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.

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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.

7 DIY Homemade Carpet Shampoo Recipes (2)

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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.

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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 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 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 ingredients are in carpet cleaner solution? ›

The most common solvents used in liquid carpet cleaning products are butyl cellosolve, butyl carbitol, citrus, d-limonene, propylene glycol ether and m-pyrol.

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 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.

What can I use instead of carpet shampoo? ›

For synthetic carpets: Mix ¼ teaspoon of a translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into one cup of lukewarm water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix one teaspoon of translucent liquid dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn or Joy, into 1 cup of lukewarm water.

Can Dawn and vinegar clean carpet? ›

You can try a mixture of white vinegar, Dawn dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Use 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap, and fill with water. Spray area liberally and let soak for 5-10 minutes and then proceed with blotting with a clean, dry towel until stain is removed.

What does baking soda do for carpets? ›

Keep your carpets looking and smelling their best with nothing more than baking soda! Regular vacuuming is essential, but deep cleaning can be expensive. Adding a sprinkle of baking soda to the mix will help remove stains, dirt and neutralise odours caused by everyday wear-and-tear like shoes, pets or food spills.

Can I make my own carpet shampoo for machine? ›

In the bottom of your carpet cleaner machine, add vinegar and dish soap. Fill the container the rest of the way to the fill line with warm water and use the machine to clean up dirt, odor, and spills the same way you would use a commercial carpet shampoo.

How do you make homemade carpet cleaner spray? ›

DIY Carpet Cleaner Solution Recipe
  1. 1 Tablespoon of clear dish soap ( I used Seventh Generation)
  2. 1 Tablespoon white vinegar.
  3. 2 Tablespoons of Hydrogen Peroxide.
  4. 2 cups of warm water.
Jul 16, 2015

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 homemade carpet shampoo? ›

In a spray bottle, mix one cup of distilled water, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Shake well to mix and label the bottle.

How do you make homemade shampoo for a shampooer? ›

This simple recipe utilizes vinegar and dish soap for an effective result, suitable for various carpet cleaning machines. Ingredients: 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon dish soap and hot water.

Is hydrogen peroxide or vinegar better for carpet? ›

Conclusion. Hydrogen peroxide has antimicrobial, oxidising and bleaching properties that can help you remove carpet stains without causing any damage. You can use baking soda, vinegar, and water to restore the shine of your delicate floor coverings.

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.)

Is baking soda or vinegar better for carpet? ›

If you want a cheap and natural way to clean stains and smells from your carpets, try using baking soda or vinegar. Baking soda is great for removing stains and smells, and vinegar is a natural disinfectant, making sure the area is really clean.

Is vinegar or carpet cleaner better? ›

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.

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