How to Make Vinegar and Baking Soda Carpet Cleaner

Learning how to make a vinegar and baking soda carpet cleaner at home can benefit you in all sorts of ways. Not only is it a cheaper alternative to commercial carpet cleaning solutions, but it’s a natural cleaner free of harsh chemicals. The best part of it all is that it’s incredibly easy to make.

Our home has plenty of carpets. After trying various methods and cleaning agents over the years, I found that the most effective solution for cleaning, disinfecting, and refreshing my carpets was right in my kitchen! I wish I had known about it sooner, because who doesn’t like fresh and clean carpets? So I’m sharing my vinegar and baking soda carpet cleaner recipe with you today so you can get right to having cleaner and fresher carpets.

Why Vinegar and Baking Soda?

Our fully carpeted living room is where my kids spend most of their time when they’re at home. It’s also where we spend most of our family quality time. Needless to say, our carpets are prone to spills, stains, and food residue.

When I made this vinegar and baking soda carpet cleaner for the first time, I was amazed at how effective these two eco-friendly cleaning products are as multipurpose cleaners. They can be used to remove gunk and grime from your dishwasher, get rid of burn marks on stainless steel pans, get lint out of a hairbrush, remove maggots in trash cans, and more!

Vinegar is an effective cleaning agent and disinfectant because it is made from acetic acid, the organic compound responsible for vinegar’s sour taste and pungent smell. Vinegar’s acidity is strong enough to dissolve dirt, grease, grime, mineral deposits, and underlying residue but mild enough not to damage fabrics or surfaces. Vinegar also has powerful antimicrobial properties and can even kill bacteria.

On the other hand, did you know that baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is actually a salt? Like all salts, baking soda is a neutral compound that is effective at dissolving dirt, cutting through grease, and any type of stain.

Unlike other cleaners or air fresheners that simply mask unpleasant odors such as pet urine and other pet odors, baking soda absorbs odors, making it an effective and natural deodorizer. It’s even strong enough to effectively remove corrosion off a car battery!

Together, vinegar and baking soda make a powerful and eco-friendly cleaning solution that efficiently and effectively cleans and deodorizes various things and surfaces around the home.

Easy Vinegar and Baking Soda Carpet Cleaner Solution

Nick Wilkesmann, owner of the blog Cleaning King, says “Baking soda and vinegar work so well as a cleaner due to their chemical makeup and reaction. When the alkaline baking soda reacts with the acidic vinegar, it creates a safe, oxygenated gas that foams up and helps lift stains out of a carpet.”

Ready to start spot cleaning your carpet with vinegar and baking soda? Just follow the steps below to make your homemade carpet cleaner. It will work great whether you have all-natural or synthetic carpets.

What You Need

All the ingredients and tools you’ll need can be found right in your kitchen. Gather these materials to get started:

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup salt
• Small bowl
• Spoon or silicone spatula
• Vacuum cleaner

Step-By-Step Directions

Once you gather your materials, just follow these simple steps to start making your homemade carpet cleaner. It will only take less than a minute!

1. Combine the vinegar, baking soda, and salt into the bowl. 
2. Work the ingredients into a paste using a spoon or a silicone spatula.

How to Use Your Vinegar and Baking Soda Carpet Cleaner

This mixture is best for spot-cleaning your carpet. It’s ideal for removing stains, whether fresh or new. Follow these steps for effective carpet cleaning.

1. Spot-test the mixture on your carpet first. Apply a small amount of the paste into an unexposed part of your carpet. Wait for a few minutes and check if any discoloration occurs. If nothing happens, proceed to the next step.
2. Using a spoon or a silicone spatula, scoop a decent amount (enough to cover the stain) of the vinegar and baking soda paste and apply it on the stained area. 
3. Leave it to dry for at least 3 hours. You may also leave it overnight for best results.
4. Once the mixture is dry, vacuum off what remains of the mixture. 
5. Repeat the steps for stubborn stains.

Alternative Recipe

If you’re not a fan of a cleaning paste, you can try an equally easy spray recipe. All you’ll need are the following:

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 4 tablespoons baking soda
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• Spray bottle
• Clean cloth or paper towels

1. Mix the warm water and vinegar in a bowl. Slowly add the baking soda. Stir with a spoon until the mixture is well combined.
2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
3. Spot-test on an unexposed part of your carpet. Wait for a few minutes and check if any chemical reaction occurs. If nothing happens, proceed to the next step.
4. Spray the affected area of your carpet. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
5. Use a clean, damp rag to blot (not wipe!) the spot for effective stain removal.
6. Repeat the steps until tough stains are removed.

How to Refresh Your Carpet Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

Don’t just settle for regular vacuuming to deep clean your carpet. A mixture of vinegar and baking soda effectively removes carpet stains and you can also use the dynamic duo to clean, deodorize, and refresh your carpets and area rugs. Doing this regularly is essential to keep your carpets fresh and clean. 

Gather your tools and materials first before you begin deep cleaning your carpet. You just need the following:

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 vacuum
• Small bowl
• Spray bottle
• Nylon scrub brush
• Clean rag

1. Run a vacuum through your carpet to remove dirt, dust, and any loose debris.
2. Sprinkle the entire area of your carpet with a liberal amount of baking soda.
3. Combine the white vinegar and water in a bowl and pour into a spray bottle. 
4. Spray the vinegar solution throughout your carpet.
5. Use a scrub brush to work the baking soda into the carpet fibers.
6. Wipe away loosened debris using a rag.
7. Allow to air dry completely.
8. Vacuum off any remaining baking soda.

Wrapping Up

From now on, you don’t need to buy expensive commercial carpet cleaning chemicals or hire professional carpet cleaners. Learning how to make a vinegar and baking soda carpet cleaner is a simple solution to a dirty and smelly carpet. The natural way is also the most effective method to help keep your carpets always fresh and odor-free – not to mention it’s also the most inexpensive solution!

If you found this article helpful, save it on your bookmarks and come back to it when it’s carpet cleaning time!