Homemade Carpet Powder

July 15, 2011 · by

I have 8 inside furbabies.  Yes, you read that right.  Eight!  4 cats & 4 dogs.  Needless to say, when it comes to products that make my house smell nice – I am a fan.

Carpet powder is one product that I can’t do without.  Even though it is a reasonable price, I buy so much of it that it works out to be pretty expensive.  Plus, it doesn’t always work as well as I like.

Homemade carpet powder to the rescue!!  It’s cheap & it has not met an odor that it doesn’t take care of.

All you need is baking soda & orange essential oil.  You can use other essential oils if you like, but I like the orange because of the great clean smell that it gives off.  Some readers have also suggested using cloves instead of the essential oil, and while I haven’t tried that personally – I’ve heard some great stuff about it!

It is also nice to have an empty Parmesan cheese container, or some other shaker.

Mix the baking soda & several drops of the orange essential oil (or other essential oil of your choice) together in a bowl using a whisk.  Then, spoon the mixture into your shaker.  OR… you can do this the lazy way like me and just put it all into your container & do the hokey pokey & shake all around… ;)

You can also add a couple tablespoons of borax (found with the laundry detergent) or food grade D.E. to repell fleas.  The food grade d.e. is great for repelling bed bugs too!

Sprinkle onto your carpets – let it sit for about 15 minutes, then vacuum up.



Simple & thrifty – and works like a charm.




MrsHappyHomemaker

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Filed Under: Cleaning/Housekeeping, DIY, Frugal Living, Household, Make Your Own ·
  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/18126159169190490089 Jennifer

    My aunt will mix in a small amount of ground cloves with the soda. It smells divine!

    Baking soda is a great carpet deodorizer!

  • Anonymous

    can you buy this at Walmart, if so what area of the store would it be in.? Thanks

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06527578108859648642 The Zoo Keeper

    You can buy the large boxes of baking soda at walmart, but not the essential oils. (Or at least I couldn’t find it there) I found it at a health food store in town, it is a little pricey ($4-6 for a small bottle, varying depending on the scent you choose) but it lasts a long time, as it doesn’t take much!!! As for the ground cloves, spice aisle!!!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08147512975300664856 Rose and Heather

    Love this! I just made my own laundry detergent and am in love with it! can’t wait to mix this up!
    Pinned it!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/brenbrkn Brenda Okun

    You told the ingriedients.How much of each one?

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      No exact measurements…just enough baking soda to fill the container & a few drops of essential oil. Just enough to wear you like the scent. Some people like stronger scents than others. Also, once the comments pop up in my new server (I just switched servers, everything isn’t yet converted over) you can see all the other comments and reader tips. This post has over 200.

  • jacqueline collins

    the whole box o bakingsoda?

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      Just as much as will fit into the container that you are using. The container I used was 8oz, so I used about a cup.

      • renee

        How many drops of essential oil to 1 cup of baking soda?

  • kirsten

    I am thinking its the whole box by the looks of the container, but not totally sure :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/rydercrew Kim Ryder

    add some tea tree oil…will also get rid of fleas,etc. and completely safe for pets, babies whatever!

    • http://www.facebook.com/srburkett Shawn Rounsville Burkett

      Tea tree oil can be toxic to cats and dogs if they lick the essential oil.

  • Donna Adkins

    vacuum cleaner company will not back a warranty if you use powder either. it messes up the motor.

  • Kelly

    It’s PETA, btw

  • Christy

    online is where i purchased mine

  • bobbie

    Some people commented on putting stuff in kitty litter boxes to cover ordors. I have had Siamese kitties for 20 years and I always use Rabbit feed which is alfalfa pressed into pellets for my kitty litter. If kitties try to eat it, will not harm them; I have never had allergy problems with it, when dirty litter is in a bag and put into garbage can, covers up the ordors of rotting garbage, and I do not have smelly litter boxes.

