How to Clean a Rug With Baking Soda

Cleaning a rug with baking soda is one of the cheapest and most effective rug cleaning options. With only baking soda, water, and some elbow grease, you can get rid of stains caused by rug spills or pet accidents in your rug.

These tips will show you how to clean your rug with baking soda at home!

How Baking Soda Works As a Carpet Cleaner

Baking soda is the perfect choice for rug cleaning. It’s effective at removing stains and tough odors, it won’t damage your rug or leave any residue behind, and you probably already have some in your home.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive, and when moistened, it becomes even more powerful. This works well to scrub away dirt and stains from rugs without damaging the rug fibers or dyes. The baking soda crystals are small enough not to damage carpet fibers or leave any residue behind once you rinse them out of your rug after cleaning with baking soda.

When combined with water, baking soda also acts as an alkali which helps lift grease stains off rugs easily just by applying some moisture before using the baking powder solution on your rug! You can use this method for tough smells in carpets too.

Why Use Baking Soda On The Carpet?

How to Clean a Rug With Baking Soda?

Baking soda is a perfect choice for rug cleaning because it won’t leave any residue behind and is safe to use. Baking soda rug cleaners are more affordable than most other rug cleaning solutions, and you probably already have some baking soda in your home.

Since all-natural homemade rug cleaner recipes call for baking powder as an ingredient, we’ll be using the terms ’baking soda’ and ’baking powder’ interchangeably throughout this guide on how to clean rugs with baking powder.

If you’re looking for rug tips about how to remove stains from carpets best or freshen up your carpet smell then learning how easy it is to make DIY rug shampoo from natural ingredients can save you time & money.

Pros of Using Baking Soda for Rug Cleaning

Baking soda is eco-friendly and natural carpet cleaner.

Baking soda is a rug cleaning solution that’s safe for your rug but it may not be powerful enough to remove tough stains or odors.

For example, baking soda rug shampoo will work well on most household rugs and carpets at home.

Here are some additional advantages of using baking powder as a rug cleaner:

  • Affordable alternative — Baking soda can save you money over commercial rug cleaners. Although other homemade alternatives are often cheaper, baking soda costs less than many store-bought products while still being effective!
  • Safe & Natural — Is there anything better than all natural ingredients? No toxins here, which again makes this rug cleaner a safe choice.
  • No residue — Baking soda will not leave a sticky residue on your rug, and it won’t damage the rug or dye. The baking soda crystals are small enough that they’ll scrub away dirt without damaging fibers in carpets or rugs.
  • Single-ingredient solution — One of the best things about using baking powder for cleaning rugs is how simple it is to mix up a batch of rug shampoo from just one ingredient: baking soda. You can add essential oils if you want some scent but vinegar works great too, so read below for instructions on homemade rug shampoo recipes with both ingredients!

Cons of Using Baking Soda

Baking soda rug shampoo is an affordable rug cleaning solution, but it may not be powerful enough to remove tough stains or odors. There are some additional disadvantages of using baking powder as a rug cleaner:

  • Not strong, commercial alternative — If you have heavy-duty carpet problems, this isn’t going to cut it. For example, if your rug has a pet smell that won’t go away with regular spot cleanings and vacuuming, then you’ll want more than just baking soda for rug cleaning power.
  • Not a rug shampoo substitute — Using baking soda on carpets and rugs will not be as effective as rug shampoos with enzymes. Baking powder rug cleaners are better for refreshing the smell of your rug or freshening it up without removing stains but if you have serious carpet cleaning problems, then we recommend checking out our guide about how to deep clean carpet here.

To sum it all up, baking soda rug cleaner will work well on most household rugs and carpets at home, but there may still be some areas that need specialized treatment from commercial products.

