The task of cleaning your carpet often starts with gathering the tools and materials that you will need. Among the necessary items are carpet cleaning products and solutions that can usually be bought from almost any store. These would be the common cleaning materials used to get dirt, dust, and stains out of carpet. But what some people are unaware of is that some of these cleaning products contain ingredients that can be harmful to our environment and even to ourselves.
Protecting and preserving our environment has become increasingly important so we should always look for ways to prevent pollutants from damaging our surroundings. The question then becomes what are we to use for our carpet cleaning needs? Well the answer can be as simple as peeking into your kitchen. There are several household items that can be used as effective substitutes to the many commercial carpet cleaning products that we traditionally use. Here, we will take a look at a couple of eco-friendly alternatives that you can use when cleaning your carpet.
Baking Soda – Baking soda is a common item that you will find in many homes all over the country. As its name suggests, it is primarily used in baking and cooking. But baking soda can also serve as a great alternative to traditional carpet cleaning products. Baking soda is a fantastic tool for neutralizing odors. Just like in your refrigerator, baking soda can absorb odors from your carpet as well. Use baking soda by sprinkling an even layer of it over your carpet and letting it set for several minute, hours, or even overnight, depending on the amount of odor neutralizing you need. Then simply extract the baking soda with your vacuum cleaner. As you remove the powder you will be removing all the odor from your carpet also.
Vinegar – Vinegar, like baking soda, is another item normally used in cooking. But it is also a great tool for cleaning up stains from your carpet. Vinegar is readily available and very safe for the environment. You can use vinegar by mixing a teaspoon of it in a spray bottle with some hot water to create a cleaning solution. This solution can then be sprayed onto the stained area and left to work for a short time. Blot the area with a clean towel or cloth. Add more of the solution as necessary and repeat the process until your carpet is clean again.
Cleaning your carpet can be done without the use of harmful commercial carpet cleaning products. These two green alternatives will help you save Mother Earth while still getting your carpet clean and fresh again.