CLEANING carpets is a job I tend to put off because I worry about the chemicals involved and the effect on my kids if I miss a patch while I'm vacuuming.
But then a friend suggested I look at the natural alternatives and there are some quite good ones out there.
You can make a natural carpet freshener using your favourite essential oil and baking soda.
Add 15 drops of oil to a cup of bicarbonate soda and give it a good stir with a fork.
Place it in a clean jar with a lid that's had lots of holes punched in it, then sprinkle the mixture over the carpet.
Let the powder sit on the carpet for an hour or so, then vacuum.
Kids and carpet are a dangerous mix that can end up in stains. If those stains include wee or poo you'll need a combination of bicarb soda and vinegar to remove the stain. Mix one cup of vinegar, one cup of water and half a cup of bicarb soda and place the mixture in a spray bottle.
Blot the "accident" with dry paper towel, spray the mixture on the stain, blot the excess and allow the patch to dry.
Non-stinky stains can be treated with a paste made from half a cup of salt, half a cup of borax and half a cup of vinegar.
Rub the mixture into the stain using a clean white towel, leave it to dry for a few hours then vacuum off the power.
Always test your mixture on small, hidden areas of your carpet to make sure it doesn't damage it further.
