I have four messy kids and a big dog. My carpets are downright gross much of the time, and I have really struggled with finding the time to keep those carpets clean. I am also one of the worlds biggest cheapskates and hate having to rent one of those Rug Doctor machines for shampooing. Not to mention that fancy-smanchy $20 bottle of carpet cleaning solution too. Then of course after spending all the money you get to only have the carpet cleaner machine for 24 hours which means a whole day of non-stop-sweaty-hard work shampooing. Not fun at all.
While I can’t help you with the work or the shampoo machine I can help you save money on the carpet cleaning solution!
Woo hoo!
You see, I have been making this super secret recipe for homemade carpet cleaner for about 4 years now. This formula was created by my amazing sister Tiffany – who tested many different homemade recipes and came up with this one. It works like a charm in my Bissel shampoo machine and makes your house smell amazingly awesome!
Disclaimer: make sure and read your instruction booklet that comes with your carpet cleaning machine for warranty information. Some machines warranties are no longer valid if you don’t use a certain type of cleaner with the product. AND of course, always test a small area of carpet for colorfastness before you do the whole floor.
Ingredients for my secret homemade carpet stain remover and cleaner are items you can find even at your local Dollar store! A little package of Tide laundry detergent, some oxiclean (or dollar store knock-off), Awesome cleaner, Downy fabric softener and some water.
PRICE BREAKDOWN:
The Rug Doctor concentrated formula runs around $19.59 for a 1/2 gallon.
For my homemade recipe I spent:
$.97 for the Tide packet (of which I used maybe 1/2 of, so $.50)
$3.97 for the Downy (of which I used $0.15 worth if that)
$1.00 for the Awesome cleaner (of which I used $0.15 if that)
$1.00 for the Oxiclean cleaner (of which I used .20 if that)
==> Grand total $1.00 for a GALLON of concentrated mix solution for carpet cleaning machines.
Yeah, that is some serious SAVINGS folks!!! Wow.
Now… I know what many of you are thinking.
These aren’t natural ingredients.
And I know most of my recipes have been more natural, and non-toxic for the most part. But I wanted to be honest and tell you that I use this one myself because it WORKS! It gets the stains out and when I have 24 hours to shampoo, I can’t afford to mess around with a homemade carpet cleaner recipe that doesn’t get the stains out.
Now if you really need to have an all-natural homemade carpet cleaner recipe that is non-toxic I will tell you I have tried out using vinegar, water, and some essential oils and it works very nicely too. Maybe not as amazingly awesome as this recipe above, but if the toxins are a worry for you this recipe for all natural homemade carpet cleaner solution works well.
But this is my absolute go-to recipe for homemade carpet cleaner for my Bissell machine.
Every time.
Here is a dark stain that was in my son’s room. Now you see the spot.
Then you don’t. Boom!
Best ever homemade carpet stain remover.
I love the way this cleaner works. And when you add in that teeny bit of Downy fabric softener it leaves your carpets sooo soft too.
By the way, this recipe makes a CONCENTRATED MIX just like the fancy $20 Bissell solution where you only add in like 1/4 cup of the solution to a gallon of water. So add in only a little bit of this solution each time you add water to your carpet cleaning machine. Or better yet just follow the instructions per your machine. Here is the recipe!
Homemade Carpet Cleaner for Machines — My secret recipe!
DIY Concentrated Carpet Cleaning Solution
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Liquid Tide Laundry Detergent
- 1/4 cup Awesome cleaner dollar store brand
- 1 scoop Oxiclean I used generic dollar store brand
- 1 teaspoon Downy Fabric Softener optional
- 1 gallon Hot Water
Instructions
MAKING THE SOLUTION
- In a large bowl or pitcher, combine the liquid Tide, Awesome cleaner, Oxiclean and downy if using. Stir together with spoon until well combined.
- Slowly pour the hot water into the cleaning solution gently, so you don't make too many bubbles. Stir slowly and gently until all particles are dissolved.
- Pour into a gallon-sized container. Label outside of container: Concentrated Carpet Cleaner
HOW TO USE SOLUTION
- Before you begin cleaning, make sure that your carpet has been thoroughly vacuumed.
- Read the directions that came with your carpet cleaning machine for how much cleaner to add as some reservoirs are smaller than others. For typical carpet shampoo machines, pour 1/4 cup of this concentrated solution into your carpet shampoo machine reservoir. Then fill the rest of the reservoir with hot water. (**The ratio I use is about a gallon of hot water to 1/4 cup of this concentrated cleaning solution.)
- Test this homemade carpet cleaner on a less visible area of flooring to make sure it's safe for your carpet and wait at least 24 hours for the test spot to dry to see the results.
- Then you can run the machine over your entire carpet, making sure to show special attention to stains or spots. Wait least 24 hours for the carpet to dry and you're done!
I have used this solution on my carpets, in the interior of my cars and even on couches. It works great and gets out the stains, which makes this mama very very happy.
Happy cleaning everyone! And happy saving money too.
I prefer this carpet cleaning solution to the brand name carpet cleaning solutions, this one smells good leaves the carpet & upholstery soft & clean like new
Fixing to try my Bissell spotclean. I found you and seen your video. I needed someone to watch so I could see how it actually worked first.. thanks.
I’m going to try this today! I have twin boys, a Maltese dog that likes to pee in protest to me leaving for work, and I’m just excited to try this.
Used this mix a few Months ago on an SUV interior with a Bissell pet stain attachment. I wish I could post before and after pictures. Amazing!
Actually used this last year in a Rug Doctor. Looked good but I wasn’t incredibly impressed because the dirty color seemed to return as the carpet dried.
