Distilled white vinegar works as a natural stain remover on carpets. No matter how clean you keep your home, old carpets accumulate stains and appear dingy. Regular cleaning brightens the carpet and removes the stains. While many carpet cleaning solutions and stain removers contain harsh chemicals and emit strong odors, a few common household products can clean your carpets effectively. You can make homemade cleaners odorless if you have sensitivities to strong scents or add some natural scents for an extra clean smell. As an additional benefit, you can save money by making your own homemade carpet cleaners. Sweep your carpet with a broom to lift the fibers and remove loose dirt. Vacuum the entire carpet. Mix one part borax with two parts cornmeal to make a carpet powder that removes stains, prevents mold growth and deodorizes. Alternately, for carpets with heavy odors, use baking soda. (See References 1 and 2) Sprinkle the mixture over the entire carpet. Wait for about an hour and then vacuum the carpet.

This should remove odor, light stains and dirt that normal vacuuming misses. Pre-treat any remaining stains with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. For tough stains on light colored carpets, try a mixture of lemon juice and salt. First test any stain-removing mix, especially on darker carpets, in a hidden location, such as a closet. Scrub the stain with the stain-removing mixture and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Use an old towel to dab up as much of the moisture as possible. Rent a carpet-cleaning machine if you do not have one. Use very hot water to remove dirt and stains more effectively. Fill the soap reservoir with a natural carpet cleaning solution. If you use your own carpet cleaner and it doesn't void the warranty, you can use a natural laundry detergent in place of carpet cleaner. If you don't want to use any detergent, the hot water alone will remove much of the accumulated grime. Clean the entire carpet one time with the cleaner following the manufacturer's instructions.

Run the carpet cleaner over the carpet once more with just hot water to rinse any detergent residue. Make a third pass without spraying any water or detergent to suck up as much moisture as you can. Stay off the carpet until it dries completely. Once dry, vacuum the carpet again to fluff the nap and remove the last of any soap residues. Things You Will Need Broom Vacuum cleaner Borax Cornmeal Baking soda Vinegar Carpet cleaning machine Natural detergent Tips Warnings References Keene State College: Green CleaningMichigan State University Extension; T Shirts Under 300 RsJune 2003 Photo Credits Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionT-Shirt Manufacturers In GeorgiaHere's the thing about carpeting: the plush, dense fibers we love to feel underfoot are also really great at clinging to dust, dirt, smoke, pet odor, and whatever other grime comes through the door.Curtain Panels 84 Long

Carolyn Forte, director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products lab at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, and Dennis Blake, former chairman of the World Floor Covering Association Board, spilled their tips for lifting dinge and stink out of carpeting.1. Shop smart when you rent (or buy) a carpet-cleaning machine. When we tested these machines in the GHRI, we learned a lot. Choose one that you're able to lift and maneuver easily, and remember to factor in the cost of cleaning solution as you're budgeting.2. "Don't clean your carpet on a humid day," warns Forte. "You don't want it to take too long to dry." Extra moisture could invite mold and mildew, so open windows when your carpet is drying.3. Before you deep clean with the machine, suck up loose dirt and debris with a thorough vacuuming. Otherwise, you might end up grinding dirt deeper in the fibers.4. Remember to spot clean. Give your carpet's dirtiest spots and spills attention first. "Pretreat the worst stains with a spotting solution," says Blake.

"Let it sit for the recommended length — it will need some time to work." We recommend the pretreaters by Bissell.If your pets are accident prone, be sure to use a pretreating solution with enzymes (check the packaging), advises Forte. "Pets tend make messes in the same areas," she says. "You may need to pull up the carpet to get down to the pad, and maybe even replace it."RELATED: Banish Set-in Carpet Stains For Good »5. Clean a test spot.Follow the carpet cleaner's instructions for washing and rinsing, but try a test spot in a hidden area before you tackle the whole carpet. This will help you get comfortable with the machine.6. Know when to seek professional help. "We recommend getting your carpet cleaned professionally once a year," says Forte. "Pros like Stanley Steemer (which we recommend) have more powerful equipment and know-how from years of experience."7. Keep it clean. "Regular vacuuming is your carpet's best friend," says Forte. "Dirt is gritty, and actually wears at the fibers."

Vacuum at least once a week, and more often if you have pets, allergies, or lots of dirty-foot traffic. Place mats at doors and institute a no-shoe policy indoors.NEXT: 5 Biggest Mistakes You Make Vacuuming »Read previous post:A Look at Modern Appliance DesignsAppliance designs are always changing with the interior design trends that come and go with each passing year, so it...15 Ways to Fix Everything With Vinegar Despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of drops, spills, accidents, and whatever's on the bottom of your shoes. To learn how professionals handle problem areas and keep carpets looking new, we spoke with cleaning expert Mark Tarbox, the owner of Best Carpet Cleaning Experts in San Antonio, Texas, who has more than 30 years of experience. Blot Stains, Don't Rub ThemBlot Stains, Don't Rub ThemDab stains with a cleaning solution and a clean cloth, paper towels, or a sponge. "The key is blotting. Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain to soak it up," Tarbox says.

"Rubbing causes the particles to get ground into the carpet fibers, and this can lead to the premature breakdown of those fibers." Always blot from the outside of the stain inward, as blotting outward can spread the stain. The Club Soda ProcessThe Club Soda ProcessYou may have heard that club soda is effective against beer and wine stains. It's true—if you use it correctly.Blot the area with the soda on a cloth. If that doesn't work, mix one part white vinegar with one part water and pour it into a handheld sprayer. Spray the solution on the entire stained area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soak in. Then press a clean sponge onto the area to soak up the solution and the stain. Tarbox says you may have to repeat this process to eradicate the stain.Once the stain is gone, rinse the spot with warm water. Use your hand to brush the carpet strands into their natural direction. Finally, lay white paper towels over the area and weigh them down with something heavy, like a phone book.