When used as a carpet cleaner, vinegar penetrates the carpet fibers and breaks down dirt, stains, and odors. The acidity of vinegar helps to neutralize alkaline substances, such as urine and pet stains, which can cause unpleasant odors and discoloration in carpets.
All you need to have is a pan (bucket, pan or other) to prepare the preparation, a few drops of soft soap, warm water and 3-4 cups of white vinegar. This should be a harmless solution, but always test a small and hidden part of the carpet to avoid damage (shrinkage, coloring, etc.)
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.
Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.
Although vinegar is an eco-friendly and useful substance, it's not appropriate for cleaning your carpet!
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.
A few DIY carpet stain remover recipes that work for most stains include: One tablespoon of dish soap, ¼ cup of white vinegar and water. One cup of baking soda, ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of natural dish liquid.
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.
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.
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.
Baking soda works like magic. All you need to do is to spread a thin layer of baking soda on the urine spot and leave it overnight or for at least six hours. Next, vacuum the area thoroughly. It's essential to make sure there are no remains of baking soda.
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.
"White vinegar is the most versatile choice for cleaning because it is clear and has a neutral scent," says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. "It's ideal for most cleaning applications, including descaling, disinfecting, and removing odors."
Baking soda will help freshen up both appearance and smell, and it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals – so you can feel good about your own well-being, your carpets, and the environment. And, if combined with another natural cleaning agent, vinegar, it can take care of even the toughest stains out there.
Avoid using white vinegar for cleaning marble, granite, and other natural stones, like slate. This includes countertops, floors, and shower walls with stone finishes, and household goods like tabletops or serving pieces.
Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can effectively remove dirt and odors from your carpet. To deep clean your carpet with vinegar, mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your carpet and let it sit for a few minutes to break down the dirt.
The longer you can allow the baking soda to sit, the better it can work to absorb odors; if you can leave it on the carpet for a few hours or even overnight, you'll really reap the benefits.
Unsealed grout or damaged grout: It can damage vulnerable grout or the area beneath. Natural carpets and rugs: Some carpet and rug fibres aren't compatible with vinegar – if in doubt, spot-check a discreet area before using a vinegar solution on your carpet or rug.
Baking soda is considered as one of the best carpet deodorizers. To use this carpet deodorizer powder, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the stinky area. Let it sit for 15 minutes for a quick fix and overnight for a deep clean.
The smell of vinegar is caused by acetic acid, which evaporates over time but can take a while to dissipate completely. This is why, even after cleaning with vinegar, the scent may remain in the air for some time. A carpet's porous nature allows it to absorb vinegar, retaining the odor inside the fibers.
For maximum stain-removing power, you should let the solution of vinegar and baking soda sit on your carpet for about 3 hours.
Put white or apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle along with some warm water (about one-half to one cup of vinegar for each gallon of water), and spray the area well. After spraying, let the area dry completely. Don't worry—the vinegar scent will dissipate, taking many other odors with it.
Cleaning vinegar and white distilled vinegar are very similar in their composition (namely, acetic acid and water), but the key difference lies in the acidity levels between the two. "Cleaning vinegar generally contains a higher acetic acid concentration than regular white vinegar," says Sokolowski.