Cleaning Carpets...please help...

[BelCanto]

Hi--

I live in an appt with wall-to-wall carpet and wanted to have my carpets cleaned last summer before the arrival of my DD but hesitated b/c of the chemicals, and did not have it done. Now that she is beginning to become more mobile, I really NEED to clean them, but again, hesitate bc of chemicals.

I read that someone mentioned cleaning carpets with vineager. How does that work? What type of cleaning machine would I need? Do I just use vineager? How does vineager clean?

Thanks so much for your help!!!!

Sincerely,
Jennifer

[Jazmommie]

I use Seventh Generation Carpet Cleaner for spots & even used it in a cleaning machine(my Kirby vaccum)
It is non-toxic-hydrogen peroxide & citrus oil mostly
www.seventhgen.com
I got mine for $3.99 at my health food store

[Aster]

Well, just like with cleaning anything else it's the water that does most of the work.

We own a carpet cleaner--it wasnt terribly expensive and i love having it handy for spills or whatever. I wish i could say that i shampoo the carpets at least once a month, but it's usually not that often.

Before child i used to use a cleaning mixture made up of one part each of vinegar, dishsoap and ammonia. There's a little measuring cup that comes with our machine, and i just fill it up.

Now i just fill the cup with vinegar. Or i use one scoop of oxiclean per tank of hot water. Vinegar's edible so i dont worry about toxicity there. Oxiclean is supposed to degrade into oxygen and soda ash--seems pretty safe (if it's not safe someone please let me know!!!). If the carpet gets really dirty i just go over it again--it's really the water that does most of the work anyways.

[guestmama9924]

Re: Cleaning Carpets...please help...

Originally posted by BelCanto
I read that someone mentioned cleaning carpets with vineager. How does that work? What type of cleaning machine would I need? Do I just use vineager? How does vineager clean?

I do that. I have a Hoover Steam Vac from Sears. Instead of the harsh soap ( which I have used, and was not that impressed anyhow) I use really hot water as called for, 1/2 C of vinegar, and a few drops of some essential oil to freshen the smell. The vinegar smell does evaporate, so if you do that, don't be overwhelmed and think you will have a smelly room. I use Sweet Orange oil or Lemongrass, both seem to freshen nicely. I do the same on my tile and concrete floors too.

[BelCanto]

Thanks all for your input!!

--Jennifer