Home Remedy for a Rug Cleaner

For the frugal and eco-conscious homeowner, cleaning rugs and carpets does not require the use of dangerous chemicals or specialized equipment. Common household products like cornstarch, cornmeal and white vinegar help clean, deodorize and remove stains.

Basic Maintenance

• Many homeowner prefer to deodorize and clean carpets a few times a year, especially in high-traffic areas. Sprinkle about 1 cup of cornstarch over the carpet in an average sized room. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and vacuum to remove reside, dirt, debris and odors.

Spot Cleaning

• To clean up spots on a rug, fill a spray bottle with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water, recommends the Earth Easy website. Spray this mixture on to the stain and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Use soapy water to clean up the vinegar and stain residue.

Large Spill or Stains

• Sometimes spills happen, flooding carpets with large stains too big for basic spot cleaning. Before reaching for a carpet cleaning machine, cover the spill with cornmeal, recommends the Earth Easy website. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes and use a broom to sweep up the remaining residue. Finish by running the vacuum over the rug.