#carpethacks

Carpets add beauty to our house interior, but they also trap dirt, stains, and smells. If your carpet is looking worn or smells bad over time, don’t rush to replace it or spend big on professional cleaning. You can get great results with a few simple and affordable DIY carpet cleaning hacks.

These tips will help you clean deeper, remove odours, and bring your carpet back to life—all with items you likely already have at home.

1. Start with a Deep Vacuuming

Before you do anything else, give your carpet a thorough vacuum. Go slowly, and make multiple passes in high-traffic areas. Use the crevice tool around baseboards and corners.

Why is this step important?

Vacuuming removes surface debris and lifts dirt from the carpet fibres, making all your other cleaning efforts more effective.

Tip: Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet before vacuuming to help absorb surface odours.

2. Try a Homemade Deep-Clean Solution

No need for store-bought cleaners. You can make a safe and effective solution at home:

DIY Carpet Cleaner Recipe

1 cup warm water

1 tablespoon dish soap

1 tablespoon white vinegar

Optional: a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemon)

Mix well and pour into a spray bottle. Lightly mist stained or dirty areas and gently blot with a clean microfiber cloth.

Why it works:

Vinegar breaks down grime, while dish soap lifts grease. It’s gentle on most carpets, but always do a spot test first.

3. Remove Odours with Baking Soda and Essential Oils

If your carpet smells musty, this trick can help.

What to do:

Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 10–15 drops of essential oil

Sprinkle the mix evenly over your carpet

Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (longer is better)

Vacuum thoroughly

Why it works:

Baking soda absorbs odours naturally. Essential oils leave behind a light, fresh scent.

Best oils for odour removal: Tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, lavender

4. Use Steam to Refresh and Sanitise

If you have access to a steam cleaner or carpet machine, use it for a deeper clean. You can often rent one from a local store or borrow from a neighbour.

No machine?

Place a damp cloth over a small stained area and press with a hot iron (on steam setting) for 10 seconds. The heat lifts stains and freshens fibres.

Caution: Always test a small spot first to avoid damage.

5. Handle Pet Accidents with Enzyme Power

Pet stains and odours need extra care. An enzyme-based cleaner breaks down organic materials such as urine or vomit.

If you don’t have one on hand:

Blot the spot with paper towels

Clean with the vinegar mix above

Then sprinkle baking soda

Let it sit overnight and vacuum in the morning

For serious pet issues, a dedicated enzyme cleaner is the best long-term solution.

Final Tip: Keep It Up

DIY carpet cleaning is great, but regular care helps prevent buildup.

Easy habits to follow:

Vacuum weekly

Take your shoes off indoors

Treat spills right away

Deodorise monthly with baking soda

Conclusion

You don’t need fancy machines or harsh chemicals to get cleaner carpets. With these easy DIY carpet cleaning hacks, you can remove deep dirt and nasty smells using things from your kitchen. Your carpet will look fresher, smell better, and last longer.