Would vinegar & laundry detergent have any positive effects on a dingy white carpet?
Answers:
I wouldn't put diluted bleach on a carpet either. Just because it's white doesn't mean that the chlorine will not chemically react leaving it a strange color. You might try ammonia (pretty strong concentration if the carpet is that dirty) and will probably have to go over it a couple of times but it will work. Vinegar will remove odors but not stains and dirt very well. And laundry soap, well, all I can say is it's a good way to mess up a carpet cleaning machine (which is why rug doctor recommends a de-sudsing agent added to the machines you rent). Good luck. If there are any persistent stains, I've used Blue Magic auto carpet and upholstery cleaner to remove pet stains and the like and it works better than the ones mfr for household carpeting.
Other answers:
You may have better luck using a diluted bleach solution, rather than douching your carpet with vinegar. Just rinse well after with clear water in a Rug Doctor.
You may have better luck using a diluted bleach solution, rather than douching your carpet with vinegar. Just rinse well after with clear water in a Rug Doctor.
Try the vinegar and laundry detergent it can't hurt. Diluted bleach may also work. Try hanging to dry in a very sunny area maybe even leave overnight and an extra day in the sun. I have tried the latter and was successful. If all else fails there is a product RIT Dye puts out I think it's called Bleach White.
deodorizing mostly might help with a few stains but your best bet is to get carpet shampoo. You can apply it by hand just make sure you rince well with a cloth and soak up as much as possible afterwards with towels or rags and then air out the room til it dries so you don't get mold.
Hope this helped
Since you don't say what the carpet fibers are and may not know (i.e.nylon, wool, polyester), proceed with caution. You may make the situation worse. For example, bleach will literally melt nylon fiber and break down the twist. If it is jute backed, you do not want to break it down either.
I suggest one of two solutions. ChemDry (my preference) makes an at home carpet cleaning kit. No machines, no water, no wet carpet or chance of mold or mildew. Get the formulation with brighteners. Home Depot in my area carries it, but so does our local janitorial supply store.
You simply sprinkle the dry granuals over the area to be treated. They give you a brush with a long handle to agitate the granuals into the carpet fiber. It will go on semi-moist and you simply wait for it to dry and vacuum it up. Voila! Carpets look like new, smell great and it will resist future stains as well. Note, if you have stains, it is worth it to buy an individual container of their pre-spot treatment and hit those first.
You can also use Woolite or Scotchguard Carpet Foaming Cleaner which is sold at drug and discount stores. It works well by simply foaming, agitating and vacuuming, too. But if it is really dingy, you may need several applications for the best results. The Scotchguard brand has the added benefit of leaving residual scotchguard to resist future staining.
All of these methods are the safest I know for the fibers and backing, short of having the carpet professionally cleaned. I've used all in my heavy traffic rentals with success. Good luck!