  • http://www.facebook.com/suzanne.b.williams.9 Suzanne Beck Williams

    Great idea…I’m def gonna try this. Now, where do I get orange essential oil. Google time. :)

    • http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/ Mrs Happy Homemaker

      There’s a link in the post to where I get mine :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/denise.leraaen Denise Hester Leraaen

    i don’t have dogs or cats in the house but i do have me my husband a 9yr old and 4 teenagers in the house I”M TRYING THIS!!!!!! LOL

    • http://www.facebook.com/denise.leraaen Denise Hester Leraaen

      might try some other EO or spice in it though i’m not much on citrus scents

  • Linda

    Yes, borax actually sucks the moisture out of any bugs, fleas, crickets etc. in your house. It’s natural & non-toxic to children & pets. The only time you have to reapply it is after a shampooing of your carpets.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1023477884 Andy Bandy

      Could this be used for an area of carpet that smelled horrible after it was steam cleaned?

  • Jeannine

    Will it take out the yellow stain on light grey carpet?
    thx. Jeannine

    • Jeannine

      clarification, dog pee.

      • Gwendolyn

        I put a sprayer on a bottle of peroxide it instantly removes doggy pee, and all stains from my carpet. I literally spray and walk away.

  • Sheila

    Oh and by the way the lid on the shaker is from a Parmesan cheese container they will fit any mason jar I save all of mine for stuff I make at home and sprinkle like my dry stain pretreater, carpet powder and bathtub cleaner.

  • Jenifer Gault

    I sprinkle this in my kitty litter! Love it!

  • Krisg

    Be careful with epsom salt if you have animals- cats can get paralyzed if they eat or lick epsom salt.

  • Sarette

    So since you have 8 pets, I’m assuming this mixture is pet-friendly? My dog rolls all over my carpets after I clean them & I’d hate to think I’d use anything that could hurt him.

    • http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/ Mrs Happy Homemaker

      Yes, I certainly believe so – my vet doesn’t see any issues with it either. Some people have concerns over essential oils with cats – but orange essential oil is considered the safer of them, especially with the very small amount used in the recipe. However, if you have cats – and are concerned about the essential oil, you can always omit it and still freshen your carpet without the added scent.

  • Jill

    What is the ratio for baking soda and ground cloves in the parmesan container? This will be great for the holidays!

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  • Christie

    Vet says never, EVER use essential oils where cats will be exposed to them. Cats do not break down absorbed oils well, and do not show signs of toxicity until it’s nearly too late. The orange oil is ok for dogs, not cats.

  • KatCozzens

    I did try the baking soda with the ground cloves and it smelled WONDERFUL!!! I used about 1/4 cup of baking soda and about a tablespoon of ground cloves and sprinkled it all over my carpets. That was about an hour ago and it STILL smells really good!! Thanks for the tip!

  • Gwendolyn

    FYI,,,,,Food grade DE works Great for BEDBUGS! After $1200 in professional extermination cost , and throwing half my furniture out I finally got rid of them with DE.

  • Leila Reynolds

    Only certain essential oils are harmful. There are certain ones that are perfectly fine. The biggest thing is making sure you have quality essential oils that you’re using. Some use fillers and whatnot. The FDA only requires that 3% of the EO be all natural in order for it to be called “organic.”

  • Jennifer Simas

    I am trying baking soda and borax and ground cloves right now!!!!

  • Anon

    Diatomaceous earth can be found at tractor supply.

  • http://cleaners2hire.com/ Cleaner Jobs

    Just love that idea…it’s make me so happy and now it would be a easy task to clean my rooms carpet with that homemade carpet powder.

  • pegleg

    Ok, not sure but how much of baking soda you use, I don’t see the recipe?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      It’s not a set recipe, so no exact recipes. Just add enough essential oils to the baking soda to where you are happy with the scent.

      • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

        It’s a 14oz can by weight, I believe.

  • Heather (MuggleCast)

    You can use plain white vinegar mixed with water instead of shampoo.

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  • sandra

    I have burgundy rugs, took me 3 times as long to vacuum and there still was baking soda on the rug

  • learning2day

    is this to get rid of fleas also.. i dont know if i saw that..

