Can You Use Laundry Detergent in a Carpet Cleaner? – Home Cleaning Tips

Cleaning a carpet has never been an easy task, especially if you don’t have the right tools. Clean and good-looking carpets decorate your floors. However, the cleaning process will be useless if there are no cleaning detergents. You will have to add substances like carpet shampoos in cleaning tools for thorough cleaning.

But what happens when you are in the middle of the rug cleaning process, and you run out of carpet shampoo? I know you may rush to the nearest store to get the same product, but sometimes you may still lack; that is if you have enough time, but if you don’t have it?

You can substitute your shampoo with other substances to accomplish your cleaning process. Look around the house and if you find any laundry detergent, Thank God. You will finish your task with this item.

You can use Laundry Detergent in a Carpet Cleaner

Laundry Detergent

In case you don’t have otherwise or have a fixed budget, spending on something like carpet shampoo will not be possible. This substance may be expensive to you, making you extend cleaning the carpet.

In such cases, don’t stress yourself because you can use laundry detergent in the absence of carpet shampoo. Laundry detergent is just an effective solution to have your task correctly done.

There is a slight difference between vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners. Their functioning is almost similar, but carpet cleaners use steam plus cleaning solutions for handling different types of dirt and stains that ordinary vacuum cleaners may fail.

Even if you get a comprehensive collection of carpet shampoos in-store, a laundry detergent solution can entirely substitute them.

How to use a Carpet Cleaner With Laundry Detergent:

It is straightforward; if you run out or don’t have carpet shampoo, replace it with ordinary laundry detergent. However, if you want to get better results, you should consider the following steps.

  1. The first thing, you need to get a fluid canister from your steam-cleaning machine. Clean or rinse your steam cleaner first before pouring in laundry detergent to remove previous carpet shampoo remains.
  2. Fill the steam cleaner’s water tank with clean water, and then add a tablespoonful of laundry detergent for every water quarts in the steam cleaner’s tank. Return the canister into its position and then power on the unit. Give it about four minutes to heat up before you start the cleaning process.
  3. The next step will be using the machine, which is just similar to vacuuming.

But, with this unit, you will have to reduce movement, unlike with a vacuum. This is because you will be allowing the cleaning solution and the steam to penetrate the carpet.

These steps are essential because you should rinse laundry detergent through immersion. More so, you will have to be much keen on mixing ratios or else you will end up with immense mold accumulation on your carpet.

Laundry detergents produce a lot of molds that sometimes may overpower you or may extend the drying process of your carpet. Therefore, consider the proportions you are using to avoid a lot of foam to your rugs.

Why use laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner?

As I have put it clearly, the market offers a comprehensive collection of products responsible for cleaning the carpet. Therefore no day, you will lack a carpet cleaning substance to have your cleaning process successful. But the question is, why do you prefer laundry detergent from many other choices in the market?

Our norm is to maintain using the detergent/solutions that are advisable from the accessory’s manufacturer. However, when it comes to carpet cleaning, there are many choices you can make. These substances can entirely substitute carpet shampoos; if you don’t have.

Sometimes we get ourselves into difficult situations such as cleaning your rug, and suddenly, you run out of cleaning solution. What will you do? Will you call off the cleaning process? Will you get in the car and rush to the store to get another one? Or will you search for an alternative in the house?

Use Laundry Detergent in a Carpet Cleaner tips

Getting the nearest available laundry detergent remains the best move because you cannot leave the cleaning job and run in the market for another solution. You cannot call off the cleaning process. What I believe is by the time you get carpet shampoo, cleaning morale will be down.

However, carpet shampoo is indeed pricier comparing to laundry detergent. If your carpet needs cleanliness before payday, then will have no otherwise but to utilize set aside laundry detergents. Doing this will not only save you time but also save your pocket?

Besides, sometimes you may have a laundry detergent with a pleasant scent that you wish to feel from your carpet. If there is no carpet shampoo, you may use it or add it to the shampoo. Your house will smell beautiful.

Therefore, with no objection, you can substitute your carpet shampoo with laundry detergent. Furthermore, there are other substitutes that you can employ to finish your cleaning job. Why bring this idea? Sometimes you may lack all the above two cleaning solutions. What will you do?

There are alternatives such as vinegar that will also have your job done. Mixing it will little water, essential oil like lavender and salt may bare better results. This combination will not only provide your carpet with non-toxic formula but also will leave your home with the favorite scent.

Above all, since we are in the world of DIY, you may decide to make your cleaning solution right from home using simple instructions and to use it in cleaning your carpet.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the difference between a vacuum cleaner and a carpet cleaner?

There is a slight difference between these tools. Their functioning is similar; only that carpet cleaners use steam plus cleaning solutions for handling different types of dirt and stains that standard vacuum cleaners may fail.

2. Is it right to refer to laundry detergent as a multipurpose cleaning solution?

Yes, laundry detergents are usually for handling different types of cleaning tasks. They can work on different types of fabric, starting from carpeting to clothing. Because of its cleansing power and scent, it will leave your house with a beautiful smell if you use it to clean your carpet. It will also remove all residues or stains that other solutions may fail.

3. What else can I use when I don’t have both laundry detergent and carpet shampoo?

There are other alternatives that you can get to finish your job. Sometimes you may lack all the above two cleaning solutions. What will you do? Options such as vinegar will also have your job done.

4. What is the benefit of using laundry detergents instead of carpet shampoos?

Using a laundry detergent will save not only your time but also your money. This is because it is cheap compared to carpet shampoos.

Conclusion

From the above article, it is clear that you can use laundry detergent in carpet cleaners. Carpet shampoos are not the only options in the market for carpet cleaning. Laundry detergent can be a super-sub if you run out or don’t have carpet shampoo.

Using laundry detergent will save your money and time, mostly when you have a fixed budget and time.  Just search for this product in the house and continue with your cleaning process.

FAQs:

Use Laundry Detergent in a Carpet Cleaner FAQs

Q: Can you use laundry detergent to clean the carpet without shampoo?

A: This substance may be expensive to you, making you extend cleaning the carpet. In such cases, don’t stress yourself because you can use laundry detergent in the absence of carpet shampoo. Laundry detergent is just an effective solution to have your task correctly done. There is a slight difference between vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners.

Q: Does laundry detergent damage the carpet?

A: Laundry detergents produce a lot of molds that sometimes may overpower you or may extend the drying process of your carpet. Therefore, consider the proportions you are using to avoid a lot of foam in your rugs. Why use laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner?

Q: How much detergent do you put in a carpet cleaner?

A: Read the guidelines that came with your carpet cleaning machine because the cleaner is smaller than others to add as some reservoirs. For typical carpet shampoo machines, fill your reservoir with warm water. Then pour 1/4 cup of this concentrated solution into your water-filled reservoir. Can you use Laundry Detergent in a Carpet Cleaner?

Q: What is the best laundry detergent for a carpet cleaner?

A: All Free & Clear Plus+ HE Liquid Laundry Detergent is the best laundry detergent as a carpet cleaner. This laundry detergent is 100% Free of Perfumes and Dyes and with Added Whitening Power with Free & Clear. Can I use laundry detergent in a carpet shampooer?