DIY carpet powder cleaner and deodorizer to keep carpet stains at bay.
Having carpets in the house has its benefits: they keep our feet warm, make the floors comfier, and dampen the noise of a household. But carpets also get a lot of wear and tear that vacuuming alone cannot help.
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If you have pets or kids, stains and odors on the carpets are far more likely to plague your household, but there are some natural, cheap and easy methods to deal effectively with carpet stains that are also safe for your family.
Dealing With Carpet Spills
In general, there are a few guidelines for dealing with spills on the carpet. The quicker you can get to a spill, the more likely you are to have success in cleaning it up more completely.
If the spill is liquid, blot it gently with a clean cloth until the excess moisture is removed, then tackle your stain.
If the spill is dry, vacuum up the excess first, then work on your spot. Also, if you have kids or pets in your home, please make sure that the ingredients you’re using are safe for them to be around.
I have included a dog and cat-safe deodorizer recipe here, but keep in mind that using any essential oils (even ones that are safe for dogs) in excess can be irritating to their sensitive noses.
And it’s always best to keep kids and pets well clear of the area you’re cleaning until your carpet is dry.
4 DIY Carpet Cleaning Solutions
Below are 4 simple recipes to help you keep your carpets cleaner and smelling better.
1. DIY Carpet Powder Cleaner Deodorizer
This is a good solution to clean and deodorize after dry or wet spills. And depending on which essential oils or herbs you use, it can also serve to help repel pests. Do not use this cleaner if you have dogs or cats, as all of the essential oils listed can be harmful to them.
To find out about the use of essential oils and pets check this information.
- 1 cup baking soda
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 8-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (lavender and peppermint have pest-controlling properties)
- 8-10 drops of cinnamon or cassia essential oil (or 1 Tbsp. powdered cinnamon). Cinnamon and Cassia are natural pesticides and fungicides.
Combine all ingredients well.
Apply to the stained area by spooning it on, or put your mixture in a shaker and shake it gently on the stain.
Let sit for at least 15-20 minutes, then vacuum up when dry.
Other DIY Carpet Cleaner And Deodorizer Recipes
2. Carpet Cleaner Spray Recipe
If you’re using this spray to deal with a wet spill, make sure you blot up any excess liquid gently with a clean cloth before you begin (don’t rub – that will just push the offending liquid further into the carpet fibers).
Otherwise, you’re just spreading around the existing spill to stain your carpet even more.
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tsp. salt (salt helps by binding to stains)
- 10-15 drops of essential oil of your choice (I like orange or lemon EO)
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
Shake well, then spray over the stained carpet area (without using so much that it becomes sodden).
Let dry, then vacuum well. If the stain is not removed, sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the stain, then repeat.
If you have a very light-colored carpet, you can substitute 1/2 cup of the water with hydrogen peroxide, but it can bleach out darker-colored carpet, so definitely do a test first somewhere that won’t be noticeable.
DIY Carpet Powder Deodorizer
Even when your carpets aren’t visibly filthy, it’s nice to give them a bit of deodorizing to make sure your house stays smelling clean between deep cleanings.
A good idea is to do this when you’re already planning to vacuum your carpets. This recipe is not safe for pets.
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup dried lavender
- 2 tsp. dried lemon peel
- 5-10 drops of tea tree essential oil (contains compounds that can kill some bacteria)
Place the baking soda in a bowl or other container.
Mix dried lavender and lemon peel together in a blender or food processor to make a more uniform texture with the other ingredients. When they’ve broken down a bit, add them to the baking soda.
Add the tea tree oil (it’s very strong, so add it a little at a time until it’s the amount you want) and combine all ingredients thoroughly.
After your ingredients are combined, pour into a container with holes for easy application- an old grated parmesan container, large-holed spice shaker, or even a mason jar with holes poked in the lid will do.
Sprinkle liberally over the area of carpet that you want to deodorize and let it sit for at least 20 minutes, then vacuum well.
If you need a deeper deodorizer, consider leaving the deodorizer there longer- even overnight if things are really funky! Keep pets and kids off of the area while it’s there.
DIY Carpet Powder Deodorizer for Dog Odor – Pet Safe
Many cleaning products, even “natural” ones, can be toxic to dogs and cats. Borax should not be used around pets, and some essential oils are poisonous to dogs and cats, even if it’s not ingested but just gets on their skin.
These include cinnamon oil, citrus oil, peppermint oil, pine oil, tea tree oil (also known as melaleuca), and ylang-ylang oil. Lavender plant is also toxic to dogs and cats.
With that in mind, here is an effective deodorizer that is safe for pets (although it’s still best to keep them away from an area you’re cleaning or deodorizing).
- 1 cup baking soda
- 4 tsp. ground rosemary powder
- 2 tsp. ground sage powder
Break down the dried rosemary and sage together with a mortar & pestle or a food processor to get them into smaller particles.
Mix all ingredients well and put in a shaker.
Apply liberally to the area of carpet you want to clean (keeping pets away). Leave on the carpet for at least 20 minutes, and then vacuum well.
Hopefully, these recipes will help your home stay cleaner and fresher-smelling, no matter what havoc your family and pets wreak on your carpets.
✅ Other cleaning tips for your home:
