7 DIY Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes (2024)

Carpets can stay clean and fresh without harsh chemicals using DIY carpet shampoo recipes.

  • Gather common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
  • Mix DIY solutions using the provided recipes to target different carpet types and stains.
  • Use a carpet cleaning machine or spray bottle for application.
  • Apply the homemade shampoo to your carpet according to the recipe’s instructions.
  • After treatment, vacuum the carpet to remove any remaining residue.

To create and use homemade carpet shampoo, you typically combine natural ingredients such as white vinegar, water, and optional essential oils for fragrance. You mix these ingredients in the right proportions as provided by the recipe, apply them to your carpet using a machine or spray bottle, let the solution act on the stains, and then vacuum clean the carpet. This process ensures you maintain a toxin-free environment while keeping your carpet spotless and fresh.

The carpets in our homes don’t stay clean for very long, especially in the high traffic areas like the hallways. That’s why cleaning them on a regular basis is so important. Not only will frequent cleaning make them look brand new, but it will help to reduce the toxins and pollens that can make your family sick.

The problem is that the commercial carpet cleaning solutions that you use to clean your carpets are full of harmful chemicals and toxins that can make your family even sicker. That’s why you should consider making a DIY carpet shampoo the next time you need to clean your carpets.

Homemade carpet shampoo is easy to make and uses natural products that you probably already have in your home. A homemade carpet cleaning solution will also cost significantly less than those that you can purchase at the store. Here are several excellent DIY carpet shampoo recipes that you can make at home.

7 DIY Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes (1)

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Table Of Contents

  1. DIY Carpet Shampoo
    • Synthetic Carpet Cleaning
    • DIY Carpet Shampoo for Lighter Colored Carpets
    • Do-It-Yourself Carpet Cleaning Machine Solution
    • DIY Carpet Cleaning Spray
    • Homemade Citrus-Enzyme Recipe
    • Pet Stain and Odor Remover Spray
    • Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Soak
    • Recipe for DIY Carpet Shampoo

DIY Carpet Shampoo

Making a homemade carpet cleaner is an easier and more environmentally friendly alternative to using the commercial carpet cleaners that you find in the store.

All of the recipes here use common household ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Here are several excellent homemade carpet cleaning solution recipes for cleaning your carpet and getting rid of unsightly carpet stains.

Synthetic Carpet Cleaning

Synthetic or human-made fibers make up the majority of the wall-to-wall carpet market and are popular due to their strength, durability, stain resistance, and affordability.

The maintenance of synthetic carpet fibers is relatively simple, making this the perfect homemade carpet cleaner recipe for your floors.

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DIYSynthetic Carpet Cleaning Recipe

  • ½ gallon white vinegar
  • ½ gallon water

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In a large bucket, mix the ingredients until well combined. Add the solution to your carpet cleaning machine. Following the machine’s manufacturer’s instructions, begin cleaning your carpet. Be sure not to get your carpets too wet as it will ruin the backing and cause the carpeting to shrink.

DIY Carpet Shampoo for Lighter Colored Carpets

This recipe uses hydrogen peroxide as its base ingredient, along with warm water. The hydrogen peroxide provides extra lifting power for tough carpet stains, along with a diluted whitening power.

This recipe should not be used on darker colored carpeting as it will lift the color and leave a white spot on your carpet. As with any of these methods, it’s crucial to spot test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area of your carpet.

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Recipe for Carpet Shampoo for Light-Colored Carpets

  • 4 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap
  • 1 ½ quarts of hot water
  • 5 drops essential oil of your choice

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Mix the hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and essential oils in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly to ensure they are combined.

Pour the mixture into your carpet cleaning machine’s water reservoir along with the hot water. Use the natural carpet cleaner and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do-It-Yourself Carpet Cleaning Machine Solution

If you use a steam cleaner to clean your carpets, you don’t have to continue to use the recommended, harmful professional carpet cleaning solutions. Here is a great recipe that you can make at home to use in your carpet cleaning machine.

The great thing about this recipe is that it uses inexpensive ingredients that won’t leave a toxic residue on your carpets.

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DIY Carpet Cleaning Machine Recipe

  • 2 tablespoons ammonia
  • 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
  • 2 cups rubbing alcohol
  • Several drops of your favorite essential oil

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Using an empty gallon-sized milk or juice container, combine the ingredients. Fill the rest of the container up with warm water. Add the solution to the reservoir of your carpet cleaning machine.

The mixture isn’t concentrated so you won’t need to add any additional water to the tank. This homemade carpet cleaning solution not only does a great job cleaning your carpets but can be used to mop your floors and cleaning your bathrooms.

DIY Carpet Cleaning Spray

When you have pets and kids in your home, your carpet can quickly look dirty and dingy. Unfortunately, using the commercial carpet cleaners on the market can end up leaving toxic chemicals behind that can leave your family feeling ill.

This DIY carpet cleaning spray is easy to use and will leave your carpets free of dirt and stains. It is often used to clean car carpet and other more rigid mats.

