How to clean a carpet with baking soda – in 3 simple steps

Carpets are a wonderfully plush addition to any home, but they are one of the more difficult floor coverings to keep clean and fresh.

Using something from your baking cabinet to deep clean a carpet doesn't sound logical, but this powerful powder is one of the best deodorizers and is readily available in supermarkets.

Here, cleaning experts have explained why cleaning carpets with baking soda is so effective, and share the best methods to try at home.

How to clean a carpet with baking soda  

Cleaning with baking soda might seem like a miraculous green-cleaning solution, but the results are backed up by science.

Baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural highly alkaline crystalline salt mined from the earth, more often than not, in Wyoming*. The alkaline properties mean it is ideal for neutralizing acidic molecules (such as those that cause odor, which is why people often use baking soda in closets to keep musty smells at bay), while its gentle abrasiveness helps to fight grease molecules without damaging delicate surfaces.

Baking soda works so well because, unlike some synthetic compounds, it removes odors and particles, rather than simply covering them up. This means the source of your problem, be it a smell or stain, is tackled at the root, rather than simply disguised.

With that in mind, this is how to carpets with baking soda.

You will need:

• Baking soda: available on Amazon
• Scrubbing Brush: such as this brush set from Amazon
• The best vacuum cleaner
• Optional: a sifter jar
• OPTIONAL: a dehumidifier

1. Vacuum first

Before using any baking soda cleaning tips on carpet or upholstery, you should begin by thoroughly vacuuming the area to help lift any loose debris and clear space for the baking soda. When deep cleaning a carpet, I like to vacuum my carpets and clean area rugs slowly, working in straight (somewhat) precise lines to make sure I don't miss any sections. Utilizing a vacuum with a beater brush also makes a world of difference.

I recommend that you miss this step if the area you are cleaning is already damp, however, such as in the case of a leak or spillage. Unless you have the best wet-dry vacuum, you risk sucking up liquid that can damage your vacuum for good.

2. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda

Now comes the messiest part of the project – actually sprinkling the baking soda.

For this cleaning tip to work, you need to sprinkle a nice even layer across the entire area you wish to clean, be it the whole carpet, or a small stained section of a rug. I find that moving all of my furniture out of the way beforehand makes this step easier and prevents any baking soda from settling on the upholstery. Although you can clean upholstery with baking soda, cleaning the carpet is a big enough task on its own.

While I have had no problems dishing out baking soda using my fingers, you might find that using a sifter jar, from Walmart is more convenient, especially if you are covering large areas.

Let the baking soda sit for as long as you can. Generally, you want to leave it for at least 30 minutes to help deodorize the carpet, and up to overnight for tougher odors and carpets that have not been deep cleaned recently.

When the time is up, I try to brush away the majority of the powder using a dustpan and brush before turning to the vacuum so that my appliance doesn't have to work as hard. It takes a little more effort, but it allows me to check over areas of the carpet for lingering stains.

3. Use a baking soda paste for stains

If stains persist, you can try mixing baking soda and water to create one of the best homemade carpet cleaner solutions more traditionally used when using baking soda in laundry says David Oknin, manager and restoration expert at The Restoration Group.

‘When combined with water, baking soda creates a soft, abrasive paste that can be used to scrub away stuck-on dirt and deodorize the carpet,’ he explains.

‘To use baking soda to clean a carpet, first, apply a sprinkling of baking soda over the mark, allowing it to sit for a moment to absorb any moisture, before spraying with warm, not hot, water to form a paste. Scrub this into the carpet using a stiff-bristled brush before allowing it to sit for once again 10 to 15 minutes. After, simply scrape up any residual paste, vacuum, and leave to dry.’

Despite its general effectiveness, baking soda is not a definitive carpet-cleaning product, and may not deliver the desired results when tackling heavy or hard-set stains, Ahmad Shehada, cleaning expert at CleanersAdvisor, warns. ‘Professional cleaning may be necessary in such cases,’ he says.

'What’s more, you should always test any cleaning method or solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't damage or discolor your carpet.’

4. Dry thoroughly

Baking soda does a wonderful job at absorbing a lot of moisture from carpets, however, may not solve any underlying dampness in the underlay or any wet patches left behind by a baking soda scrub. This is something I learned the hard way when I used baking soda to soak up a wet spot in the corner of my bedroom and ended up with mold one week later.

What the area needed was good ventilation (without furniture getting in the way) to help the carpet layers dry. This can be done by clearing the area and opening windows and interior doors. In the end, however, I invested in a good dehumidifier to draw out moisture and discourage settling mold spores.

FAQs

How long do you leave baking soda on wet carpet?

Is you are using baking soda to absorb moisture from a wet carpet, sprinkle over an even layer and allow it to sit undisturbed for at least half an hour and up to overnight. The baking soda will absorb excess moisture and remove any lingering odors with it. Then, brush away the majority of the powder before vacuuming up the rest.

Does vinegar and baking soda remove old stains from carpet?

A mixture of baking soda and white vinegar can help to remove stains from a carpet. One of the best ways to remove stains is to sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the stain before spraying it liberally with plain white vinegar. The foaming action will help to lift debris and stain particles to make the stain easier to scrub away. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before blotting with a damp cloth or paper towel. You may need to wipe the area with a damp cloth and plain water to remove any lingering residue or vinegar smell. Allow to dry fully to prevent musty odors of mold.

Is it safe to vacuum baking soda?

Whether or not baking soda damages vacuum cleaners largely depends on the make and model of vacuum you have and how often you use it to vacuum baking soda and other fine dust and particles. Many cleaning experts attest to their vacuums coping with baking soda very well, with little to no break downs, however, many manufacturers, including big hitters like Dyson, recommend avoiding using any vacuum (be it bagged, cyclone, or even vacuums with HEPA filters) to suck up loose baking soda.

The reasons for this are varied, from the oxidizing power of baking soda possibly damaging the vacuum metal components if left for too long, to the fine dust clogging up filters, gradually reducing suction power. However, this is something that learning how to clean a vacuum filter can often overcome.

The long and short of the matter is baking soda, when vacuumed up regularly and left inside the vacuum for too long may result in damage over time. As such, it is always important to consult the manufacturer's manual before using your vacuum, and vacuum at your own risk.

Overall, using baking soda to clean a carpet is a brilliant, all-natural way to clean your own carpets at home without heavy machinery. Although not perfect for old or very tough grease stains, it is a great all-rounder for deodorizing and removing the majority of stains quickly for a fresh finish.

*Wyoming Mining Association, Trona