To reuse is better than to recycle, which is why I decided to deep clean my existing carpet over buying new eco-friendly carpet — though I put off that decision, aka actually cleaning the carpet, for longer than I’d like to admit….

But over the long weekend, I finally got to it!

Step 1. Get SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo by AFM Safecoat for $11.80 at Livingreen in Culver City. This non-toxic biodegradable cleaner is free of ammonia, phosphates, and dyes.

Step 2. Rent a carpet cleaner at Home Depot. A full-day rental cost me $24, though you can save a few more bucks by renting it for as little as 4 hours. The guy who signed it out to me gave me very detailed instructions on how to use it properly too.

I brought both home and got to work. While the process took some time and energy, it was kind of cool — and kind of gross — seeing how much dirt the carpet cleaner pulled up! Both the shampoo and the cleaner worked amazingly. And because the eco-shampoo’s odorless, I didn’t have to deal with any noxious fumes or worry about giving the carpet lots of time to air out.

A good chunk of my Sunday was spent just admiring my nice clean carpet. I’ve even instituted a no-shoes policy, though that’s unlikely to last….

Don’t have the energy to eco-clean your carpet yourself? Hire a green cleaner to do it for you.

Bottom photo via homedepotrents.com

[crossposted on BlogHer]

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