspoon of dish soap
• Two tablespoons of ammonia
• A few drops of sweet-smelling essential oils

Fill a large reusable container like a milk jug with the cleaning ingredients and fill the rest with warm water and shake it up. You can use this mixture in a spray bottle for small stains or add it to your carpet shampooer for large jobs.

2. Homemade Mr. Clean

If you are a fan of the citrus smelling cleaners, this is the recipe for you.  This blend has the ingredients to break down tough stains and leave your carpet or upholstery smelling great.  Plus, it doesn’t contain any of the harsh chemicals that damage your carpet and put your family and pets at risk.

Here’s what you need:

• One Liter of water
• Seven tablespoons of brown sugar
• One and a half cups of orange peels
• Add the solid ingredients to a reusable container and add the water to the top of it.
• Shake to blend everything. Before you store this mixture, you need to loosen the cap, so the gases inside do not cause the container to explode.
• Let the cleaner rest for one to two months. Once it’s ready, you can use it to clean standard household stains.

3. Synthetic Carpet Solution

Most of the household carpeting you see is synthetic. This carpeting lasts long and is affordable, so it’s popular with many people. This type of carpeting is also durable; it’s always easy to clean and does not require a ton of maintenance. The fibers of this kind of carpet are very coarse and not plush.

Here’s what you need for this DIY carpet cleaner:

• A half-gallon of white vinegar
• A half-gallon of warm water

Mix the two in a large container and either spray it directly onto a stain or add it to your carpet shampooer. This mixture works well on upholstery as well.

If you want the mixture to smell better you can always add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, just be careful when spraying it on upholstery or adding it to the carpet shampooer. Make sure the essential oil is not too harsh.

4. DIY Pet Odor Spray

A carpets biggest enemy is household pets, that’s why it’s essential to have a reliable cleaner on hand whenever you need it. Keeping up with messy animals can also get expensive, so it helps to have a cheaper solution to frequently use on little stains and save the pricey cleaners for the big messes.

Here’s what you need to freshen up after your pets:

• Four tablespoons of baking soda
• Two cups of warm water
• 2 cups of white vinegar

Mix these ingredients and put them in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to your desired area and blot with a cloth or paper towel. This blend of neutralize odors and remove stains like urine and mud.

If you own a pet you should consider obtaining a carpet cleaner machine that is focused on pet stains. We recently tried to find the best pet carpet shampooer of 2021. That post might guide you in the right direction.

That’s just a few recipes to make a DIY carpet cleaner to keep your carpets fresh and clean. Using these techniques, you should have no problem keeping up with the messes of daily life.  Carpets are naturally prone to attract dirt and odors but keeping them clean doesn’t have to break the bank. 

These four cleaners are cheap to make, are environmentally friendly, and are safe for your kids and pets.