DIY Homemade Cleaners: Carpet Freshener

43 Comments

1. Valley Girl Says...

   Does it matter what kind of essential oil I use?

   1. Jaye Says...

      most any herb/flower that smells good to you works. However, be careful if you have cats. Rosemary (a mint), thyme can cause serious health issues for them. I like using peppermint in the basement for controlling mice, however, I place it where the cat can’t go.

      For example, put peppermint oil on a cotton ball and tack it to a ceiling beam in the basement, or put a tiny dab on a light bulb.

      1. Sonia Says...

         What does putting a dab on a light bulb do?

         1. Becky Says...

            Post author

            Adds a little scent when the light bulb is turned on 🙂

2. L.L. Says...

   where can u buy essential oils? can u buy them in the store, like whole food’s and Stop & Shop?

   1. Jaye Says...

      Essential oils are usually found in natural food shops. They normally come in 1 oz bottles and can seem expensive at first, but a tiny bit goes a long, long way. I like using white pine, it brings sweet fresh scent of the woods inside. 🙂

3. Emily R Says...

   I’m excited about this. I have an off-white area rug in my living room which is the main traffic center of our home. It’s growing more off-white by the week. I don’t have a carpet cleaner and I feel like the one rug doesn’t justify the purpose. I’m going to give this a whirl! Thanks for the tip!

   1. Jess Says...

      Emily – Just an FYI this won’t clean your rug. It is just a freshener to help get odors out. You need something to actually clean the rug to get the dirt out (0:

   2. Jess Says...

      This is awesome Becky! I know what I will be giving as holiday gifts this year now! (0:

4. Jen Says...

   Just an FYI, no matter how much you vacuum you can’t get all this (or any powder) completely swept up. I did this twice with an area rug a couple years ago. I didn’t do it anymore b/c I kept having to sweep the powder up from the floor around it. I vacuumed over and over, but I still had powder everywhere. I finally got rid of the rug a couple weeks ago and only use liquid cleansers on carpet now.

   1. Becky Says...

      Post author

      I’ve never had a problem getting all the baking soda up, but it’s important to sprinkle just a little bit. xo, Becky

   2. Jessica Phay Says...

      Jen – Do you have a cheap vacuum? That may easily be your issue too! Baking soda should come right up for ya!

   3. Sara Says...

      Sometimes the suction on vacuums starts to diminish, they get dirty and clogged. I’ve googled ways to clean your vacuum and restore some of that suction power. So many of us just throw out perfectly good vacuums that just need a little cleaning. (sometimes they just need to be thrown out though) I’m of the frame of mind that you can’t get things clean if the things you use to clean are dirty! Hope that helps! 🙂

5. Angie Says...

   I would love to do this, however, the baking soda seems to clog up the filters on my vacuum. Any other ideas for the canister vacuum users?

   1. Becky Says...

      Post author

      Try a cotton ball or a tissue with a few drops of essential oil on it placed inside the canister to freshen up the room as you vacuum. Smells great and no clogging 🙂
      xo, Becky

6. Amy Wadsworth Says...

   I use the baking soda, but I mix it with ground nutmeg – it smells sooooo good!

   1. Becky Says...

      Post author

      Oh that’s a great tip, especially for the holidays!

7. Laketia Knight Says...

   I want to make my own carpet freshener, but I am having problems with finding a container or jar to put it in. Along with it having large holes to be able to pour out of. Where did you get your jar from? And what kind of top is that where you are able to take the center out and make your own shaker top? & how were you able to able to figure out the correct size of the DIY self shaker top.

   1. Becky Says...

      Post author

      I just used a canning jar, punched holes in cardstock for the top. Nothing special, but you can also use a clean parmesan cheese cheese shaker.
      xo, Becky

   2. CGreen Says...

      Use an empty parmesan cheese shaker container :). Comes equipped with the holes already on top!

8. Amanda Predmore Says...

   I have a question with a bit of story leading up to the question… My aging kitty was accidentally locked in our bedroom and subsequently he “went” on my tempur pedic mattress… we cleaned the best we could and turned the mattress so that the spot he went was at our feet so we wouldn’t smell it – for cat pee smell can be impossible to get out. Each night before going to sleep I put “Breath” and “Serenity” on my feet for breathing well and sleeping. Some months went by with this ritual and one Saturday when changing the sheets, I decided to smell the spot where Buddy went, and it didn’t smell AT ALL… and it of course smelled good but no hint of cat pee smell. This said, I started thinking about the issues around our home with Buddy “going” – which is generally furniture. We have lost 4 couches so far and countless other items. And starting thinking… and doing research… and as it turns out according to others’ testimonies is that citrus can deter cat naughtiness in the areas where they tend to go… not only do we want that, but also to do away with the smell. Here is, finally, the question… what mixture for a bit of dilution so that we don’t go through the lemon or orange oil so fast should I use…(that doesn’t need to be vacuumed up) I can’t just mix water with the lemon/orange oil – because it doesn’t mix… but it isn’t a mixture that I plan on mopping up – but spraying day after day until I don’t smell anything. Should I do just a drop of dish soap? I know this works well for spider killing… putting this out there to see if you are still answering questions on this! Thanks!

   1. Becky Says...

      Post author

      Amanda – I’m not sure what the best dilution is for day after day spraying. Just a couple drops should be good, but you’ll want to experiment with what works the best for you. xo, Becky

   2. Etta Says...

      Amanda I don’t know if you’re still checking but fractionated coconut oil would be a good carrier for the citrus oils, it’ll leave oil though if your spraying it and leaving it obviously. You could try the cotton ball trick and put a couple drops of oil on one and tack it somewhere close to where you are trying to deter the cat from but secured so it can’t be accidentally knocked around.

