I'm at my wit's end. I've spent the last week trying to be frugal by using vinegar, baking soda, and even acetone on a stubborn carpet stain. The result? My house smells like a salad bar, the stain is now a weird gray smudge, and I'm pretty sure I'm damaging the fibers. I've already spent about $50 on different miracle DIY ingredients, and I feel like I'm just throwing money down the drain.
I'm starting to think that DIY chemicals are a trap and might end up costing me a fortune in carpet replacement.
Should I just invest in a dedicated cleaning machine? Is there a machine that actually works without needing expensive chemical refills? I've heard about high-temp steam extractors, are they worth the investment? I want something that lasts and is actually frugal in the long run.
Please help me stop the DIY madness. What do you guys use to keep your carpets clean without ruining them?
My DIY carpet cleaning hacks are failing. Is it time to buy a machine, or is there a better way?
byu/Embarrassed_Pay1275 inFrugal
Posted by Embarrassed_Pay1275
4 Comments
Okay this is maybe a dumb question but have you tried actual carpet cleaner?
Most stores let you rent carpet cleaners for a day for like $30.
sounds like you’ve created a new kind of carpet art. sometimes it’s just better to throw in the towel and get the real deal.
Vinegar + baking soda = salt water. I wish this would die already.
Did the acetone physically damage the carpet? A lot of carpets are synthetic and acetone can eat some synthetic materials. If it didn’t damage it, yes, you need a carpet cleaner. The cleaning chemicals depend on what kind of stain you are trying to remove.
If you can’t acquire a carpet shampooer, and you have a shop vac, you can probably rig up a system using that. Won’t be ideal, though.