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Housekeeping Supplies

So I was about to do my carpets and realised I've ran out of carpet deodoriser and air freshener. 
I searched but couldn't find any posts on whether it's more economical to make my own, or buy from the shop.
I realise it's maybe a bit looking after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.

Does anyone have any experience? Hint or tips? For this or any other cleaning/housework related products. 

I have lots of essential oils, about 5ltrs of white viniger, 500g of baking soda. I've done some googling, got some recipes. 

Any and all suggestions welcome.

Comments

  • Rosa_Damascena
    Rosa_Damascena Posts: 6,770 Forumite
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    If the carpets are that dirty, I would either hire a rug doctor / professional cleaner and then keep shoes off the carpets from that point forward.
    No man is worth crawling on this earth.

    So much to read, so little time.
  • Floss
    Floss Posts: 8,880 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Carpets should stay unsmelly with fairly frequent regular vacuuming. Air freshener only covers up smells with an artificial smell.
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  • CapricornLass
    CapricornLass Posts: 753 Forumite
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    I'm another fan of using bicarb - I used it to get rid of smoke damage. and it brought the carpets up beautifully,  However, I think you will need rather more than 500g.  
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  • PollyWollyDoodle
    PollyWollyDoodle Posts: 2,165 Forumite
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    I was going to recommend Nancy Birtwistle too. But carpet deodoriser and air freshener are two things I have never used.  I do light a scented candle occasionally,  I don’t think my house smells. 

    Commercial air fresheners make me feel ill  
    Life is mainly froth and bubble: two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.
  • ManiacalRed
    ManiacalRed Posts: 21 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 8 January pm31 5:49PM
    Hey thanks for the feedback,
    I have 2 dogs and a cat. I also have a rug doctor professional carpet washer which I use on occasion, vacuum daily and never wear shoes in the house. However Dogs get wet, and drag in all manner of stuff on their paws, each to your own on how you want your house to smell I suppose but when I have friends over I really dont want their noses assaulted, anyone that has pets and doesnt use cleaning products and thinks there house doesnt smell is wrong.
    Anyway my reason for asking for advice right now is my old dog has a dicky tummy, and has had a few accidents. It seems to be clearing up however I dont want to wash the carpets until he's all better at which time I will give him a good bath and once hes dry I will wash the carpets, in the mean time I know the house smells. Just thought for us that do use room deodoriser there might be a more cost effective option. 
    Thanks for the advice on the bicarb, I hear its great for cleaning I will give it a go. Will also give Nancy a good browse.
  • Paspatur
    Paspatur Posts: 517 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    anyone that has pets and doesnt use cleaning products and thinks there house doesnt smell is wrong

    carpet deodoriser and air freshener are not cleaning products
  • redofromstart
    redofromstart Posts: 5,317 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Much sympathy on the dog, I had a poor old dog with a similar problem and a rather naughty cat with no respect. Loved that cat and cried a river when she died but I do not miss cleaning up her dirty protests.

    Essentially the sprinkle powders are based on bicarb with some scent and an anti caking agent.  The hardest bit was not chucking clumps of bicarb everywhere, sprinkling works best.  Sieve? Flour Shaker? Poke some holes in the lid of a clean empty plastic milk container.  I just use plain bicarb, and only on dry carpet.  I sometimes use peppermint oil drops as a spider repellant but also as a fairly neutral background smell.  Cheap from Home Bargains I think.

    Where they had done something horrid it needed to be neutralised.  Weak solution of biological wash liquid is often suggested, something about neutralising enzymes.   The 'pet' machine wash liquids didn't seem to help very much, but the care home liquid for incontinence worked very well, even if it made the room in question smell like a hospital. (commercial urine odour neutraliser).

    Hope this helps, it is so frustrating to deal with.
  • Pixie_Cosmo
    Pixie_Cosmo Posts: 183 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I feel your pain, we used to have dogs and a cat, and vacuumed every day to keep the hair down. Felt like a never-ending battle! Hope your dog is recovering now. 

    Could you put washable rugs down in the worst places to protect the carpet? 

    Would an old towel on hand as you go in the house help, to rub the dog/s down before they track the dirt in? 
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