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How To Clean Pet Stains from Painted Surfaces

Painted surfaces like the legs of indoor and outdoor furniture may fall victim to a territorial dog or pet stain material can be tracked onto other painted surfaces of your home. The biological stains from pets 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 lifting pet and biological stains off painted surfaces that have been contaminated. Painted surfaces and base materials can vary widely, so test all cleaning solutions and application techniques in an inconspicuous  location before using them in a wider area.

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.

The first step is to remove any bulk stain material that may be resting on the surface of the painted material. Paper towels or other disposable tools are preferable to avoid spreading unwanted material in subsequent cleanings.

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. Follow the manufacturer's directions, Apply the product to a clean paper towel, and then work on the area of the painted surface that has been affected. Follow with a light overall cleansing using a dilute solution of mild pH neutral dish liquid and water applied with clean paper towels. You may also wish to add borax to the cleaning solution for disinfectant properties. Use about 1/2 to 1 cup of borax for a gallon of cleaning solution. Finish with a clear water rinse. Avoid over wetting, and allow the painted surface to dry thoroughly. If a large area was affected, you may wish to use fans to help facilitate drying and prevent lingering moisture that could  encourage mildew growth.

For a really upsetting stain like old fecal matter, specialized sprays are available from medical supply companies. These sprays are a mixture of lubricating solvents, disinfectants, and ingredients to break down fecal matter. Use the spray to soften and dislodge dried matter, then follow with light overall cleansing as above.

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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