Anyone have any suggestions on "green" methods of carpet cleaning? We have a pet and i am trying to enforce no shoes in the house. Would like to clean carpets though without all of the chemicals! Thanks.
Thank you to everyone who responded. I got some great ideas! Have a great day.
I use white vinegar and hot water in my steam cleaner. It's great if you don't mind the smell and it does not leave any soap behind like regular cleaners. Good luck!
We just had stanley steamer in and they (supposedly) use only high pressure steam unless you specifically request chemical spot cleaning or scotchguard application.... did a good job too.
I use white vinegar and water for cleaning carpets, it's great and inexpensive too! Hope that helps.
Look for a cleaner called FOLEX. You can usually find it in Target and Lowes or Home Depot. It comes in a spray bottle which works great for spots, but it says you can also put it in carpet cleaning machines (I have not personally tried this.) It is non-toxic and won't hurt the kids or pets, and it will take ANYTHING out of the carpet. This is absolutely the best carpet cleaner I have ever used. I have used it on black grease, cat barf, and even blood. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 applications, but worth it.
Hi K.,
I use and also sell Thieves Household Cleaner (which contains Thieves essential oil) for cleaning everything in my house - my home is 100% free of toxic cleaners : )
Because Thieves Household Cleaner is so concentrated it will cost about 30 cents per quart (as a wholesale customer).
Here's a link to an article I wrote in my blog about Thieves...
http://aromatherapy4u.wordpress.com/thieves/
If you have questions let me know. Hope this helps,
E.
Hey K.,
I recenctly switched ALL of my household cleaning products over to "green" products and I love them. I had tried several different products from WalMart and none of them seemed to work as well as chemical based products. But a few monthes ago I found Melaleuca. The products are amazing and I've noticed a difference in my kids' allergies and ecxema since we made the switch. The have a product called Sol-U-Mel that is the best stain remover for carpets and furniture I've ever used.
I actually loved the products so much, I started working for the company so now I set up new customer accounts working here at home. You can send me an email if you are interested in checking out the products, no pressure to "sign up" or anything, just info.
"Zero rez" (for zero residue) is supposed to not leave anything behind. They are a business that cleans carpets, upholstery, etc. They are pricey, and are a franchise, so they may or may not be in your area. Folex is great for spot cleaning, and is supposed to not have anything harmful in it. I think the label says you could even use it in a machine.
Yes, K. - you got some great ideas...and I vote for the one or two that told you about Melaleuca. I have been using those products for 17 years - totally safe for you and your family, less expensive than store brand products and work better than the other green stuff out there for now.
It is not an MLM company - so no worries about "getting involved" such; there are no distributors. Customers just join like you would a Sam's club (only for less money) and order on the internet or 800#...and unlike Sam's, you don't buy in bulk.
I am so grateful my family was raised on these products and my budget was blessed with them, too.
Happy cleaning...
For Pet stains & smells Natures Miracle.
It is an enzyme cleaner.
P
I have heard that baking soda and vinegar will get most things out as long as you use alot of elbow grease. I can tell you to NEVER use ammonia! The animals will pee wherever you used it!
If you own a steam cleaner or want to rent one you can just use hot water in it instead of chemicals. That's what we do and it works great (pets, shoes, toddler mess, etc). They actually say the carpet shampoos make it worse for in the future because if it doesn't all get rinsed out it will attract dirt.
You can add a capful of vinegar too which helps just make sure to go over once with plain water so you get the vinegar out.
K., you are in luck. You live in an area serviced by Spray Power. This is a company based in Lexington and, last I knew, this cleaner was the only product they produced. It is 100% biological conscientious and ecologically sound since before people were talking "Green Cleaning". (The manufacturer says you can eat it but he would not recommend it!) I have only been able to find it at Wal-Mart Stores. It is available in both quart-sized spray bottles and in gallon jugs. A friend once called the company to ask if it was safe to use in her carpet cleaner with the cleaning solution. She was advised she COULD but it would be double-dipping so to speak. The Spray Power is far less expensive than the cleaning solutions sold for the job and works just as well (The company says better). I love it for getting out set-in stains, including 2 month-old dried blood! Though sometimes it does require a little elbow grease to get the job done.
Spray Power is not the only Green cleaner on the market anymore. Many of the brand names are starting to market ecologically green cleaning products, including carpet cleaning solutions. Many of them have products that will do great spot-cleaning as well as others that will work in a steam cleaner. Check with Home Depot and Lowes for what's available. I, of course, still lean toward Spray Power which will do both jobs out of the same bottle. (Instructions are on the jug for big job cleaning such as carpets.)
Hi K.,
I use a line of non-toxic cleaners (non-toxic to the environment and babies and pets!)that has a carpet cleaning recipe for the home carpet cleaner. I've used it and it works great. If you're interested let me know and I'll give you more information.
Regards,
M.
