Creating your own carpet cleaners is perfect if you wish to reduce the number of chemicals you use to keep your home clean. On top of this it gives you an element of control over the fragrances you use and how strong the cleaner is; this can be important when cleaning delicate carpets and rugs that may fade and discolour with conventional cleaners. Follow these handy tips to create your own homemade blends that will keep your home fresh and clean all year round. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda has always been used as a miracle-cleaning product because it has so many uses. The sodium bicarbonate is cheap and easy to buy, and is mildly abrasive when mixed with water. It's also not PH balanced, but actually an alkaline substance that reacts with acidic food stains to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that help to dislodge and lift food stains. Finally, this chemical reaction occurs along with the natural salts in the food, so these bubbles are right in amongst the stain, meaning it can act more quickly as the product doesn't need to penetrate the food.

Fine Crystal Odour Neutraliser

Because baking soda is a fine crystal powder, it can be mixed with a variety of liquids from water to coconut oil, depending upon what you need it for. Try mixing ten drops of a fresh smelling essential oil, like lavender with every cup of baking soda for an odour neutralising carpet powder. Adding half a cup of sodium borate, or borax, can help to reduce the risk of fleas if you have pets that walk around at home. Sprinkle liberally over your carpet and leave it to work for 15 mins before hoovering up. 

Spot Cleaning

If you have young children or pets you'll be no stranger to the occasional sick and urine spill on the floor. If this happens clean up the majority of the mess with a damp cloth or a paper towel, then pour baking soda all over the stain. It will absorb the odours and help to lift the stain relatively quickly. Leave until dry then hoover up and repeat if needed. For grease stains it'll take a little longer, you'll need to mix equal parts of both salt and baking soda and pour on the stain. Give it a good scrub with a stiff brush,then leave for six hours to work. You should be able to hoover it up when it's dry, taking the carpet stain with it. 

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