Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the carpet for 10-15 minutes to penetrate the fibers and loosen dirt and stains. This will give the solution time to break down any dirt or grime that has built up in the carpet fibers. Blot the carpet to remove the vinegar solution and dirt using a clean, dry cloth or towel.
To handle stubborn stains, apply a concentrated vinegar solution directly to the stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth. Rinse with water and repeat if necessary, but avoid using delicate carpets or rugs.
Trust us on this; the vinegar will not remove stains that are embedded in your carpet and may, in fact, harm your carpet fibers. You'll end up with the same dirt you had before, but with the added problem of color fading and changes in carpet texture.
There are two easy ways to use vinegar to remove carpet odors: Pour vinegar into several bowls and leave them in the room with the carpet overnight. Simmer a pot of white vinegar on your stove for about an hour. This method will disperse the vinegar more quickly throughout your whole house.
But those effects depend in part on how long the vinegar solution is in contact with a particular surface, says Jason Tetro, a microbiologist in Edmonton, Alberta, and author of “The Germ Files.” “You need at least five minutes for killing bacteria and 30 minutes for viruses.”
The only real side effect from leaving vinegar to its own devices is that its acidity will gradually decrease over time, making it less potent. This is why a "best by" date can be found on the bottle, but it's still perfectly fine long past that — it isn't an "expiration date," by any means. Vinegar does not expire.
To remove stains with vinegar via pre-treating, you can dilute the vinegar with water (vinegar 1:3 Water) or soak in undiluted vinegar and allow garments to soak between 15-30 mins or even overnight depending on the stubbornness of the stain.
If you're worried that cleaning with vinegar will make your home smell like pickles, don't worry – the smell disappears pretty quickly, especially if you air out your space properly. Open windows and doors to encourage air flow. Once dry, you'll find that vinegar leaves a fresh scent.
What's the best way to deodorize a carpet? Regular use of baking soda or a vinegar solution is your best bet.
Protect your eyes and skin from splashing by wearing rubber gloves and eye protection while cleaning with vinegar. Wear a protective mask to prevent the inhalation of mold spores. Spray the solution directly on the mold, saturating it well. Leave the vinegar to work for at least 30 minutes to one hour.
Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery. The heat will permanently set the stain and the odor by bonding the protein into any man-made fibers. Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar.
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
Abrasive cleaners can damage the carpet fibers and leave a bare spot where the stain used to be. The same goes for heavy-duty scrubbing brushes. If you must scrub your carpet, use a mild cleaner and a soft bristle brush to prevent damage.
Steps 2 and 3—Making Alcohol and Acetic Acid
Stir the mixtures daily. Keep the containers away from direct sunlight and maintain the temperature at 60 to 80 degrees F. Full fermentation will take about 3 to 4 weeks. Near the end of this period, you should notice a vinegar-like smell.
A bowl of vinegar can start absorbing odors almost immediately and is typically adequate for up to 24 hours. When left out in a room, the acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors, such as those from smoke, cooking, or pet accidents, by binding with the odor molecules and neutralizing them.
If there is no discolouring or changes to the carpet, it should be safe to use on the area that smells. Spray some white vinegar over the affected area but don't worry about the vinegar smell at first. This will work to remove the bad odours from the carpet and neutralise the smell.
Final Verdict. Overall, we recommend Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover for its versatility on multiple surfaces and effectiveness in treating fresh and set-in stains. It is also safe for pets, according to Dr. Miller, and boasts a nice citrus scent that helps further mask odors from stains.
Sprinkle Baking Soda
Just sprinkle a bit of baking soda on your carpet before vacuuming, and you're good to go.
Generally speaking, the evaporation rate of vinegar is slower than that of water. At room temperature, the evaporation rate of vinegar is approximately 1.8 grams per hour per square meter. However, this rate can vary greatly depending on the environmental conditions.
Sprinkle Baking Soda and Spritz Vinegar
Then, use your spray bottle to spritz any stains with a mixture of one part water and one part vinegar. Always use white vinegar, as other types can cause discolouration on your carpet. Blot the stained areas with a paper towel.
You'll probably need to let it sit overnight, but the key is to wait until the vinegar has completely dried. As it dries, the smell of the vinegar should dissipate. Finally, you'll just need to vacuum up the baking soda. If there's more than a little left in the spot, you may want to scoop some of it up first.
Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.