How to Make a Nontoxic Carpet Cleaner

Increasing public awareness about the impact of chemicals on the environment offers motivation to find natural alternatives that are safer for the human body. Clean carpets enhance the home environment, and the cleaners we use to maintain them don't have to be toxic.



The Montana Pollution Protection Program warns that carpet cleaners may contain ingredients implicated in reproductive harm, cancer, respiratory disorders as well as known eye and skin irritants. You can make your own, non-toxic carpet cleaners for a healthy home.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Cornmeal
• Dry bay leaves (optional)
• Clove spice powder (optional)
• Small empty box, such as a baking soda box

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Instructions

• 1

  Mix 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 cups of cornmeal per room. Double or triple the recipe, if needed for more than one room. If desired, add five crumbled bay leaves and 1 tbsp. clove powder to help counteract odors.

• 2

  Pour the dry carpet cleaner mixture in a box, such as an empty baking soda box or plastic storage container.

• 3

  Shake the mixture over the carpet, making sure any damp spots have completely dried before applying. Start in one corner of the room and shake a thin layer of the non-toxic carpet cleaner over the entire carpet. Allow it to sit for at least an hour, then vacuum. For heavy odors, leave the mixture on the carpet overnight.