Carpet Disinfectant Recipe (An Easy Cleaning Tutorial)

There are tons of disinfectants on the market, but many should not be used on carpets. However, since carpets can still get infected with germs and bacteria, having a way to disinfect them is important. You should always disinfect your carpet after pet accidents, contact with bodily fluids, or after spills from food and beverages. This tutorial will demonstrate step-by-step instructions on how to make — and use — a carpet disinfectant.

1. : Lightly sprinkle the area with baking soda and salt.

There is no need to cover the entire area — just a light dusting of baking soda and salt will work.

2. : Spray the area with a mixture of soap and water.

Mix together some warm water and a couple drops of dish liquid to make the soapy mixture. If you don't have a spray bottle, simply add a bit of the soapy mixture to the area that needs to be disinfected and allow it to sit for up to five minutes.

3. : Lightly scrub the area with a scrub brush.

Scrub the disinfected area with a scrub brush, moving in one direction. Remove any debris and discard.

4. : Use towels to absorb any moisture.

Use a towel (or towels) to soak up any moisture that is left behind by pressing the towel into the area — be sure to press without scrubbing. Continue this step until the area is only slightly damp.

5. : Dampen the area with water.

Spray the area with water — just enough to dampen the carpet. This step is used to rinse any soap, baking soda, and salt that may have been left behind.

6. : Dry with a towel.

Use a dry towel and repeat step four to absorb any moisture left behind. Let the area fully dry before allowing foot traffic on the carpet again.