Carpet and Rug Spot Cleaner with Castile Soap
Blot, a dab of Castile Soap, rinse, blot again: a gentle first step for everyday spills on carpets and rugs.
Takes 10 minutes, plus drying
What you’ll need
- About ½ tsp Castile Soap
- Cold or warm water (no hot water for protein stains)
- Bowl or container
- Premium Microfibre Cloth
Carpet & Rug Spot Cleaner
Method
- If the stain is still wet, blot it gently with a clean Premium Microfibre Cloth to absorb as much as possible. Do not rub.
- Wet the stained area with a small amount of water.
- Dab a small amount of Organic Castile Soap directly onto the stain.
- Gently work the soap into the stain with the Premium Microfibre Cloth
- Rinse with clean water and blot with a clean, damp cloth to remove the soap and lifted dirt.
- Allow to dry completely.
Small stains and everyday marks on carpets and rugs.
Soap loosens the stain from the fibres, and rinsing then blotting lifts both soap and dirt out rather than spreading them.
The science: How oils become soap (ScienceDirect) →
Waxed floors:
Do not use Castile Soap on waxed or oiled wood floors, because it could break down the wax.
Mixing with acids:
Since Castile Soap is alkaline, you shouldn’t mix it directly with acidic substances like lemon juice, Citric Acid or vinegar. Acid will react with the soap itself and break apart the soap molecules and neutralise its effects.
Hard Water:
Whilst Castile Soap is a very reliable and mild cleaner, it can leave a residue on shiny or hard surfaces, especially when it’s used with hard water (the soap reacts with minerals from the water to form a salt). Use Castile Soap with distilled water if you live in a hard water area or cut through the leftover residue by applying an acid rinse afterwards like this Citric Acid solution: 1tsp Citric Acid in 250ml, spray onto surfaces and wipe away any residues.
Once prepared, this spray will last for approximately 4 to 8 weeks. For optimal shelf life, store it properly labeled in amber or dark bottles to protect it from light. If it starts to look or smell off before the 8-week mark, discard it and make a fresh batch.
Store Castile Soap sealed tightly, in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Our fragrance-free Organic Castile Soap is hypoallergenic, pet- and skin-safe, which means it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions than other types of soap. Needs dilution: If you don’t dilute Castile Soap with water, it can be very concentrated. This can make it hard on surfaces and the skin.
B&M Pro-Tip 1:
Act fast! Lots of everyday stains can be washed out if you tackle them quickly. For protein-based stains such as blood, milk or egg, always start with cold water, as hot water can set the stain. For more stain-removing tips and solutions, see our complete stain removal guide →.
B&M Pro-Tip 2:
Not sure what the stain is? Start with cold water: hot water sets protein stains like blood, egg and milk. Stain removal steps →
Quick questions
Will it work on red wine?
It helps on fresh spills. For set-in stains, try our Miracle Stain Remover (not on wool).
Why cold water for some stains?
Hot water sets protein stains like blood, milk and egg, so always use cold for those.
Try this next: Carpet & Shoe Freshener →