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      Others have suggested adding food grade d.e. to get rid of fleas :)

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  • Carea

    For those that have pets: Pinesol is toxic to cats.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/donna.kimball.12 Donna Kimball

    I loved it when you said you had 4 cats and 4 dogs. I have 3 cats , 5 ferrets and 2 birds. So I so understand. And I have to be careful with what I use to clean in the house. This is good.

  • debi

    Thank you so much!! I have two adorable kitties, one of which had gotten quite sick when I have tried different powders on the carpet in the past! I’m so happy to see this natural alternative!! Also saw the conversation on diatomaceous earth and wondered how long that is good for … I’ve had some for over 10 years now … still sealed in the bag.

    • debi

      P.S. I love your site! :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.mixon Lindsay Mixon

    Baking soda on some darkcarpets can cause discoloration, and if you use a shampoo machine it can cause excess foaming.

  • http://www.facebook.com/gaillynnkenyon Gail Kenyon

    A Little Sage and You can also Clear and Bless your home at the same time :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1023477884 Andy Bandy

    I like this. I’m going to try it. You are right about the hepa filter thing. I learned the hard way. I never thought of nutmeg or ground clove.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1023477884 Andy Bandy

    Could salt work?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1023477884 Andy Bandy

    My answer right under my question…doh!

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  • Ann

    Could not agree more. Smells like vomit. Hate it.

  • Toni

    Borax is great for killing bugs, but can be harmful to children. Just a teaspoon can kill a small child if ingested. Why take that risk by putting it on your carpet where children play? It can also be irritating to the skin, which is why you’re supposed to wear gloves while cleaning with it…another reason why not to put it on your carpet, even if you are vacuuming it up, there always going to be some residue left

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  • Renee

    I don’t see a recipe. I only see ingredients??????? How much of each

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      Because it’s not a traditional recipe. Just fill up your empty Parmesan cheese container with baking soda & then shake in a few drops of essential oil. Shake it up, & smell it. Add more essential oil if you would like & repeat.

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  • MommaA312

    I make mine with baking soda and a dryer sheet, works great!

  • http://www.facebook.com/loretta.b.scott Loretta Beitel Scott

    if you use a mint essential oil (peppermint is great) it will repel rodents, just be sure not to use mint if you have hampsters, guinea pigs, etc.

  • http://www.facebook.com/certs17 Christina Thorn Pond

    Thank you so much! This is so easy…I can’t wait to try it!

  • http://www.facebook.com/lisa.fieldpaxton Lisa Field Paxton

    My hubby and I recently quit smoking and used soda to remove odors in carpet.

  • Debby

    But won’t borax harm the pets that walk around then lick theirselves including paws? Just wondering

    • Jessica

      I’ve always seen that some people’s cats have died after using borax for fleas, via licking their paws. I was under the impression that you should never use borax on your carpet if your cat will be walking on it.

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  • Just wondering

    Will arm and hammer WASHING SODA work as well?

  • http://www.facebook.com/LovingNoah2011 Eva DeLeon

    Just out of curiousity…How much do you end up saving?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1645350241 Kathleen Hoynes

    Wonderful! Should have thought of this myself, but that’s why I come to you:)

  • Cindy G

    I use the same combination for cleaning the bathroom!! Nontoxic – safe for my son to use – cheap and smells great!

  • http://www.facebook.com/debra.baldwin.18 Debra Baldwin

    Love this — Thank you– very natural very safe…

  • Heather

    Pretty impressed with this idea. I have 5 cats and 1 dog inside. Thanks

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  • http://www.facebook.com/bella.mendoll Bella Mendoll

    Do not use this if you have cats around the house. They are very sensitive with essential oils!

  • http://www.facebook.com/Renkins40 Andrea Renee Fischer

    Thank you for your info~ :-)

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  • http://www.facebook.com/carla.mcgrath.98 Carla McGrath

    awesome idea