How To Clean Carpets With Hydrogen Peroxide: Best DIY Guideline

If you have hydrogen peroxide at home, then follow our simple steps on ‘how to clean carpets with hydrogen peroxide?’ Follow this article to learn about hydrogen peroxide to clean carpets at home.

Also you don’t need any additional cleaning products. Because hydrogen peroxide is an excellent cleaning agent for carpets because of its different chemical properties including strong oxidizing capabilities.       

The recommended peroxide percentage for household cleanings is 3% and 6% H₂O₂. It is cheaper compare to other commercial carpet cleaning products.

1. Efficacy Of Hydrogen Peroxide On Different Stains:

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) works good on all types of organic substances. It is-

• Highly effective at removing tea and coffee stains from carpet.
• Highly effective at removing red wine stains from carpet. 
• Highly effective at cleaning blood stains from carpet.
• Highly effective at cleaning vomit stains from carpet.
• Moderately effective at cleaning ink stains from carpet. 
• Highly effective at cleaning human and pet urine from carpet.
• Moderately effective at removing oil and grease stains from carpet.
• Moderately effective at cleaning mud and dirt from carpets.
• Moderately effective at cleaning chocolate stains from carpet.
• Considered as an effective household disinfectant.

2. How To Clean Carpets With Hydrogen Peroxide:

2.1. Supplies Needed For The Method:

• Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
• Water (hot and cold)
• Spray bottle.
• A glass bowl
• A spoon or, a whisk
• Paper towels
• Rubber gloves
• Vacuum machine

2.2. Vacuuming The Entire Carpet

Before applying H₂O₂ you have to vacuum clean the entire carpet. Vacuuming will remove the loose dirt and pet hair. If needed, do vacuuming twice to remove them at maximum amount, otherwise they will create obstacles during the cleaning process.

2.3. Preparing the H₂O₂ solution:

Preparation of hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning carpets is easy and quick method. All you need is the right ingredients and mix them up properly according to the user manuals.

• 3% hydrogen peroxide [3% H₂O₂ means it consists of 97% water and 3% hydrogen peroxide]
• Hot water
• Dishwashing soap

In the glass bowl take sufficient hot water (not at boiling point) and mix some dish soap with it. Then add the required amount of (according to the volume of the mess) hydrogen peroxide in the bowl. While doing this always wear the rubber gloves. Mix them gently using a spoon or, whisk. Now pour the solution in a spray bottle.

2.5. Applying the H₂O₂ solution

Now spray the solution on the targeted stains and soiled areas carefully. Make sure that you have dampened the spots and carpet fibers with the H₂O₂ solution properly. Then let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes depending on how stubborn the stains are.

2.6. Cleaning the debris

After 30 minutes or, more it is time to spray enough water over all the stains and soiled areas carefully. Don’t over saturate the carpet. Blot up the water along with the dirt using paper towels. Keep doing this until the paper towels absorb no more residues or, liquid from the carpet.

2.7. Drying the carpet

Finally, use a hot air drier to dry up the treated spot. If you don’t have a drier then wait and let it dry naturally with the help of blown air. When the carpet is completely dry, vacuum the spot carefully and you’re done with your cleaning.

3. Precautions To Take While Cleaning Carpets With Hydrogen Peroxide:

Before starting to clean carpets or other surfaces with H₂O₂, everybody should learn how to handle it safely. Here’s what “alldiysolutions.com” discovered:

• Always stick to a 3% H₂O₂ solution for household cleaning. It is effective enough and gentle for your carpets. 6% H₂O₂ should not be used in carpet cleaning processes.
• Always wear protective gears like hand gloves and safety goggles to ensure skin and eye protection.
• During the cleaning process keep the windows and doors open to ensure well ventilation. It will decrease the drying time and neutralize the wet smell with blowing air.

4. Impact Of Hydrogen Peroxide On Indoor Air Quality:

H₂O₂ is really good at cleaning and maintaining indoor air quality of a home because of their chemical properties.

• H₂O₂ breaks down into water & oxygen and thus reduces the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from indoor.
• H₂O₂ effectively removes all kinds of allergens from carpets as well as from the indoor environment of a house.
• It is considered as a good disinfectant for carpet sanitization. It can effectively kill and inhibit the harmful pathogens and microbial growth.
• It can effectively prevent mold, mildew and other fungal growth on carpets and other surfaces.  
• It is also highly effective in reducing dust mites from carpets and inside homes.

5. Related Articles:

• How to clean vomit out of carpet with hydrogen peroxide?
• How to disinfect carpet with hydrogen peroxide?
• Removing wine stains from carpet with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
• Removing tea and coffee stains from carpet with hydrogen peroxide

Related Questions:

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a very common pale blue chemical available in almost every pharmacy and super shop. Prior to its discovery, people used hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an antiseptic and sterilizer. Because it can prevent infections in wounds and sterilize surgical equipment.

How H₂O₂ Works While Cleaning?

Later people discovered its high oxidizing property which makes it a great cleaning agent. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) performs oxidation reaction with organic matters and breaks them to loosen condition. When it comes in contact with organic matters like dirt, blood, urine etc., it breaks down into oxygen and water which enables the loosening capability of organic matters.

Why (H₂O₂) is a great carpet cleaner?

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an excellent cleaning agent for carpets because of its different chemical properties including strong oxidizing capabilities. It performs oxidation reaction with organic matters and breaks them to loosen condition. When it comes in contact with organic matters like dirt, blood, urine etc., it breaks them down into oxygen and water which enables the loosening capability of organic matters. It is also a great disinfectant which is widely used for carpet and rug disinfecting.

Is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) safe to use?

The recommended peroxide percentage for household cleanings is 3% and 6% H₂O₂. Hydrogen peroxide with such concentration is safe for carpets. On the other hand, the concentrated H₂O₂ is not safe for both human and carpets. Concentrated H₂O₂ can cause serious damage when comes in contact with human body especially the skin and eyes. Before applying hydrogen peroxide always read the user manual and use safety gears like (gloves, goggles, PPE etc.).

Is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) a good disinfectant?

Prior to its discovery, people used hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an antiseptic and sterilizer. Because it can prevent infections in wounds and sterilize surgical equipment. It is used widely to disinfect almost all types of surfaces (wooden or, metal). Also, it can sterilize carpets, rugs and other textiles effectively. It can prevent the growth of different fungus (Microsporum canis) and molds (Mucor plumbeus) on carpets. Also, it can remove them from carpets effectively while sanitizing.

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide In Your Carpet Shampooer?

Yes, you can use Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in a carpet shampooer if it is designed that way. In case of carpet shampooer you have to choose a cleanser product that is applicable with it. Because, all cleanser products may not work well with every device. Read the instructions and mix the right amount of Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the water tank.

Final Touch:

So, we believe that people who find it tricky and gross and don’t know ‘how to clean carpets with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)?’ is no more a bigger problem. In fact, it was never been that hard if people have already followed a similar process like that. And now this article has cleared all the probable and necessary questions of the DIYers. 

References:

1. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/4374F (Microsporum canis)
2. https://www.gbif.org/species/5250578 (Mucor plumbeus)