The cost of cleaning supplies add up quickly, particularly in today’s stressed economy. Many people feel that they have no alternative to paying high prices for cleaning supplies, fortunately that is not the case. Many cleaning supplies can be made both easily and inexpensively with ingredients you probably already have on hand. One such easy to make cleaning supply is carpet freshener.
I developed the following recipe after I discovered I had just run out of Arm and Hammer baking soda carpet freshener. I had guests that would be arriving soon and my carpet was in definite need of freshening. So I took a look at my empty container of commercial stuff and saw that the main ingredient, which was responsible for deodorizing the carpet was baking soda. So I began developing the recipe by sprinkling plain baking soda on my carpet and then waiting several minutes before vacuuming it up.
The baking soda was good at deodorizing my carpet but I still missed the pleasant fragrance found in commercial brands of carpet freshener. As time went on I developed a recipe that results in a great carpet deodorizer that is easy to customize for both your cleaning needs and your scent preferences.
You will need the following tools and containers to make the recipe: Rubbermaid or other brand plastic shoebox size container (I have children so I vacuum a lot if you do not have a lot of traffic on your carpet feel free to halve or even quarter the recipe and store it in a smaller container) with a tight fitting lid; a large wooden spoon for stirring and a measuring cup.
You will also need the following ingredients to make the recipe: (9) 1 lb. boxes of baking soda (feel free to use generic baking soda it works just as well as the more expensive name brand kinds); 2 cups of cornstarch. Optional ingredients for scenting: 2 cups scented talcum powder; dried flowers such as rose or lavender and / or citrus fruit peels such as orange or lemon; some of your favorite essential or fragrance oils.
Begin making the recipe by combining the baking soda and cornstarch in your plastic container. Stir mixture with the wooden spoon until the mix looks relatively uniform. if you do not like fragrance in your cleaning products then your carpet freshener is ready for use. if you would like to add scent to your new cleaning product follow the instructions below.
To scent the freshener with scented talcum powder simply mix the powder in with the rest of the ingredients, replace the lid and allow the mixture to set for a few minutes before using.
To scent the freshener with flowers or citrus peels simply spread out the additives of your choice on the top of freshener. Replace the lid and allow the mix to cure for a few days. You may also wish to use 1/2 cup of sea salt in this recipe to help preserve the additives you placed on the freshener. After the mixture has cured for a few days remove the flowers and peels. Stir the mix thoroughly and replace the lid; your freshener is now ready to use.
To scent the freshener with essential oils it is very important that you do not add the oils directly to the mixture as these oils will cause clumps in the freshener and can even stain your carpet. Instead use a few teaspoons of the essential oil of your choice to scent rice; then place the rice on a piece of sturdy yet breathable cloth. Pull the corners of the cloth together, twist and secure with a twist tie. Place your makeshift sachet in the box with your freshener, replace the lid and allow the mixture to cure for a few days. After the mixture has cured remove the sachet and stir the freshener. Replace the lid on the box and your freshener is ready for use. You may also reuse the sachet by placing it in a drawer or any other are you wish to perfume.
To use the freshener simply scoop some up in a measuring cup and sprinkle on your carpet just as you would with a commercial blend. Vacuum it up and enjoy your fresh smelling carpet.
