Cleaning Carpet with OxiClean and vinegar
When deep cleaning a carpet you will need cleaning solution that is effective not only on the surface but one that will penetrate deep into the pile. The problem is that most of the commercial products contain chemicals and are expensive. Fortunately, it is not difficult to make your own solution for deep cleaning a carpet. It will work every bit as well as anything you buy, plus it will be nontoxic while saving you money.
Step 1 - Paste
Start the deep cleaning carpet solution by adding ¼ cup OxiClean powder to ¼ cup white vinegar. Mix these in a bowl to create a paste. It won’t be too thick, but also shouldn’t be too runny. This is the base for the cleaning solution and can clean deep into the carpet.
Step 2 - Essential Oil
There are many different essential oils and each performs a different function. What you choose is up to you, but it will give a pleasant smell to the solution and can help remove lingering odors in the carpet. If you’ve had a problem with urine stains, for instance, try tea tree essential oil, or lemon or peppermint.
Step 3 - For the Machine
To prepare the solution for the carpet cleaning machine, mix the paste, plus essential oil, with 1 gallon of water that’s just below boiling point. Combine them in a bucket, making sure it has a spout for pouring.
From here you can pour it into the carpet cleaning machine. If you’re deep cleaning a carpet that’s been heavily used or has been badly soiled, adding ½ cup club soda will help to draw out the dirt more effectively.
Step 4 - Alternative
There are a number of alternatives to the solution above for deep carpeting cleaning. You can try using 3 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid, making sure it’s non-moisturizing, adding it to ¼ cup of ammonia and ¼ cup of white vinegar. To use it you should add it to 2 gallons of hot water.
Simply putting vinegar in water in a ratio of 1 part to 10 parts also makes a very effective deep cleaning carpet solution. The vinegar odor will dissipate as the carpet dries.
Step 5 - Odor Removal
Where odor is a particular problem make a solution that’s intended to remove odors. This is very simple, requiring just 1 scoop of OxiClean with 1 cup white vinegar. Combine these with the amount of hot water recommended for the carpet cleaning machine. This will clean the carpets and prove very effective at eliminating the odors completely.
Another way to take out odors and clean carpets is to mix ammonia and water and then scrub the carpets with a scrub brush dipped in the solution. Use 1 scoop of OxiClean, 1 cup of generic Fabreeze or 1 cup of vinegar, and the recommended hot water. The outcome is not only clean, but it also kills all odors. Do not worry about the vinegar smell of vinegar. Once the vinegar dries, the smell is gone.
