Any alternatives to Shake and Vac?

CL

Hi All,

I like the nice smell and freshness that shake and vac give my carpets although I doubt it is very money saving, has anyone and homemade or otherwise alternative?

Downsizing__for_sanity

Apparently bicarbonate of soda does much the same by absorbing dirt and odours. I don't know how you'd get the fresh smell, but maybe you could add some grated lemon zest or essential oil?

Queenie

You could put something in your vacuum cleaner bag ie: dab a small piece of rag with essential oil.

But, if you really prefer to sprinkle -

For general deodorizing, they also advise sprinkling baking soda on carpeting monthly, or as needed, before going to bed and let it set overnight. Vacuum the next day. They include a home-made carpet deodorizer recipe:
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
15 drops of your favorite essential oil fragrance
Extract from article at Dollar Stretcher ...

Or

Carpet DeodorizerTo make your own carpet deodorizer combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 2 tbsp corn starch, and 1/4 cup scented talcum powder. Sprinkle on dry carpet, let stand 5 to 15 minutes, then vacuum.Extract from Thrifty Tips

chrissie22

If you soak a couple of cotton wool balls in your favourite perfume or aftershave them pop them in your vacumme (sp) cleaner it leaves a beautiful smell around the house which lasts for ages.

dolly_day_dream

This is not repeat not a replacement for Shake and Vac but when I saw it I was reminded of my friends son who seeing her shake it on went and got a bag of sugar and shook it all over her shag pile:eek: It took forever to get rid of. Thought it would give some of you a laugh:rotfl:

broomstick27

Don't use talc! I spent a couple of hours on friday cleaning my hall stairs and landing but when i had finished it smelt funny. so i thought 'I know il us ds lavendar and chamomile talc' big mistake! the combination of carpet and old, not very good hoover meant i had to clean it all up with a brush. I now have talc dust everywhere! doh!

Sarahsaver

The neutradol powder is good. Even used to get rid of the ex h's high strength wacky baccy smell :eek:

Rachel021967

I watched a programme the other day where they crushed rosemary and lavender in a pestle and mortar and added it to bicarbonate of soda. They then sprinkled the mixture on the carpet. I think they left it overnight and then hoovered it up.

yellowmonkey

Hi.

Have just hoovered and used the last of my Shake and Vac. Do any of you have an alternative version that is OS to use as i am trying to cut back where possible.


Many thanks


ym

Sharra

I sprinkle bicarb, leave for a while and then hoover up. You don't get the fragrance like you do from shake n vac but it gets rid of nasty carpet smells.

newlywed

Our local hoover repair center said never use shake and vac as it clogs up the hoover and causes more problems than it's worth!!!

However, I think some have said bicarb sprinkled on the carpet, left for a bit and then hoovered helps freshen it.