How to Use Baking Soda as a Natural Carpet Cleaner

To use baking soda on rugs, do the following:

  1. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda directly onto your rug. Make sure to avoid spilling it over the edge since that can make a mess! Use about two cups for every square yard of rug space. You’ll want to leave this mixture in place while you clean and then let it sit overnight if possible before vacuuming up any excess powder or residue.
  2. Mix one cup water with half a cup vinegar and add three tablespoons of baking soda (or just put these ingredients into an empty spray bottle). Shake gently until all ingredients are combined well enough to be evenly distributed throughout the liquid solution. Then take out your cleaning rag and wipe away stains & odors with the rug shampoo solution.
  3. Once your rug is clean, you can sprinkle a little more baking soda onto the rug to freshen up its smell. For really tough pet stains or odors, check out our article about how to get rid of dog urine odor here. Just be aware that vinegar might discolor certain carpets, so it’s best not to use this recipe on delicate fabrics like wool rugs. If you have some light-colored silk rugs, try mixing two cups of water and one cup of white distilled vinegar instead of just half a cup for lighter cleaning power and some scent from essential oils.

Remember: always spot test first if you’re concerned about colorfastness before using rug shampoo on any carpet.

Removing Grease Stains

To clean up rug stains other than dirt, you can also use baking soda rug shampoo to get rid of grease spots on your carpet.

Grease is one type of stain that quickly soaks into fabrics and it’s tough to remove with regular cleaning. Fortunately, the anti-grease properties in baking soda rug cleaner will do a great job at removing sticky or oily substances from carpets while leaving no residue behind.

  • Mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap (avoid using detergents since they may contain oils) with four cups of water and add three tablespoons of vinegar for every gallon of solution. Add half a cup of baking soda instead if you don’t have any vinegar around but keep in mind this recipe won’t be as strong against stubborn oil stains and odors.
  • Then use a cleaning rag to wipe away the grease from your rug. For best results, let the mixture soak into any stained areas for at least thirty minutes before wiping it off with a cloth or sponge, then rinse the rug well and blot dry once again.

Removing Pet Odors and Smells from Carpet

Remove pet odors from a rug with baking soda.

Baking soda is a natural way to remove dog pee and other pet odors from carpets!

Just sprinkle baking powder rug cleaner onto any stained areas, then let it sit for at least thirty minutes before vacuuming up excess powder.

Try baking soda rug solution on tough stains caused by dogs urinating or marking territory indoors — that will help neutralize the smell until your pup gets trained better (or you find him another home).

After you’re done cleaning your rug with baking soda, just leave a small amount of dry baking soda residue behind to keep away bad smells and absorb moisture from humid air.

Be sure not to overuse this technique though, since too much baking soda might make your carpet look dirty after a while (especially if you have pets). Also, avoid using tartar cream regularly because that will damage fibers within low-quality carpets and rugs.

How to Clean Carpets Using Both Vinegar and Baking Soda

  • Mix one cup water with half a cup vinegar and add three tablespoons of baking soda (or just put these ingredients into an empty spray bottle). Shake gently until all ingredients are combined well enough to be evenly distributed throughout the liquid solution. Then take out your cleaning rag and wipe away stains & odors with the rug shampoo solution.
  • After you’ve cleaned your rug, sprinkle a bit more baking soda on it to refresh its fragrance. It’s important to keep in mind that vinegar may damage certain carpets, so don’t use this remedy on delicate fabrics like wool rugs. If you have any light-colored silk rugs, consider using two cups of water and one cup of white distilled vinegar instead of half a cup to get more cleaning power as well as fragrance from essential oils.

Remember: always spot test first if you’re concerned about colorfastness before using rug shampoo on any carpet.

Vacuum your rug thoroughly and dry it completely after washing.

Why Use a Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar?

  • Baking soda rug shampoo is an all-natural alternative to conventional rug cleaners, so it’s safe to use around your family, especially children and pets. This recipe will also work on wool rugs since baking soda won’t damage fibers (unlike detergents or other chemical rug shampoos).
  • Vinegar rug solution can remove smells & dirt from carpet much easier than using just baking soda alone. That makes vinegar a great ingredient in any homemade rug shampoo because it cuts through stains like grease while neutralizing odors left behind by dog pee or food spills.

FAQ

Can Baking Soda Damage Carpets?

No, baking soda rug cleaner is completely safe for use on all types of carpets.

Baking soda will not harm your rug in any way unless you soak it for days or weeks at a time (which isn’t necessary when cleaning rugs).

Does Baking Soda Discolor Carpet?

No, baking soda rug cleaner will not discolor your rug unless you leave it on for too long (which isn’t necessary when cleaning rugs). Just be aware that vinegar might cause some color fading over the years so avoid using too much tartar cream if you have light-colored carpets.

