Odor-Eliminating Carpet Powder

 Carpet Powder

I have been using carpet powders for years. If you're new to the carpet powder club, be prepared to revolutionize your cleaning game. Benefits of carpet powder include:

• Odor elimination
• Traps & neutralizes odors caused by pet urine, food spills, smoking, and general mustiness
• Deodorizes the vacuum cleaner itself preventing lingering odors from reappearing the next time you vacuum
• Deeper cleaning
• Absorbs oils and moisture to combat mold and mildew 
• Loosens dirt and smaller particles making them more accessible to the vacuum
• Reduces static electricity

Store-bought brands are relatively inexpensive but contain artificial fragrances that can cause irritation or allergies. This can be avoided by using a simple, natural recipe.

About the Ingredients

Baking Soda

Known for its odor-eliminating properties, baking soda is a necessary staple for any person who favors homemade cleaning products. I buy mine 12 pounds at a time and still need to restock about once a month.

From drain cleaning to mattress freshening and even carpet deodorizing, baking soda is a solid staple. 

Corn Starch

This ingredient is optional, but I highly recommend using it. Corn starch is what removes the moisture from your carpet. This is also the element that sets homemade carpet powders apart from store-bought ones. 

Essential Oils

It is important to note that essential oils are highly concentrated. Less is more! Even in small amounts, essential oils are powerful ingredients that can naturally enhance cleaning products. 

If you have pets, it is important to be mindful as some can be toxic to dogs, cats, or both.\

Pet-Friendly Essential Oils

• Clary sage
• Relaxing and aromatic
• Anti-fungal & antibacterial

• Eucalyptus 
• An earthy and aromatic aroma
• Highly effective in combating bacteria and fungi

• Geranium
• Pleasant floral scent
• Mild disinfectant properties

• Lavender
• Relaxing floral scent
• Powerful at combating bacteria and fungi that can cause illness

• Lemongrass
• While nearly all citrus-scented essential oils are toxic to pets, lemongrass provides a lemony scent while still being safe for pets

Recipe

Directions for Application

1. Vacuum once to remove larger debris
2. Sprinkle carpet powder over the carpet. Ensure that all pets and small children stay off of the sprinkled area
3. Leave for at least 3 hours
4. Vacuum up throughouly 
5. Clean vacuum filter to prevent powder buildup

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. Purchases made from those links provide revenue to the author at no additional cost to the individual purchasing the item.

DIY Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Natural cleaning recipes are a staple in my household. I make a vast majority of our cleaning products. The harsh chemicals in commercial cleaners can be dangerous to kids and animals. Not only that, but they're expensive! Since switching to making, rather than buying, cleaning products, we have saved a ton of money.

This recipe was passed down to me from a family member, and I have been using it religiously for years! It never fails, and the possible essential oil combinations keep you from ever getting tired of it.

Ingredients & Supplies

• Glass Measuring Cup

Since you will be adding boiling water straight into a container, it is important to use a glass measuring cup. This prevents microplastics and melting!

• Glass Spray Bottle 

When left in a plastic container, essential oils can dissolve the plastic. It is extremely important that you place your finished product in a glass spray bottle. 

Amber spray bottles can prevent sunlight from oxidizing and spoiling your product.

• Measuring spoons

I bought this set of metal measuring spoons years ago, and I really enjoy them! They stick together, so storage is a breeze.

• Borax Powder

• Essential Oils

        Tea tree oil: 

• As one of the strongest cleaning oils, I recommend keeping this as a staple in the recipe
• Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal

        Additional oil(s) of your choice

• Lemon
• natural disinfectant, air purification, mold eliminator, and streak-free shine
• Lavender
• Antibacterial, anti-odor
• Eucalyptus
• Antiseptic, antimicrobial
• Can actually help fight seasonal allergies
• Orange
• Helps fight mold and prevent it from growing back
• Peppermint
• Antimicrobial
• Natural pest & rodent repellant

• Washing Soda

• Pure Castile Soap

I always opt for this 64 oz peppermint-scented bottle. I appreciate the pest-repellant properties of peppermint, and it allows me to rotate in other essential oils! This affordable brand is free of all the nasty parabens, dyes, and sulfates many others use. Even if peppermint isn't your jam, their unscented version is great too.

Recipe

Directions

• Bring water to a boil

• Add Borax and washing soda powders to the glass measuring cup

• When water has reached a rolling boil, slowly add water to the measuring cup while stirring until the 2-cup line is reached

• This helps the powder mix evenly

• Add liquid castile soap and stir

• Wait until the mixture has cooled to room temperature

• Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil and 10-15 drops of additional oil of choice

• Tea tree oil should be about 1/2 of the oil added

• Place the cooled mixture in your spray bottle, and you're ready to go!

• Note: Shake the bottle before each use. The oils will separate after a couple of hours.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. Purchases made from those links provide revenue to the author at no additional cost to the individual purchasing the item.