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Homemade Carpet Cleaning Spray Recipe

  • 1 cup white distilled vinegar
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 teaspoons table salt
  • 15 drops of your favorite essential oil

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Add the water and vinegar to a spray bottle. Add the essential oil and the salt. Place the cap back on the bottle and shake thoroughly. Spray the solution on the carpet.

Shake the bottle frequently to ensure the liquid stays mixed. Allow the carpets to dry to ensure that the cleaner has time to work. Vacuum the carpet to remove the cleaning residue. This simple carpet cleaning recipe is also the base for an easy-to-make upholstery cleaner.

Homemade Citrus-Enzyme Recipe

Many of the popular commercial stain removers on the market often have large labels explaining how they use “enzymes” to break down stains and odors. Here is a recipe that you can make yourself to do the same thing.

It is part of our DIY carpet stain remover recipes here. This method takes a bit of time and patience to make, but once it is ready, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t been doing this all along.

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DIY Citrus-Enzyme Cleaning Recipe

  • 7 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups lemon and orange peels
  • 1-quart water
  • A large bottle or clear container to hold the liquid and peels

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Add the brown sugar to the container. Place the lemon and orange peels in the container. Next, pour the water into the container, and tightly screw the cap back on.

Shake the container to mix the ingredients. Next, you will need to loosen the cap, leaving it halfway on. Doing this will allow the gases that build up to be released to ensure that the bottle doesn’t explode. Let the mixture sit for three months.

After three months, pour the liquid into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the stain. With a clean, dry cloth, pat the area gently. Let the area dry, then vacuum to pull up the residue and dirt.

Pet Stain and Odor Remover Spray

Animals tend to be hard on our carpet, making this homemade pet stain and odor remover spray a must. It is inexpensive and easy to make and will work to get urine and blood stains out of the carpet. The white vinegar will get rid of even old stains that may have been overlooked, while the baking soda works to remove odors.

You can also use this spray for removing mold from carpeting if the stain is in a small area. For larger mold spots, you may need to make a larger batch and repeat the process until the mold is gone.

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DIY Pet Stain Remover Spray Recipe

  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 4 tablespoons baking soda

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Mix the ingredients thoroughly and add to a spray bottle. Carefully blot the area that needs to be treated to get up as much of the liquid as you can. Spray the area with the solution and let stand for five minutes. Gently rub and blot up the liquid with a soft cloth.

Allow the area to dry. Since this odor remover is used as a spray, it can also be used as an easy to drying car upholstery cleaner. Just spray your car seats lightly and use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residue.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Soak

Hydrogen peroxide is a great ingredient to use when it comes to breaking down urine and pulling out stains. When you combine it with baking soda, you can eliminate odors as well. When these two ingredients are mixed, you have another great solution for getting rid of carpet stains.

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Homemade Peroxide and Baking Soda Soak Recipe

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

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Using paper towels or clean cloths, soak up any excess liquid from the carpet. Sprinkle the soda over the stain. Mix the hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in a bowl.

Slowly pour the liquid over the baking soda and stain. Using a soft brush or cloth, rub the mixture into the carpet. Allow sitting for 10 to 15 minutes. Vacuum the area thoroughly. Repeat for tough stains.

Alternatively, use diatomaceous earth and rub it into the carpet stain. After a couple of hours, it will eradicate the stain. You might need several applications.

Having clean carpeting that is free of stains and odors without using products that contain harsh chemicals is possible. These seven recipes are easy to make and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. They use everyday household products that are safe for your family, and that are environmentally friendly.

Recipe for DIY Carpet Shampoo

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Homemade Carpet Cleaner / Shampoo

Yield: 3 cups

Prep Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

A simple solution for dirty carpets!

Materials

  • 16 ounces warm water
  • 8 ounces white vinegar
  • 14 drops lemon essential oil
  • 2 tsp salt

Tools

  • Teaspoon
  • 32-ounce glass spray bottle
  • Measuring cup

Instructions

  1. Pour all ingredients into the sprayer.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Spritz the carpet or rug.
  4. Allow the shampoo to dry completely.
  5. Vacuum the rug or carpeting.

Notes

You can substitute orange or lavender for the lemon essential oil.

7 DIY Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes (4)

We hope you found your new favorite DIY homemade carpet shampoo here and would love it if you share the information about carpet cleaning with your family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook.