Remember: always spot test first before washing any carpet to check for damage or colorfastness.

Will Baking Soda Bleach My Carpet?

No, baking soda rug shampoo will not bleach any color out of your rug unless you use too much (which isn’t necessary when cleaning rugs).

Does Baking Soda Kill Bacteria on Carpet?

Yes! Baking soda rug shampoo is a great way to kill any bacteria, germs or odors on your rug without using toxic chemicals.

Is Baking Soda Good For Carpet Stains?

Yes! Baking powder rug shampoo is a great way to remove stains & odors from any rug so it’s safe for both kids and pets.

Can I Mix Baking Soda With Other Ingredients?

Yes, you can add rug shampoo to any homemade carpet cleaner recipe that calls for baking soda.

Simply mix two cups of water and one cup of vinegar along with essential oils (optional) until you get a smooth consistency similar to pancake batter, then apply directly onto stains without soaking the whole rug just like regular rug shampooing. Let sit overnight, then vacuum once fully dried.

Can Baking Soda Be Harmful To My Health?

No, baking soda rug shampoo is completely safe for you and your family even if ingested.

Just remember to keep kids & pets off the rug until it dries because vinegar might irritate their eyes or skin (which isn’t necessary when cleaning rugs).

Can I Vacuum Baking Soda with My Dyson?

Yes! Just make sure to empty the canister and rinse out any residue before using rug shampoo with baking soda because vinegar might irritate your eyes or skin (which isn’t necessary when cleaning rugs).

Will Baking Soda Pull Urine Out Of Carpet?

Yes, rug shampoo with baking soda is a great way to remove odors from any rug, especially pet urine stains.

Is It Ok to Leave Baking Soda on Carpet Overnight?

No, you should not leave baking soda on your rug overnight. This is a common myth that many people have heard of and it simply isn’t true at all. Baking soda can be used as a cleaning agent for rugs because of its absorbency, but leaving baking soda on carpets will make them smell like powder which may become overbearing to some people. In addition to this, if left too long without being vacuumed up or removed from the rug completely, baking soda could cake onto carpet fibers where it would be difficult to remove later down the line.

If you want to use baking soda to clean out your rug, we recommend sprinkling a thin layer across the entire surface area before vacuuming thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. This way, the rug will be infused with baking soda, which can then break up dirt and other particles that have been embedded into the fibers over time. If you don’t want to use a vacuum cleaner or if your rug is too large for a machine to handle on its own, you could sprinkle it evenly across the entire rug area before brushing vigorously using a stiff-bristled brush.

This should remove all of the baking soda from the surface along with any lingering stubborn stains as well as odors such as smoke residue and pet urine smells. It may take multiple passes in order for this cleaning method to work properly but keep at it until there are no more visible signs of powder anywhere within your rug’s design patterns.

Is it safe to walk on a rug that has baking soda?

Yes, you can walk on a rug that has baking soda sprinkled across the surface. However, make sure to break up any clumps of baking powder before walking all over it so this doesn’t cause too much pressure within your rug, which could lead to damage down the line.

Final Thoughts

When you are done with the rug, it will look fresh and new. Your rug should smell much better when using baking soda to clean rugs too.

Make sure that you do not leave any residue behind after cleaning your rug because the baking soda can have a drying effect on carpets over time if left in place for too long.

If possible, try to remove as much of the powder from your rug before vacuum cleaners suck away what is left. Once again, though, remember that this process takes some elbow grease, so don’t expect overnight magic results!

However, the good news is that since both vinegar and baking soda are natural substances, there’s no worry about them being toxic or hazardous in any shape or form (for humans at least).

author Hello, I'm Christine and I am the rug critic! My husband and I used to run a local rug cleaning business for 9 years but recently we had to sell out of the business due to the ill health of my husband. I have now decided to start the rugcritic.com as a blog to share my tips, tricks and how to's when it comes to buying rugs, rug cleaning and care tips and ensuring you buy the right rug for you, your house, your family and your pets.

Categories Rug Cleaning & Care

1 thought on “How to Clean a Rug With Baking Soda”

  1. Christine,
    Can you put a solution of baking soda in a Bissell rug shampooer?
    we have a bad urine stains and odor from our little dog.
    Thank you.
    Bill Rose

    Reply

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