Needing a homemade steam cleaning solution...

Christine J
by Christine J
I am wondering if anyone out there has a recipe for a homemade cleaning solution to use in a steam cleaner. Those store bought ones are so expensive. Its just a light, not to sudsy soap, right?
  3 answers
  • Shari Shari on Jun 29, 2013
    Christine, I don't have a homemade recipe but I only use a fraction of what the store bought solution says on the label. I think they tell you to add large amounts just so you will have to buy refills more often. I probably add no more than 2 tablespoons to a tankful of water and my carpet comes out fine. Actually, less soap solution is better for your carpets anyway because the less you use, the less soapy residue you leave behind in the fibers. Soap residue is a dirt magnet so the more soap you use, the faster your carpet gets dirty again. After I have cleaned my carpet, I go back and do several rinse passes with white vinegar and water to cut soap residue. If your carpet is not too dirty or stained, you can also try cleaning them with just the white vinegar and hot water solution.
  • Christine J Christine J on Jun 30, 2013
    Thanks Shari! Very helpful, should have know vinegar would be involved some how! :)
  • Shari Shari on Jun 30, 2013
    You are welcome! Yep--white vinegar cleans just about everything. It is to cleaning what duct tape is to repairs. :)