7 DIY Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best homemade recipe for carpet cleaner? ›

How to Make Homemade Carpet Stain Remover
  1. Mix the Ingredients. In a spray bottle, mix one cup of distilled water, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. ...
  2. Spray the Stain. ...
  3. Rinse, Blot, and Dry.
Dec 18, 2023

How do you make homemade carpet cleaner with vinegar and dawn? ›

How to use it
  1. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle.
  2. Spray onto the stain, covering it thoroughly.
  3. Leave for 15 minutes.
  4. Scrub with a hard-bristle brush. This should clear the stain, with no need to rinse the carpet afterward, according to Wilkesmann.
Nov 2, 2021

What can I use instead of carpet shampoo in my machine? ›

Instructions
  • In a small bowl, combine the liquid Tide, Awesome cleaner, Oxiclean and Downy if using. ...
  • Add mixture to a gallon of hot water, stirring gently so you don't make bubbles. ...
  • Use immediately in your carpet cleaner machines or pour into a gallon-sized container with a lid.
Apr 9, 2020

What is the vinegar and water mixture for cleaning carpet? ›

For use around the home, combine vinegar with water in a 1:1 solution to clean and freshen many surfaces. Use this solution on glass, windows, walls, cupboards, floors, sinks, stovetops and coffee makers.

What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution with hydrogen peroxide? ›

Deep Clean Carpet Cleaner.

This deep cleaner can be used in your rug-cleaning machine. It is made of ¾ cup of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons dish soap, 5 drops of essential oils, 2 tablespoons of fabric softener, and one gallon of hot water.

What happens when you put baking soda and vinegar on carpet? ›

Also, when mixed with vinegar, a cleaning chemical called carbonic acid is created. This is a common ingredient in household cleaners and helps to kill bacteria and mold and break down stains and dirt particles. Use equal parts of vinegar and water and mix with the desired amount of baking soda.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide in my carpet shampooer? ›

You can make your own homemade cleaning solution to add to the tank of your carpet steam cleaner. All you need is some liquid soap, the 3% hydrogen peroxide and hot water. Then, proceed to steam clean the carpet as you would with any cleaning solution.

How do you make foaming carpet cleaner? ›

Kirby DIY dry foam carpet shampoo 3QT cold water 3TBS dish soap 1TBS white vinegar 1/2Tsp ammonia Use funnel to add water to milk jug first. Add other ingredients. Shake. I let mine sit for 20 mins before I used it.

How do you make homemade carpet shampoo? ›

Making Carpet Cleaner Recipes
  1. 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of liquid laundry detergent.
  2. ¼ cup (59 ml) of liquid all-purpose cleaner.
  3. 1 scoop of OxiClean.
  4. 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of fabric softener.
  5. 1 gallon (3.8 L) of hot water.

What not to do when shampooing carpet? ›

Make sure you do not over-wet the carpet as this will make the dirt/stain difficult to remove.
  1. DON'T PUT WOOD OR METAL FURNITURE FEET BACK ONTO WET CARPET. Do not put furniture with wood or metal feet straight back onto the carpet once it has been cleaned. ...
  2. DON'T IGNORE THE DILUTION RATE.

Can you substitute laundry detergent for carpet cleaner? ›

Laundry detergents are formulated to remove dirt, stains, and odors from clothes, not carpets. While they might offer some cleaning power, they can also leave behind residue that attracts dirt and creates a sticky film on your carpets. Experts advise against using regular laundry detergent in carpet cleaners.

Can Dawn and vinegar clean carpet? ›

A few drops of dawn dish detergent and vinegar make a foaming carpet cleaner. The dish detergent serves as a degreaser while vinegar acts as a stain fighter. Ensure to clean the area thoroughly to prevent dish detergent residues.

Can you put straight vinegar on carpet? ›

Using Vinegar to Clean Carpet is Not Effective

While some websites sing the praises of vinegar as an all-purpose cleanser, it simply shouldn't be used on carpet. Here's why … Vinegar is great for countertops, but it's one of the least effective solutions out there for removing dirt from carpet fibers.

Do I dilute white vinegar for carpet cleaning? ›

After about 24 hours, examine the area for color fading or changes in texture. If the fibers are unchanged, then you know that the vinegar is safe to use. For most types of cleaning, you will want to dilute the vinegar with water to protect the carpet fibers.

Does vinegar and dawn clean carpet? ›

Spot clean + pretreat stains

Give the stain a firm blotting using one of the following: club soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or a dish soap (such as Dawn Dish Soap) and water will usually take out most stains and spots. (More on specific types of stains below.)

What does vinegar and baking soda do to carpet? ›

Vinegar and baking soda can be used for carpet cleaning, but not together. Vinegar, when diluted with water, can help remove stains and odors. Baking soda is effective for deodorizing carpets. Apply vinegar or baking soda separately, allow it to dry, and then vacuum the carpet.

Does vinegar and baking soda remove old stains from carpet? ›

Yes, vinegar and baking soda are a powerful combination that has been proven to remove old stains from carpet. When combined with vinegar, the oxidation power of the baking soda creates a potent solution that can uproot the toughest set-in stains from carpet.

Is baking soda and vinegar a good carpet cleaner? ›

If the liquid has created a stain, you can remove it by combining baking soda with another non-toxic cleaning agent: vinegar. Mix equal parts of vinegar and baking soda until it creates a thick paste. Then, apply the paste to the stained area of carpet. Using a wet rag, work the paste into the carpet.

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