Non-toxic way to steam clean carpets?

[martiesmom]

Does anyone know a way to do this? I need to clean our dirty carpet with mystery stains in it and I'd like to do it in non toxic manner. I'm really afraid of the chemicals that are in the commercial cleaning solutions. Plus I don't want to hurt the carpet cleaner too.

This is why I hate carpets. Sigh.

TIA!!

[Groundhog]

Don't you love mystery stains? We have a Hoover SteamVac thingy and I rarely use the commercial cleaner.

What I have used:

Dr. Bronner's liquid peppermint soap
Shaklee's Basic H (household cleaner)
OxyClean
just hot water
vinegar

I have used these independently of each other and in various combinations, especially Basic H and OxyClean. I always heat the water on the stove, not to boiling, but hot tap water is too cold by the time it gets to the carpet.

I'm always open to new ideas, too.

[zen_bliss]

i use either HOT water & vinegar, or enzymatic cleaners in the Hoover SteamVac & the little Bissell, powdered stuff from the pet supply catalog. how about Bi-o-Kleen Bac-Out? i love that stuff!

[FreeRangeMama]

I just added a little washing soda and my carpet came out looking quite bright! Before steaming I sprayed on a home made cleaner of liquid soap, washing soda, and hot water (with a little tea tree added) on all the stains and let it sit for 20 min. The carpet looked great for about a week -- until the next spill (dh spills EVERYTHING on our poor carpet, thankfully ds is much neater than his daddy LOL).

HTH
Laurie

[martiesmom]

I believe that I've identified some of the stains as grease stains (must've been tracked in w/ the stroller) on my carpet. Do you think these will work on grease too?

Now I know I have to get the carpet super great looking b/c we are moving and I have a feeling the landlord is going to inspect every little stain. I guess I could use a chemical cleaners right before we leave since M will be at our new place. But a part of me wouldn't feel right if a family were to move in right after us with toddlers.

[FreeRangeMama]

The best thing I have found on grease or oil type stains is dishsoap. It has stuff in it to break down cooking grease so it is effective for that kind of thing. Its not all natural (I don't know if the all natural type would work) but it isn't toxic like carpet cleaner so its definitely the better alternative of the two. If you applied it directly to the stains and worked it in really good before steaming it should help break down the staining. Can't say for sure it would work, but that is what I would try

Laurie

[stirringleaf]

i bought one of those hand held carped steamers, cuz we rent too, and our carpets were brand new when we moved in....i have found that just water does an amazing job. for whatever soap you end up using, you COULD just put a tiny diluted amount on the grease stain only, and let is soak, then suck it up. no need to put soap in the steam vac, IMO....you can just use water. i use natural laundry stain removers. test a small hidden patch of carpet fisrt, but i used "Bio Pac laundry stain remover" on my carpet (i diluted it) and it worked really well. however, it DID seem to look lighter where i used it, but i am wondering if that is cuz my whole carpet is sorta dirty looking, so its not lightened, just cleaner. it was pretty subtle, and now i cant see the lighter spots at all..if you are renting a big steam vac and doign the whole carpet, this might not matter at all , since it will ALL look lighter when you are done...and be more even because of that.

for what its worth, .i am trying BAC OUT next time, it says its OK on carpets. (simply because i just bought some for other cleaning needs)