Easy DIY Carpet Cleaning Solutions You Can Make At Home

While there are eco-friendly carpet cleaning products you can buy, we always advocate for keeping things simple and sustainable, and sometimes the best way to achieve both is to just make your own (if you have the time to do so, of course!).

And you should, because these can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Whether you need a more gentle cleaner and deodorizer with a baking soda formulation or something to tackle tough stains and odors using the power of vinegar.

These easy homemade carpet cleaners—for machines and manual spot cleaning alike—can help freshen up your floor using simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.

This DIY carpet shampoo works well for deodorizing and lifting light stains. So it’s good to keep this on hand for when you need to perform regular spot cleans (but it can also be used as a carpet cleaning solution for machines, no problem), say for accidental spills and splatter.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup white vinegar: A natural deodorizer and stain remover.
• 1 tablespoon dish soap or castile soap: Lifts dirt and grease while being gentle on carpets.
• 1 tablespoon baking soda: Neutralizes odors and helps loosen stubborn stains.
• 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional): We find lavender or lemon the best for added freshness.
• 2 cups warm water: Provides the right consistency for application.

Instructions:

1. In a bowl or container, mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
2. For spot cleaning, dip a clean cloth or sponge into the solution, then gently blot the stain. Avoid scrubbing to prevent damaging the carpet fibers. For stubborn stains, sprinkle a bit of extra baking soda directly onto the carpet before applying the solution.
3. Once the stain is treated, rinse the area with clean water to remove any residue.
4. Blot dry with a clean towel or let it air dry completely.

If you’re using this DIY carpet cleaner solution for machines (like a Bissell or Green Machine), just add the mixture to your machine’s solution tank and voilà.

While the carpet cleaning recipe above is good for regular maintenance and spot cleaning, this solution is better suited for tackling deep-set stains and odors—especially if you have pet accidents—when you really want to give your sustainable rugs a refresh.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup white vinegar: Breaks down stains and neutralizes odors.
• 1 tablespoon dish soap or castile soap: Helps lift grime.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Acts as a mild abrasive to loosen stubborn stains.
• 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional): We love lavender or lemon for added freshness, or tea tree for antibacterial benefits.
• 2 cups warm water: Provides a base for the solution.

Instructions:

1. Mix vinegar, dish soap, and salt in a bowl or spray bottle. Add the warm water and combine thoroughly, stirring until the salt dissolves.
2. Apply the solution directly to the stain with a sponge or spray bottle.
3. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to break down the stain.
4. Scrub gently with a cloth or brush, then rinse with clean water.
5. Blot dry or let the area air dry completely.

While this is also an effective DIY carpet cleaning solution for machines it’s extra important to ensure the salt is fully dissolved so you don’t clog your machine. We suggest mixing the solution in a separate container before adding it to your machine’s tank.

One of the major benefits of taking the time to create your own DIY carpet cleaner is the money you’ll save compared to buying a conventional carpet cleaner. To give you an idea, we’ve done a bit of math below with a breakdown of the costs of our two homemade options versus the average price of a store-bought product.

1. Baking Soda-Based Homemade Carpet Shampoo (costs):

• White Vinegar: $2.50 for 128 oz bottle
• Dish Soap: $3.50 for 16 oz bottle
• Baking Soda: $1.00 for 16 oz bottle
• Essential Oil (Optional): $10.00 for 300 drop bottle

Cost per Batch:

• 1/4 cup (2 oz) White Vinegar is $$0.04$
• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz) Dish Soap is $$0.11$
• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz) Baking Soda is $$0.03$
• Optional 10 drops Essential Oil is $$0.33$

Total Cost per Batch: $0.04 + $0.11 + $0.03 + $0.33 (optional) = $0.51 ($0.18 without essential oil)

2. Vinegar and Salt DIY Carpet Cleaning Solution (costs):

• White Vinegar: $2.50 for 128 oz
• Dish Soap: $3.50 for 16 oz
• Salt: $1.00 for 26 oz
• Essential Oil (Optional): $10.00 for 300 drops

Cost per Batch:

• 1/4 cup (2 oz) White Vinegar is $$0.04$
• 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz) Dish Soap is $$0.11$
• 1 teaspoon (0.2 oz) Salt is $$0.01$
• Optional 10 drops Essential Oil is $$0.33$

Total Cost per Batch: $0.04 + $0.11 + $0.01 + $0.33 (optional) = $0.49 ($0.16 without essential oil)

3. Store-Bought Carpet Cleaner

The average cost of a commercial store bought cleaner is about $20.00 for a 64 oz bottle.

Cost per Use: Assuming 3 oz is used per cleaning (which is usually diluted in water) that will cost you $0.94 per use.

So looking at the numbers, if you switch to making your own carpet cleaning solution instead of using a store-bought cleaner, you can save approximately $25 per year while also using natural, chemical-free ingredients. And if you left out the essential oils (which are the most expensive ingredient in thes natural cleaning recipes), then you’re looking at a savings of $39-$40 per year.

To maximize the efficiency of these homemade cleaning products so you can keep your non-toxic carpet spotless, but be sure to follow these tips.

• Act fast on stains: The sooner you treat a spill or stain, the easier it will be to remove.
• Test a small area first: Always test your solution on a hidden section of carpet to ensure it won’t cause discoloration.
• Vacuum first: Before cleaning, vacuum the carpet to remove loose dirt and debris which would avoid creating further mess.
• Avoid over-wetting: Use only as much solution as necessary to avoid soaking your carpet. No one likes mold or mildew.