Best Way to Clean Carpets With Vinegar

Cleaning carpets can be a daunting task. With children and pets adding to the mix, the challenge can be even greater. There are many products on the market, with varying results for cleaning carpets. Fading and discoloration are always concerns with testing new products, but often, the best cleaning can be done with vinegar.

Cleaning stains with vinegar:

1.   Lay a number of towels over the effected stain and let them absorb the stain. Sometimes, it will be necessary to add weight to the towels. Sometimes, it is necessary to let the towels sit on certain stains, such as pet urine, for longer periods.

2.   Pour one quart of water into a spray bottle, and mix it with one-half cup of white vinegar. Note: With some stains, if the smell is too bad, a higher percentage of vinegar can be used.

3.   Spray the effected area completely to cover the stains.

4.   Blot the stained area dry.

Using vinegar in a steam machine:

Vinegar can also be used to treat the whole carpet and can be used very effectively in a steam carpet cleaner. 

1.   Mix together ten parts of hot water with one part of vinegar, following the specific quantity given in the machine's instructions.

2.   Steam clean the carpet as you normally would, refilling the machine as needed.

The vinegar smell will go away as the carpet dries and it will leave the carpet fresh and cleaner than water and steam alone. It also has the added benefit of not leaving any residue on the carpets, as other cleaners can do. Plus, vinegar is inexpensive, whereas many name-brand cleaners can run several dollars.