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Home · Homekeeping · Dirty Carpets? Make This Easy Carpet Cleaner Solution For Cheap

57

Dirty Carpets? Make This Easy Carpet Cleaner Solution For Cheap

Say goodbye to ground-in dirt, stains, and germs, and say hello to clean, fluffy carpets!

Jill Nystul  ·  September 2, 2018
5 stars · 1 votes

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

About two years ago now (it really is shocking sometimes how quickly time passes!), I posted a “recipe” for a homemade cleaning solution for use in carpet cleaning machines. I still stand by that cleaning solution, and would recommend it to anyone! It’s easy to make and can save you quite a bit of money over those expensive store-bought cleaning solutions. But a reader recently told me about another homemade carpet cleaner that I was eager to try, and that’s what I’m sharing with you today! Because it never hurts to have options, right? :-)

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Like the old formula, the solution I’ll be sharing with you today uses white vinegar to clean and deodorize. But this formula also packs an antibacterial punch thanks to the addition of Lysol concentrate disinfectant. A little bit of this stuff goes a long way, so a capful is all you need here! And apart from a bit of warm water, the only other ingredient in this recipe is rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, so adding it to a carpet cleaner solution like this can help your carpets dry out more quickly after you’ve cleaned them! These ingredients come together to form a powerful cleaner, and even the most stubborn dirt and grime won’t stand a chance against you and your carpet cleaner!

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Speaking of which, I also thought I’d mention that I ended up buying my own carpet cleaning machine. (I had been renting them pretty regularly for blog posts, so I thought it made more sense to just buy my own!) It’s called the BISSEL PowerForce, and I’ve really enjoyed using it so far! It’s much smaller and lighter than those rental machines, so it’s perfect for my home since only the bedrooms have carpet. If your home has a lot of carpet, you may want to look for a model that’s a bit larger than this one! But I thought I’d share, just in case you happened to be in the market for a carpet cleaner of your own. :-) Now, onto that recipe!

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Ingredients:

  • Warm water
  • 1 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1 capful Lysol concentrate disinfectant
  • White vinegar

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Directions:

Fill the water reservoir about halfway full with clean, warm water.

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Pour the rubbing alcohol and Lysol concentrate into the reservoir too.

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Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Finally, fill the remaining space in the tank with white vinegar. (Make sure to stop at the “fill here” line to make sure you don’t overfill the tank.)

Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

Put the tank in place on your machine, and clean your carpets according to the instructions provided with your machine. The cleaning solution will dissolve dirt, erase stains, and eliminate germs, leaving your carpet softer and cleaner than you even knew it could be! :-)

Note: some carpet cleaner manufacturers claim using anything but their cleaning solution will void the warranty and/or damage the machine. Use your own judgement on this, but I personally have used many different homemade cleaning recipes in carpet and spot cleaner machines without any problem. Just be sure to rinse out your reservoir when you’re done.

I may include affiliate links to products sold by others, but only when they are relevant and helpful. I always offer my own genuine recommendation. Learn more.  
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Hi, I’m Jillee!

I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making One Good Thing by Jillee a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

Read More
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newest oldest most voted
Jemar
Jemar

This is a great and very knowledgable article, thank you so much for sharing it!
For more carpet cleaning methods you want to know, just try checking one of the best Carpet Cleaning in Buffalo, NY

Vote Up-1Vote Down 
4 months ago
Bonnie Lou
Bonnie Lou
Love this post? Rate it: :
     

Can I replace the Lysol Concentrate with LA’S TOTALLY AWESOME ALL PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER instead of the LYSOL? And can I also add a capful of DOWNEY FABRIC SOFTENER TO THIS, AS WELL?

Vote Up0Vote Down 
5 months ago
Bonnie Lou
Bonnie Lou

Again…Can I use LA’S TOTALLY AWESOME ALL PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER instead of the LYSOL? And can I also add a capful of DOWNEY FABRIC SOFTENER TO THIS, AS WELL?

Vote Up0Vote Down 
5 months ago
Paul Brown
Paul Brown

I tried the solution at my place, used warm water, and guess what….one of the toughest stains were off just in a second. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was awesome. Thanks for sharing such an informative article.

Vote Up2Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

I’m so glad, Paul!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
stacey
stacey

the white vinegar not only freshens, cleans and sanitizes the carpet but it also cuts the foam and helps remove residual soap in the carpet. I’ve been using white vinegar for many, many years in carpet cleaning and elsewhere…………………………..

Vote Up2Vote Down 
1 year ago
Michelle May
Michelle May

Can I use a capful of Mr Clean instead of Lysol??
Also my machine has a different spot for the cleaner and it mixes with the water during the “clean” cycle. Should i just leave the detergent cup empty and mix all these in rinse reservoir?

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

Yes – the Mr Clean Disinfectant will work wonderfully!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
Bruce Robertson
Bruce Robertson

Your mixture is machine specific to that particular water reservoir. Can you provide a ratio/specific formula to make up the solution in, say a two gallon container or any larger volume?.

Vote Up-1Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

Equal parts vinegar and water, with 1 capful of Lysol for every gallon of liquid :-)

Vote Up5Vote Down 
1 year ago
Sarah M Hansen
Sarah M Hansen

Rubbing alcohol is bad to breathe in.

Vote Up-4Vote Down 
1 year ago
Geraldine Fitch
Geraldine Fitch

Being quite diluted I say with all respect, it’s no worse than the everyday air we breathe or the off-gases from all the synthetic items in our homes including carpets and rugs. It really is a great cleaner! It also works wonders on upholstery, car seats and other car upholstery (walls and flooring.) Best to clean insides of car in the morning of a hot but breezy day and leave the windows or doors open so there is a cross draft.

Vote Up3Vote Down 
1 year ago
Linda
Linda

Does the Lysol have a scent? I’m allergic to everything scented. If it’s scented like I remember from the 1960’s I’ll have to pass on the Lysol.

Vote Up-1Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

It does have strong scent. However, since you use only a capful for a whole carpeted room, it’s quite diluted. The smell didn’t bother me much! You can definitely leave it out, though :-)

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
Nartia
Nartia

I was wondering does this make a phone at all? My carpet cleaning machine can not use anything that phones. Thank you. Love your ideas and your blog!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

No foam here! :-)

Vote Up2Vote Down 
1 year ago
Sandra Hayes
Sandra Hayes

Can this be used in a steam cleaner

Vote Up1Vote Down 
1 year ago

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Hi, I’m Jillee!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

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