Rug refresh

Spring clean rugs and carpets with safe ingredients!

Here’s a few safe & natural DIY solutions to clean and refresh your rugs and carpets. Get rid of toxic chemicals in your home that can be absorbed through your feet. And don’t forget about health risks to kids and pets. The ingredients used in these simple formulas are friendly to both. So, feel free to kick off your shoes, roll around with kids or give the pooch a good belly rub!

Rug & Carpet Cleaner

• 1/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap
• 1 cup lukewarm water

Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area or use the solution to spot-clean non-greasy stains. (Do not use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of liquid dish soap, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug’s color.) You can simply let air dry, or let stand for a few minutes and then fluff up the nap with a cotton dust mop.

Carpet Freshener

• 1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, artemisia, or lavender)
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.

Reference material taken in part from the following source(s): Old Farmer’s Almanac