How to safely clean carpets w/ a baby?

[bw52]

I want to buy a steam cleaner (renting one grosses me out, b/c I don't know where it's been or what it's been used on). But I'm concerned about using the strong chemicals with it when LO rolls all over the floor. I've read a lot lately about how the chemicals aren't safe. Some say after 4 + hours they aren't as bad, but I'd rather not have to use any. So what do people with kids do? Our carpet REALLY needs a good clean. Especially w/ LO about to be crawling everywhere. Can I just use water? Will that clean it well? Or it there some safe cleaner that really works better than water? I've tried searching and so far haven't had any luck.

I prefer to do it myself (or let dh ) than hire someone else.

[rrpate]

ok call me what ever you want to ...but when i first read that title i just about died laughing.....

How to saftly clean carpets w/a baby? well ...ummmmm first you take baby and very gently rub him/her on the carpet. then ........ ok ok ! know i am not wanting baby to get hurt for sure! just caught me as funny

[chitownmelli]

I like basic h by shaklee. I just put a few drops, seriously, just a few drops in the water tank, and clean like usual. It seems to work well with my machine, leaves no residue, and the stuff is safe enough to bathe with - so I would trust it on my carpet with a baby rolling around on it :)

[RosieG]

Originally Posted by rrpate ok call me what ever you want to ...but when i first read that title i just about died laughing..... How to saftly clean carpets w/a baby? well ...ummmmm first you take baby and very gently rub him/her on the carpet. then ........ ok ok ! know i am not wanting baby to get hurt for sure! just caught me as funny

I was thinking that maybe you need to make sure the diaper is clean before you clean the carpet with the baby. I am glad I am not the only warped one here.

[chitownmelli]

you guys are funny!

[Macaela25]

We use pourable Lysol, Fabuloso, or Pine Sol type cleaners. They work just fine and are nowhere near as harsh.

[cintinative]

We used the Bissell little green. I am actually not totally sure what is in the solution but it is mostly water. I would check before you buy, but it was a lifesaver for me because 1) it's handheld and 2) my kids were pukey (I mean, really really pukey). It's not a whole carpet sort of cleaner. It is a "Oh look, he just spilled his entire hot chocolate on the floor" sort of cleaner. I have very little experience with the full size units so I can't tell you if they are any good. I do use Spot Shot for spot cleaning. It claims it is nontoxic. I am not sure what your concerns are specifically, but I certainly understand them. At worst, you can use a blanket on the floor with the baby on the blanket to avoid direct contact with the carpet. I had to do this just because my kids were so pukey as babies anyway.

[MrsPinecone]

I adore my Bissell Little Green for upholstery and spot cleaning.

I also have an upright Bissell Quicksteamer. I just used it yesterday, and it got some really nasty stuff out and was under $100. It's so easy to use, and I don't think that the solutions are caustic.

I spot treat with an Oxy spray (the Dollar Tree version works just fine.)

[jamadibobb]

Vinegar is a safe cleaner around the baby. I actually use it to disinfect my little ones toys. The smell is quite strong at first but will be gone when the carpet dries.

[Cynthiabutterfly]

Originally Posted by Macaela25 We use pourable Lysol, Fabuloso, or Pine Sol type cleaners. They work just fine and are nowhere near as harsh.

we've used these too, DH likes Simple Green the best (and it's non-toxic and VERY concentrated) but I think the smell is quite strong.

I like to use a powdered laundry soap (like Ariel or Roma, they are both very cheap and Roma is available at the $ store) they clean VERY well (I should know, I have 2 small boys, dogs, cats and a mechanic hubby) and they smell nice to boot.