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How To Clean Pet Stains from Carpet

Yes it is unpleasant, but it can easily happen in a home with pets, children or otherwise. The biological stains from pet and other accidents have staining and persistent odor properties. Particularly with pet accidents, you want to make doubly certain that you completely eradicate the stain to prevent repetitive soiling. To this end, it is best to choose a cleaner that will break down the actual stain on a molecular level rather than simply masking the odor or alleviating the appearance of the spot. The following guidelines will help you address all aspects of removing pet and biological stains from your carpet. Have plastic bags and clean paper towels handy. Although protective gear is always recommended when using even the mildest cleaning product, you may be especially interested in using plastic gloves for this type of stain.

How To Remove Dog & Cat Pee Stains and Odor

The first step is to remove any bulk stain material that may be resting on the surface of your carpet. Paper towels or other disposable tools are preferable to avoid spreading unwanted material in subsequent cleanings. Use a blotting motion rather than rubbing, so as not to spread or grind in the stain.

Next, use a bacterial or enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle to treat the stain. These cleaners are available at pet stores and janitorial supply stores. However, if you have a wool or silk carpet, enzymatic cleaners are not an appropriate solution as the enzymes can also digest the natural fibers of the carpet. Refer to the article on special care for silk and wool carpets for specific directions for removing stains from those materials. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and clean in a perimeter outside the visible stain as pet stains can spread out and down. It may be useful to apply the product to a paper towel first, rather than applying it directly to the carpet to help avoid an excess of product. Keep in mind that carpets come in a wide variety of materials, and unusual carpet pigments or materials such as leather, suede or exotic synthetics may not react favorably with cleaning solutions. You may also wish to consider the backing material of your carpet or rug, and whether or not it will react to the cleaning solution. Any stain remedy should be tested in an inconspicuous area.

Follow stain removal with a light overall cleaning. Mix 1 TB of borax into a quart of water. Apply with clean paper towels to remove product residue and alleviate any remaining stain. Follow with a clear water rinse and blot dry or use the appropriate wet/dry vacuum. In a home with pets, borax has the added benefit of assisting in flea control. Another great flea control tip is to put a flea collar in your vacuum bag.

Caution: Never mix cleaning agents or chemicals, the result can be dangerous or deadly. Before cleaning, always test the agent on an inconspicuous location to determine its suitability and to make certain it does not damage the material. Wear appropriate clothing such as gloves and protective eyewear, and work in a well-ventilated area. Accidental inhalation or ingestion of cleaning agents can be hazardous and even fatal, particularly to pets and children.






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