Today I used it in a Bissell ProHeat that a neighbor gave me. I have 99c per square foot CREAM colored carpet that the previous owner left AND a new, untrained rescue hound. I mean these were vicious, acrid smelling stains.
Results are absolutely amazing. I am literally blown away. My personal tip is not to get TOO hung up about the ingredients. The Awesome and Oxy are the important bits, you can sub the others a bit depending on what you have around so long as you keep the ratios similar (but no bubbly stuff) Example : Today I didn’t have Tide I had a cheap purple laundry soap (didn’t really want purple carpet) so I used less of that and added in a tsp of Shout (that I did have) and a splash of Mr Clean! I definitely recommend the Downy / fabric softener (I use Suavitel)
My conclusion is that the Rug Doctor is less effective as a cleaning tool than something like a Bissell, or the concentration is too weak for a Rug Doctor so you would need to ramp it up a bit.
Hope this helps.
So glad you like it and I agree with your recommendations!
Ms. Karrie, help!
I decided I’d be all efficient and mix the main solution X3 in a jar without the water and add it to my Bissell with the water as I needed it. Now I have a giant swelling mixture that is kinda scaring me! I’m afraid to put a lid on it and I don’t have 3 gallon size containers to dilute it. Have you ever tried this? Am I in danger of it blowing its lid? LOL it seemed like the perfect idea for saving time later.
It should be diluted 🙂
Been my goto for a few years now. Really works on dog pee. Leaves a fresh scent with the downy also!
Oh my gosh. Thank you. I’ve been looking for something to work on animal urine as well
Does this work for dog urine odors?
Yes it does. 🙂
Yes totally!
I am assuming I could substitute one tide pod’s contents for the 2 tablespoons liquid laundry detergent? As all I have is tide pods…Thanks!
Hi, I think so, I’ve never used the pods in this recipe – You’d have to look at the concentration level I think and compare the two. Then just use less of the pod if it’s more concentrated.
I tried it and it left a white residue on my carpets. Now I have to go over them again
I have been using this recipe for two years. I have never had any problems. It’s so effective. For stubborn spots ice spray resolve on the stain. That’s about it. This formula works so well.
Awesome! I have a few stains in my carpet from my two dogs, that could really use some help. I will definitely look for it!
Used this for the first time. Did a really great job and I am hard to convence.
For best results, don’t put shampoo in the carpet machine. Soap attracts dirt, and when you put soapy water in the machine, it leaves the soap behind in the carpet. Which then attracts dirt.
For carpets that stay cleaner longer, pre-spray. Use a pump up sprayer like used for pesticides and pre-spray the area and let it sit for 5-10min but don’t let it dry. Then use only clean water in the machine. It works like a rinse to remove the soap and the dirt. Same for spots/stains pre-treat and then rinse with clean water. A rinse additive could also be added to the machine to counter act the soap.
Worked like a charm. Very impressed. I subsituted fabuloso for the awesome cleaner
So…I stumbled upon this when I realized I was out of carpet cleaner. I had everything but the Awesome Cleaner. A quick trip to the nearby Family Dollar took care of that.
I’m reserving final judgement until after it dries but as a person with a teenage son and three big dogs (one of whom likes to randomly throw up in my closet as protest for leaving), first impressions are extremely good.
So if you took the time to go out to buy Awesome, after you noticed you were out of carpet cleaning solution, why not just go by regular carpet cleaner? I bet most of you will be contacting your carpet machine company, to complain that your machine broke down and lie about what you really used.
Why are you even here if it’s just to judge people for using this? Also this recipe makes a gallon for like $5 vs the $20 bottle that is no where near the 1 gallon size
This comment is neither helpful or interesting.
I for one have used this exact recipe several times now and find that it is far more effective than commercially made carpet cleaning solution. The low cost is a bonus. And my carpet cleaning machine is still running strong 🙂
Can u use something other than tide I am allergic to it break out in hives severely
Of course you can. It’s laundry detergent. Use whatever brand you normally purchase. There is no true need to buy anything new. The really important part is that the solution doesn’t bubble or foam up. Too many suds will make for a fun kids day. 😍
I’d appreciate exact measurements, too.
Many thanks for posting this recipe. I’m anxious to try it! 🙂
Did you ever try it or find out the answer? I was hoping to use this solution in a rug doctor too.
I don’t have awesome cleaner and couldn’t find it near me. Can I use a mr clean multi surface cleaner?
No, Awesome works like a degreaser…so I wouldn’t..
Can this solution be used with a rug doctor carpet cleaning machine? I need to rent one and would love to use this recipe. Thanks!
What is Awesome Cleaner?
Google it, cheapest place is dollar tree
It’s a terrific cleaner! The full name is LA’s Awesome Cleaner. You can find it in almost any store. I use it all over my home and even to spot clean stains in my kids & husband’s clothes. My husband works on the cars and sometimes the oils get onto things around the house. LA’s Awesome gets it right out! I keep a large refill bottle on hand because you just never know. 🙂
Why wait 24 hours to dry? I’m m not sure I have that amount of time in any room.
LOL, put something on top when you need to walk on it.
She did post the measurements. Scroll up.
My Hoover has a separate container for cleaning solution. Do you have a break down for what to put in there? I know it mixes with water but wanted to make sure before I make a mess. Thanks!
It’s also a concentrate. I’m filling my machine as if this was the solution and using water in the water tank. Good luck!
We don’t have awsome cleaner, what can I use instead.
Measurements would be nice
Can I substitute vinegar for the Awesome Cleaner that I don’t have.
Vinegar won’t work the same as awesome cleaner unfortunately..