If you have stains on your floor coverings, it’s likely that you have not considered a cleaning carpet with baking soda solution to your problem. This is understandable, we tend to fall back on specialized chemical cleaning products when we encounter unsightly stains. But, these products are expensive, they can ruin the carpet or rug, they may be bad for the environment and they are not guaranteed to work on tougher stains. Using baking soda for carpet stains may seem strange, but it’s a natural cleaner and deodorant that can be used in many homemade cleaning applications. If baking soda is combined with white vinegar, it can handle very tough stains and these ingredients may be in your cupboard right now.
What Are the Different Types of Carpet Stains That Baking Soda Will Clean
Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda can be used to clean and deodorize rugs and carpets. But, the exact method that you choose to clean these surfaces will be dependent on the type of stain that you want to remove. Dividing the stains into two broad categories; grease-based and non-greasy can help. In both cases, the cleaning process starts with a generous sprinkling of baking soda on the stained area.
Step By Step for Cleaning Carpet with Baking Soda
Let’s take a look at how to clean the two broad categories of carpet stains with baking soda:
1/ Non-Greasy Carpet Stains
These may seem easier to clean, but this is not necessarily the case and they can still be tough to remove. In many cases, repeated applications may be required to fully remove the stain.
Step 1: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the affected area.
Step 2: Get some hot (not boiling) water and mist the stained area lightly.
Step 3: When the stained area is damp, leave the mixture to sit on the surface of the carpet for at least 3 hours to give the baking soda time to work. If you can leave the mixture for longer or even overnight, this will improve the cleaning results significantly.
Step 4: When you’re ready to complete the cleaning process, simply vacuum the affected area to remove the now dried baking soda mixture. In many cases, you may notice that the stain has completely vanished and the carpet smells fresh. If the stain is sticky, you may need to repeat this process multiple times to get the carpet clean.
2/ Greasy Carpet Stains
Greasy stains tend to be harder to clean and a slightly different approach is needed to remove them from your carpets and rugs.
Step 1: Take an old rag or a fresh paper towel and use these materials to mop up as much of the grease as you can. Don’t rub at the surface because this will spread the grease and make the stain larger and harder to clean.
Step 2: Now it’s time to sprinkle the area with dry baking soda and leave it to sit there overnight. The longer that the baking soda is allowed to sit on the stain the more grease it will absorb.
Step 3: When you’re ready, vacuum the affected area and inspect it to see if the stain has been fully removed. If the stain still lingers, you can blot it with dish soap to further reduce the amount of grease in the stain. Then follow up with some clean water and a fresh towel to gently remove the remaining soap from the carpet surface. Again, don’t scrub at the surface or you may spread grease and cause it to set in the carpet fibers.
Step 4: After this cleaning is completed dry the area with some old clean towels or rags until it feels slightly damp. Now it’s time for cleaning carpet with baking soda again with a light sprinkling and a sitting time of at least three hours. When you’re ready, vacuum the affected area again and you should notice that the stain has gone, and the carpet is fresher.
3/ Cleaning Animal Stains from Carpet
There is a final category of stains that deserves its own three step section. We love our furry friends, but pets can leave some intense odors and stains on carpets. The proper application of baking soda can remove these odors and make the room smell fresh again.
Step 1: Sprinkle plenty of baking soda on the areas of the carpet where the pets tend to congregate for eating, sleeping, playing and other activities. Leave the baking soda to sit overnight before you move on to step 2.
Step 2: Vacuum the area, remove all of the dry baking soda and the carpet should smell fresh and clean.
Step 3: If the results are less than satisfactory, you can repeat the previous two steps multiple times and you may want to do this once per week as part of your regular cleaning routine.
Will Vacuuming Up Baking Soda Affect My Vacuum Cleaner?
When people start to use baking soda for carpet stains they worry about possible damage to their vacuum cleaner. But, if moderate amounts of baking soda are vacuumed, this should not present a problem. Large quantities of frequent baking soda vacuuming may enter the electric motor unit of the machine.
This area is usually separated from the suction section but baking soda particulates are very small. The baking soda may short out the motor causing damage. This could be a problem with older or less expensive vacuum cleaners. Modern and more expensive vacuum cleaners have well sealed motors that are not prone to these problems.
A second problem could be the clogging of the vacuum bag or a built-in HEPA filter with baking soda particulates. The particles can become lodged in the tiny pores in the filtration system. After prolonged use, a buildup may occur, and this has the potential to degrade the suction power. In extreme cases, overheating can occur, and this may short out and damage the vacuum cleaner motor. Regular vacuum bag and HEPA filter changes will prevent this problem.
FAQ’s about Cleaning Carpet with Baking Soda
Is baking soda good for cleaning carpets?
Baking soda is kind to your family and the environment and it’s an inexpensive item that many people have in their cupboards. It’s a natural deodorizer, it can be used to scrub pans clean and it’s effective when used on carpet stains.
Will baking soda stain my carpet?
There is a risk that baking soda could stain a carpet or make it so clean that it doesn’t match other areas that need cleaning. So, it’s a good idea to test a hidden area of the carpet to ensure that it’s color fast. Simply mix ½ tablespoon of baking soda in a ½ cup of water and pour it on the hidden carpet area. Leave it to dry fully, vacuum the area and check the carpet to ensure that no stains have been created.
Does baking soda get dog smell out of carpet?
Yes, baking soda is a powerful deodorizer, and it can make the carpet and room smell cleaner and fresher.
Cleaning Carpet with Baking Soda-In Conclusion
Hopefully we’ve shown that cleaning carpet with baking soda makes a lot of sense. It’s a viable alternative to expensive store-bought cleaners that may be less effective. Baking soda is absorbent, it’s an effective deodorizer and it can remove stains from carpet fibers. The only drawback is that it takes time to work and the longer that you leave the baking soda in place the better the results will be. Make sure to test an unobtrusive area first to ensure that your carpet is color fast before you begin. Only apply smaller quantities of baking soda to protect older vacuum cleaners.
