Pet stains. They're no fun to deal with, but are an inevitable part of being a pet owner. Take a look below to learn how to rid your carpets of some common stains caused by our pets.
Ultimately, the best way to get rid of stains is by cleaning them up as soon as possible. The longer urine, vomit or feces dries in your carpet, the harder it will be to fully remove. Especially urine. The alkaline nature of pet's urine will bleach your carpet over time. Definitely not ideal!
When you notice a fresh accident, put on some gloves and use paper towels to absorb or pick up the mess. Don't rub! Rubbing pet stains will only push the mess further into the carpet. Instead, blot the stain. After, use a homemade vinegar water mixture to neutralize the ammonia and sanitize the area.
Vinegar Mix:
1 part vinegar
1 part water
Mix in a spray bottle
Tip: add baking soda to your vinegar water mixture for extra odour control.
For vomit, try: 2 cups of warm water, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Let the mixture sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes. Remove, and blot dry with a towel. Make sure to keep your pet away from the area until the spot is dry.
What about old urine stains? The best way to deal with older stains is with an enzyme-based cleaning product. There are lots of options on Amazon! Make sure to look for enzyme cleaners that target pet stains and follow the directions on the label.