I am sure you are not the only one who has a carpet that smells stale. All carpets and rugs are magnets for accidents and laden in the stick. Spills from an errant cup of coffee, muddy paw prints or magic marker mishap can happen accidentally hence dirtying the carpet.

Your carpets can also, take a beating from the tear and wear of daily life. Dirt, food and dust it difficult to maintain a large section of the carpet clean.

As it is impossible to throw your entire carpeting into the washing machine, it is important to have an essential oil carpet cleaner in your back pocket. The intresting thing is that no unique sprays or solvents bought from stores are required. Some do-it-yourself techniques can help your carpet look its best.

In this post, I'm going to cover 5 essential oil carpet cleaner recipes.

1. The most common method of carpet cleaning.

2. How to make home-made oil carpet cleaners with things already available at home

3. How to get oil and grease stains out of your carpet.

4. Get to know if baking soda is safe for your carpet and vacuum

5. Pros and cons of carpet powder.

Carpet Cleaning

Carpets accumulate lots of dirt and dust over a period of time from microscopic organisms such as bacteria, dust mites and fungus which is unhygienic to the user. Dirty carpets not only emits bad odour but it also spoils the aesthetics and carpet fibres.

The hot water extraction method is the best to use as its compatible with the fibre and underlay of the carpet. However, in case your carpet bleeds dyes, the dry cleaning method is the best option to use. Simple fibre burn or chemical test can help to determine the correct method you can use to keep your carpet clean.

The most common methods of carpet cleaning include

1. Steam Cleaning​

It is the most popular method used at homes with people having allergies since it is very effective. Machines involved in steam cleaning are cheaply available in stores near you at a reasonable price. In the steam cleaning method, hot water is mixed with detergent solutions and then worked into the carpet. Most of the machines use hot water while some superheated steam.

2. Foaming

This method requires the use of little water possible so that the carpet can dry quickly. A foaming detergent with an affinity towards dirt is used. The foam is rubbed against the fibres of the carpet and later extracted along with the dirt.

3. Dry Cleaning

The dry cleaning method is the best option to use when you do not want to wait for the carpet to dry. A powder with a strong dirt affinity is spread over and worked into the carpet. Both the powder and the dirt are removed from the carpet by a vacuum.

4. Shampooing​

Detergents involved in carpet cleaning are applied and agitated to the carpet by the carpet cleaning machine. Deodorizers and brighteners are used to freshen and brighten the carpet. This method is the least effective as some dirt and microbes are left in the carpet.

5. Bonnet Carpet Cleaning​

It is the most used industrial and commercial carpet cleaning method. The cleaning method does not provide deep cleaning as it only restores the look of the carpet. Detergents are placed into the carpet and later a rotary cleaning machine made of pads that absorbs water is passed through the carpet to remove dust and dirt in the carpet.

Home-made Oil Cleaners For Synthetic Carpets

•Detergent Solution- Mix half tablespoon full of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent into one cup of warm water.

•Solvent Solution- Use nail polish remover or you can substitute with an oil solvent.

•Vinegar Solution- Mix two cups of water with a cup of white vinegar. Use a white cloth dipped in any of the cleaning solutions to the stain. It is inadvisable to pour the solutions directly onto the carpet.

Home-made Oil Cleaners For Natural Fibre Carpets

•Detergent Solution- Mix one tablespoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, into one cup of warm water.

•Ammonia Solution- Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with half a cup of warm water.

•Solvent Solution- Use an oil solvent or nail polish remover.

•Vinegar Solution- Into a spray bottle, add warm vinegar to near half, then dilute the solution by filling the spray bottle with warm water.

Apart from the solvent solution, the other natural fibre carpets cleaning solutions should be placed into spray bottles and misted lightly onto the stains

How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains From Carpets? 

Synthetic Fibre Carpets

1. Place a white cloth into the already made home-made oil cleaner solution for synthetic fibre carpets pressing it lightly in a repetitive motion. Then dab the cloth on the oil or grease stain for a few minutes.

2. Into the vinegar solution for synthetic fibre carpets, lower a white piece of cloth and dap to the stain repeatedly. White vinegar used removes residual detergents that can attract dirt in case it is left in the carpet.

3. Rinse the spot with a piece of cloth soaked in warm water and wait until the carpet dries completely. White paper towels can be placed over the stain after step 2 in case of any bad spills. Lastly, lay a glass baking dish for ten minutes.

4. Repeat all the three steps till all the stains.

Natural Fibre Carpets

1. Spray the oil or grease stains with the home-made detergent solution. Then absorb with a dry white cloth.

2. Splash some vinegar solution for natural-fibre carpets to the stains, then blot with a dry white cloth.

3.Spray the stain with warm water, then absorb the liquid left with a dry white cloth.

4.Repeat process 1 to 3 until all the stain is removed.

Safety of Your Carpet When Using Baking Soda.

Using baking soda is the safest and natural way that one can use to freshen the carpet. Also, it is safe for the whole family. However, overuse can cause damage to the carpet. The super-small particles that baking soda can sift through the carpet fibres to the padding on the floor that can't be removed by a vacuum. The best way is to employ baking soda in less extremes as only a few grams can work wonderfull, producing nice fragrants in your home.

When baking soda is used in excess with vacuums, it causes clogging and can even corrode the motors and the vacuum cleaning parts. HEPA filters and bags specifically made for vacuums to prevent corrosion.

Changing the vacuum bags frequently ensures that you get a great suction with no tears or rips in the bag. I have used the same carpet powder for almost 15 years and my vacuum is still going strong.

Do Baking Soda Cause Stains to the Carpet?

Using essential oils that have a strong colour can leave visible colours in lighter carpet overtime. The best method is to use all-natural fragrance of essential oils in the carpet, such as lighter clear essential oils. Citrus and lemon fresh are some of my favourite essential oil cleaners.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Carpet Powder

Advantages

1. It is a cheap method you can use to freshen up your carpet and home.

2. When mixed with essential oils, the powder creates wonderful scents for your home.

3. It is all-natural and safe for use. The powder can't cause any harm to pets and small kids.

4. It is an easy do-it-yourself project you can make even with your children.

Disadvantages

1. The powder can cause corrosion when used in excess.

2. Excess usage can seep the powder through the carpet causing under carpet padding.