Carpets often develop unpleasant odours over time, can harbour bugs and fleas, and stains in the carpet are often a pain to dislodge. It doesn't take long to clean your carpets with a few natural ingredients, helping keep your home a natural and clean environment to live in.

Stain removal
When removing stains, it is important to remember that applying heat will not remove the stain, but make it even harder to dislodge. Stains can also reappear if the stain is removed only on the top layer of the fibre, as it will seep back over time. To prevent this, after applying the cleaner put heavy weights on top of the area (with a towel between the carpet and heavy object) so that the cleaner soaks more thoroughly through to the base of the carpet. When removing stains, blotting is much more beneficial than rubbing, as the carpet will not be weakened and the stain will not soak in deeper.

The best single ingredient for stain removal is baking soda. Baking soda mixed with water in a 1:4 ratio can be sprayed on stains. Alternatively, soda water can also be sprayed on the area. Coffee stains can be covered with baking soda or salt after being blotted, and then left for half an hour before cleaning away with a vacuum cleaner. Despite leaving an odour in the carpet (which can be removed fairly easily with water) vinegar can also be used to attack coffee stains. Vary the strength of the vinegar according to how strong it is.

To remove pet urine stains, using dish washing liquid on the spot (after blotting) and then rinse with vinegar diluted with water. If your pet continues to urinate in a particular spot, the smell of vinegar will usually discourage him or her.

Wine stains are a pain to remove, but if treated quickly by blotting then covering the area with salt, most of the damage can be avoided. Clean the area with diluted vinegar. If the stain remains, try dampening the area and covering with baking soda, then vacuuming. Grease stains can be treated with a liberal sprinkling of baking soda, left over night then vacuumed. An alternative is corn starch, which can be used in the same way.

Deodorizing

To deodorize carpets, sprinkle baking soda fifteen minutes before vacuuming. Salt can also be used to strengthen the colour of the carpet and clean simultaeneously. It is easy to create a mixture of baking soda with added essential oils to created a scented cleaner, and cornstarch can be added to vary the consistency (blend well with the back of a spoon). Lavender oil is known to be a bug repellent, which makes it great to use during flea season, particularly when combined with citronella oil.

For removing and repelling fleas and bugs, a mix can be made with borax (1/2 cup), baking soda (1 and 1/2 cup). Sprinkle on carpets and rugs before vacuuming.