   3. Sara Says...

      I like Nature’s Miracle for getting rid of cat pee smell. I have two 17 year old cats. Accidents happen with the “old folks”. lol

   4. Claudia Says...

      Can you wash it? I bought a used couch years ago. Looked and smelled ok when I got it, but ugly, I planned on recovering it anyway, got it home….UGH cat pee!!!! I took it all apart– literally, and washed the cushions with a garden hose and Dawn, walking all over the cushions to get he soap in and rinsed. took hubby and I together to wring them out. It was a lot of work but the couch came out smelling great and looked just as good when I finished it. Not sure if this could be an option for a tempur pedic mattress though.

   5. DANELLE Says...

      I know this is a couple of years later Amanda but I recognize what brand of oils you are using (I use them myself!!)Anywhos…you can use on guard with water and spray on anything! It will take out stains, odors, and it disinfects!

   6. Melissa r Says...

      I use oilfield with water for room spray. Just shake vigorously before spraying.

      1. Melissa r Says...

         That should say oil mixed with water. Haha autocorrect fail.

   7. Carol Says...

      Sorry this is years after the question was asked but it might help others.
      Two things:
      A tiny dose of fluoxetine is sometimes prescribed to help stop a cat from urinating inappropriately. It is primarily an antidepressant used for humans in much larger doses, but has the bonus side effect of treating anxiety. My vet thinks it is the anti-anxiety part that benefits cats. I’ve used it for a new senior adopted kitty and it worked well.

      Same cat as above, before the Rx, wet several spots on my memory foam mattress. The best solution I found was a two parter. Hydrogen peroxide poured onto the spot and blotted firmly to dilute deodorize and remove the urine. Followed by 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Poured all over the wet area thoroughly, blot up. I use 91% alcohol because it has less distilled water and therefore evaporates much better than the higher dilutions such as 50% or 71%. Leave mattress uncovered and create as much air movement around it as possible. I used my central air, a huge air purifier, and the ceiling fan to help speed the evaporation. I cleaned it in the AM and it was dry enough to sleep on by the same night. I had no further problems with him rewetting the mattress, and the alcohol scent faded quickly.

9. Vicki Says...

   Amanda,
   My kitty got locked in a room once & peed on the carpet, I scrubbed the carpet, after it was dry I put baking soda on it & let it set a day. After I vacuumed it up I diluted scope/mint mouthwash in a spray bottle & sprayed the spot well. Reason I tried this in the first place was because our cat loved peppermint/candy canes & animals normally will not go where they eat, then I read that alcohol was the main ingredient used in those expensive animal urine cleaners & what is in mouthwash but alcohol. I found that it definetely worked for the smell & for detering anymore peeing as once they go somewhere they are likely to go there again even if the first time was an accident.

10. Marianne Says...

    I see all the ideas for kitty accidents what about keeping a puppy from soiling the carpets? He is being trained but with this winter weather it’s hard to let him out with such cold temps. I use the puppy pads, take him out as soon as he wakes, 30 min after he eats and all that the vet and the books recommend, my roommate is going bonkers for fear he will “ruin” the carpet. We rent our home and have approval from the landlord for the pets. Fairly new built home with builder grade carpet and of course it’s a light tan color.. red clay and light tan do not mix well..:-( thanks for any advice, Marianne

    1. Ashley Says...

       I ended up with 3 puppies all at the same time. Potty training one is hard enough much less 3. Needless to say we had accidents all the time. The best thing that I found to help with stains was a carpet spray. It is meant for pet stains. You spray it, let its sit and clean it up with a rag. I can’t think of the brand name right now but it can be found by the rest of the carpet cleaners. We also use a carpet freshener like this homemade one every time we vacuum. And don’t be discouraged about potty training 🙂 your puppy will pick it up eventually it just takes time 🙂

    2. Claudia Says...

       Worse comes to worse, either you lose your deposit, (as my son and his GF did) or you offer to replace the carpet.

11. Jennifer Guers Says...

    We have a Rainbow vacuum and using the baking soda isn’t an option for me. I take essential oils and put a few drops in the water before I vacuum.

12. A. Mac Says...

    Great post! Just found your awesome website Becky. When you have a sec, would love to hear your thoughts on Freshana Organic Solutions 100% natural, organic, safe and effective cleaning products and air purifiers as well. I think they’d be a great fit for you and your readers. Have a great day!

13. bailey Says...

    i have tea tree oil, but i understand i shouldn’t use that with a pet (i have one).

    i also have almond oil — can i use that? (avoiding going to the store/spending money….)

    thanks!

    1. Becky Says...

       Post author

       Almond oil isn’t an essential oil so you can’t use that – sorry!
       xo, becky

14. Tarah Says...

    So glad you use Doterra!!

15. mikayla Says...

    Do u think I could use this on my fabric couch?

    1. Becky Says...

       Post author

       Yes, test in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it works with your vacuum cleaner 🙂

16. Shelli Says...

    If you leave this under sink “opened”, not completely sealed, don’t you find the baking soda absorbs moisture and gets clumpy?

17. Mary Jo Sawyko Says...

    Is this the same as the sink cleaner? Love that!

    1. Becky Says...

       Post author

       YES! Mix up one jar and use it for a variety of uses 🙂