Use Hot Water in Carpet Steam Cleaner

When steam cleaning your carpets yourself, don't waste your money on the shampoo. Instead, put a large pot of water on the stove, heat it until it almost boils (to where it's steaming but not boiling). Pour the water into your machine and clean. If you like, add 1/3 cup of rubbing alcohol for sanitary freshness.

Using shampoo on your carpet with a do it yourself machine will leave soapy residue in your carpet that the machine is not strong enough to pull out. This soap residue will only collect dirt faster and make your carpets dirty again. By using only extra hot water you're only putting hot water into the carpet. The carpet will stay cleaner longer and you're saving money. An added bonus (if you own your own machine) is that your machine will last longer without all that soap gunk being used in it!

By Shari from Marysville, WA