Maybe you've replaced some of your commercial cleaning products and are happily cleaning everything in sight with vinegar and water. But carpeting may seem like a new ballgame. Can it really be done properly without commercial cleaning products?
Check it out. You may be able to phase out commercial spot removers, for instance, by substituting white vinegar and water.
Good old vinegar and water may get white glue or crayon stains out of your carpet. Grease spills may respond to sprinkling cornmeal on them and going over them with white vinegar and water.
Is there anything vinegar and water can't do? Well, realistically yes, plenty. But the list of possibilities is longer than you probably thought. Let's add removal of catsup, chocolate, coffee and cola to the list. And getting mildew out of your carpet fibers.
Red wine stain? Sprinkle some salt on the stain and after you take up the salt apply a little -- you guessed it -- white vinegar and water.
Is the change worth the trouble? "Commercial spot removers for carpets and rugs usually contain caustic substances, not to mention chlorine and/or petroleum-based solvents." A little more green never hurt.
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/5-green-carpet-cleaning-tips.htm