Home made carpet shampoo

[Third Day]

Do any of you ladies know how to make a good carpet shampoo out of inexpensive ingredients?
I am planning to rent a shampooer tomorrow, but the large bottle of shampoo costs $20.00 and I know it will not be enough to do all my carpets.
I have tried making my own before but end up with suds and bubbles everywhere. Carpet shampoo is not supposed to make suds. I need something that will freshen the smell of the house too.
Any ideas will be a blessing- thanks in advance!

[lovinlife4]

I don't really know other than using laundry detergent (the HE kind) it doesn't bubble as much and smells good. Or if you have light carpet you can buy the Wal-Mart brand shampoo and mix a little bleach in. Just a little into the hot water, We have really light carpet and this gets out stains and pet odors. The Wal-mart brand is about $12.00 compared to $20. Good luck.

[igglet]

We use Folex in our carpet cleaner. It's about $4 at Target and is marketed as a carpet spray stain remover. However, it doesn't produce suds at all and gets out ALL the stains. I can't stand using carpet shampoo on my carpet--the soap residue left behind attracts more dirt. Folex works great.

[KBKMNN]

I don't know how to make carpet shampoo, but I do love those carpet fresh powders. You can get them at the dollar store. Just sprinkle over the carpet and wait a bit and then vacuum. Some of them smell really good. Sometimes I get mine at Walmart since they have more of a variety.

[dow]

Okay I haven't tried this yet but I'm planning on doing it sometime this week. I've read all about steam cleaning with white vinegar + very hot water solution and I'm going to give it a try. That's about as cheap as you can get for carpet cleaning. It is supposedly better than using carpet shampoo/soap. So there's an idea.

[Betty]

my daughter uses vinegar in the washing machine as a fabric softer. I will have to try it in my carpet shampoo machine.
thanks,
betty

[lisa]

Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner. :nod
My folks use it for spots on their carpet - put it in a spray bottle.
Then they run the carpet steamer over it.
They don't put in any soap, just hot water.
Their carpets always look great.

[Cookies4me]

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/03/03aug04b.cfm
here ya go lades. I just found a bunch of advice here.
I am going to try the plain old vinegar. I hate cream carpets. :rolleyes

[Betty]

I hate cream carpets
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same goes for dark green carpet. shows everything. Why did we get a white cat instead of a dark green cat?:doh:aha

[Cookies4me]

I hate cream carpets
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same goes for dark green carpet. shows everything. Why did we get a white cat instead of a dark green cat?:doh:aha



I roll my eyes over it being cream carpet in a forest dwelling home. :lol Talk about stupid planning on the owners part.