By Karrie on | Updated | 19 Comments
Well,hello there fellow cheapskate. I’m here to solve your problem with finding an inexpensive, easy to make homemade all natural carpet cleaner solution for your carpet shampooer machine.
Becauseyou and I.. we are like-minded in a lot of ways.
We both HATE spending like $20+ dollars on that bottle of rug doctorconcentrate carpet cleaner stuff, but really do want to have nice smelling carpets. Oh the struggle is real, right?
Well… I actually have TWO homemade carpet cleaning recipes on this here blog.
This all natural carpet cleaner solution recipe in this post. And my all-time favorite (although not-all-natural) homemade carpet cleaner recipe here. Both work great but in all honesty, I do prefer my other one more just because it’s so powerful at getting the stains out.
What I love about this recipe is I always have the ingredients on hand. So when I’m too tired to run to the store when I’m out of ingredients for my other recipe I turn to this recipe!
Homemade All Natural Carpet Cleaner Solution Recipe
This Non-toxic homemade all natural carpet cleaner solution uses only vinegar, water and essential oils but cleans deeply leaving your carpets fresh.
4.67 from 18 votes
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Author: Karrie
Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon vinegar
- 1/2 gallon hot water
- 5 drops essential oils optional
Instructions
MAKING THE SOLUTION
In a large bowl or pitcher, combine the vinegar, hot water and essential oils, stirring until well combined.
HOW TO USE SOLUTION
Before you begin cleaning, make sure that your carpet has been thoroughly vacuumed.
Fill machine reservoir with this solution.
Test this homemade carpet cleaner on a less visible area of flooring to make sure it's safe for your carpet and wait at least 24 hours for the test spot to dry to see the results.
Then you can run the machine over your entire carpet, making sure to show special attention to stains or spots. Wait least 24 hours for the carpet to dry and you're done!
This recipe will clean your carpets very well and can get some powerful stains out too. But I will warn you, it will smell like vinegar pretty strongly while you are shampooing the carpets. But after it dries you will be left with a nice clean smelling house and no vinegar smells.
Happy saving money friends!
OTHER GREAT DIY CLEANING RECIPES
- Best EVER Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
- DIY Carpet Cleaner Powder Dry Shampoo
- Homemade Armor All Car Cleaning Spray
- DIY Liquid Hand Soap recipe
- Make Your Own Swiffer Wet Pads
- Homemade Laundry Detergent
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Reader Interactions
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Dana Eiser says
What’s the best essential oil to use?
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Happy-Money-Saver says
I like to use lavender or lemongrass. Those are some of my favorites but feel free to pick your favorites!
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art says
This is pretty much the solution i use for my steam mop….just remove the essential oils.Reply
Jennifer says
Thanks for all the great tips. Every cent we save helps. I was wondering if I could use apple vinegar as I have a rather large stock of it. Do you think this might stain the carpet?Reply
Karrie says
Oooo… I wouldn’t use that, it might stain.
Reply
Jeannette says
When I click on liquid hand soap it brings me to liquid carpet cleaner
Reply
Karrie says
Oh thanks, I fixed that link, it’s working now!
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vicki may says
I once had a carpet cleaning solution, which was hot water, vinegar, baking soda and a small amount of lemon scented amonia. It was the best thing i ever used. Have you heard of this? got out pet smells and dirt, it was amazing. but i can’t remember the correct mixtures. can you assist?
thanks,
vickiReply
Tracey says
Exactly!! What I was looking for and I actually have all the ingredients. I’ll bet it’s the tide that gets out the stains. If you’ve ever used a little in the sink to hand wash something you’ve seen how it just lifts out stains like magic! Literally: MAGIC! Thanks.
Reply
Nicole says
I have been using this recipe of vinegar and warm water for years to spot clean my carpets. I just pour a little on the stain and scrub with a hand towel.Reply
Ann says
This recipe work great every time.Reply
Angela Baker says
I’m commenting here because I couldn’t find where to put new comments “I’m on my phone” all the recipes are great..the only thing I’d suggest you might not do is use Downey in an upright home shampooer..my Bissell has sooo many cheap little plastic parts, it COULD gum up the works. But I’m definitely using the rest of these recipes as much as we have to spot shampoo due to 3 little dogs and kitty.Reply
Hattie says
You have a very helpful site.
Reply
David says
Just an FYI: Many essential oils can be toxic to pets even in tiny amounts. Especially with cats. If you have pets that you allow on your carpet, you may want to skip adding those to your cleaning solution.
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Heather says
Thank you. I have 3 cats in fact, & although my husband would have MUCH rather risked it (jk…sort of??) or me just me not to have seen your comment at all, I’ll definitely skip the step for now. I brought 3 cats into our marriage & not only has he NEVER had a pet in his life, his white color job requires him to be sharp, clean, & furless. I on the other hand have ADD & OCD, so it’s all or none with me. I’m trying to find hacks (aka cleaning/diy’s for lazy people) to appease him & not make me go ALL day cleaning & not get any work done. He can’t wrap his mind around why, if I work from home, can I not keep the house in tip top shape. Ugh! The struggle is real.?Not sure why I felt compelled to share all that except for maybe to ask if you (or anyone) knows of any other time saving (eco friendly preferably) hacks this cat-loving fur-mom/ OCD/ ADD/ wife/ mom/ business owner/ home-maker would LOVE to know. Thanks in advance, thanks again David, & thank you Karrie for this sight. I’m learning/getting great ideas…they just may save my marriage.??????????
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Darlene Sand says
Dear Heather: It sounds to me that it is your husband that has the OCD, not you. Thanks for your dedication in helping all of us out here on the web. Used your carpet cleaner. Will keep you posted re MY success or failure. Be well. Be safe. Be gentle with yourself. Thanks for the help.Bonnie says
We must be sisters from another mother! After feeling overwhelmed for years. trying to keep my place clutter-free, clean, and welcoming, I discovered a blog/podcast called A Slob Comes Clean. She is funny, doesn’t make me feel ashamed or overwhelmed, but mainly the ideas work for me. After all these years trying to fit my unique personality into designers’ little boxes of “how to make your place lovely”, I found someone who gets me! Review it for yourself…see what you think. Hope it helps. B.
Yvette says
I have pets and was wondering if I could use fabric softener in place of the oils?? Your feedback will be most helpful.
Thank you in advance.
A pet lover.Reply
Karrie says
yes you can!
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