How to Clean Rugs With Vinegar

Scrub Rugs with a Vinegar Solution

Vacuum the rug. Thoroughly vacuum both sides of the rug (front and back) to remove loose debris and dirt.

Create a vinegar-based cleaning solution. Combine warm water, mild dish soap and 3 to 4 cups (.7 l to .9 l) of white vinegar in a bucket.

Scrub the rug. Dip a soft cloth, soft brush or non-shedding sponge into the vinegar solution. Scrub the pile of the rug gently, using linear motions in the direction of the nap. Clean the fringes of the rug as applicable. If the rug has fringes along the edges, gently scrub them using a laundry brush and the vinegar solution.

Rinse the rug. Rinse it with running water or gently wipe the surface with a clean cloth dipped in water.

Remove the excess water. Squeeze out the excess water from the rug. Use a window squeegee to remove excess water if the rug is too large or heavy to lift. Press the squeegee against the rug and pull in the direction of the nap until most of the water is removed.

Dry the rug. Allow the rug to dry outside in the sunshine. When the nap feels dry, turn the rug over to allow the other side to dry. Allow the rug to dry under a fan If the weather doesn't permit outdoor drying.

Steam Clean Rugs with Vinegar

Replace steam cleaning solutions with vinegar. Steam cleaning solutions can be expensive and are typically made of harsh chemicals. Fill the steam cleaner's tank with full-strength vinegar. If the steam cleaner has a dedicated tank for the cleaning solution, use full-strength vinegar instead of the commercial steam cleaning solution. Substitute vinegar for the steam cleaning solution. If the cleanser is combined with hot water in a single tank in the steam cleaner, use vinegar instead of the cleanser. Whatever the amount of cleanser recommended, substitute the same amount of vinegar. If the manual indicates 4 ounces (113.4 g) of cleaning solution, use 4 ounces (113.4 g) of vinegar.

Clean the carpet with the steam cleaning machine. Operate the steam cleaning machine as directed. The rug (and room) may smell like vinegar during cleaning. Once the rug is dry, the smell will dissipate.

Direct Spot-Cleaning Spray

Create a spot-cleaning solution. Combine 1/4 cup (.05 l) vinegar and 1/4 cup (.05 l) water in a clean spray bottle.

Remove stains from rugs. Spray the spot-cleaning solution on the stain. Blot the stain with a clean cloth. Do not rub the stain into the carpet fibers. Reapply the vinegar solution and blot the stain until it is no longer visible. Some stains may need to be treated more than once.

Use a spot-removing paste for stubborn stains. Mix baking soda and white vinegar together to form a paste. Work the paste into the stain, using any soft brush or an old toothbrush. Allow the spot-removing paste to dry and then vacuum the spot.