Pets are your closest friends and it is an absolute joy to be with them but sometimes they make your house messy by leaving stains on floors and carpets. All pet owners should know how to clean these stains and save their belongings from urine, feces, or vomit smell. Pet stains are easy to remove if we pay heed to some important steps. Every stain needs a different treatment and different tools to handle. A pet keeper must have the basics in his home. He especially needs it in the training part of a pet when he is small and needs to learn where to pee or pass feces. Here are some things to be considered in the process of carpet cleaning specially stain removal:
Selection Between Natural & Chemical Remover
There are two types of removers: Natural removers and Chemical removers. Chemical removers are mostly ammonia-based removers. Ammonia absorbs the stain while eradicating its smell as well. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical remover but it is preferred to use in less concentration due to its toxicity level.
Other methods are bio-enzymes and disinfectants. Disinfectants are used along with ammonia-based removers for the removal of bacteria from the surface of your carpet.
Natural removers include vinegar solution. Vinegar solution is mostly found in every kitchen cupboard. It is considered the best remover.
Bio-enzymes are used to kill bacteria. They are larger bacteria that consume urine and do not let the bacteria present in urine to consume leading to death.
In most cases, the natural remover is considered better than chemical remover due to its increased and easy availability. Moreover, one should not treat his carpet with toxic chemicals as it is harmful to human beings as well as for pets. Prefer eco-friendly methods for stain removal.
Difference Between Dry Stain & Wet Stain
As the name suggests, a dry stain is the one that is dried up completely or set on the carpet. A wet stain is a fresh stain that is not set. Both stains need different treatments.
For a dry stain, prefer to take carpet cleaning service from a licensed company. An odor neutralizer is then used for removing the smell. Chemical removers should not be used as your pet will identify the strong odor of the chemical and use the area for continuous urination. Avoid steam cleaning. It will diminish the quality of your carpet. If urine is completely soaked and dried in your carpet, you may have to replace your carpet or padding.
Wet stains are comparatively easy to clean. Dry wet stains by using towels. Paper towels are efficient to use. Dry it till minimum or no moisture is left in the carpet. Use bio-enzymes for killing bacteria and odor neutralizers for removing the smell. Dry your carpet under sunlight and it is ready to use again.
Types Of Stains
Stains include pet urine, feces, and vomit. Every stain is different to handle. Feces and vomit are difficult to manage because of their semi-solid physical nature but urine is easy if handled on time.
Dry urine stain as soon as possible. Use as many paper towels as you can. Soak it completely. Make vinegar and warm water solution in a spray bottle and spray it generously on the accident area. Sunlight is a bacteria killer. Dry it under sunlight.
Vomit stains appear faster than urine stains. A scraper is used to remove solid parts of vomit. A definite concentration of acid is present in vomit, resulting in dark stains. Other than ammonia-based remover, you can use dishwashing soap, baking soda, and salt mixture to remove a stain. Apply the mixture by using a sponge.
Feces are treated quite much like vomit. After removing solid waste, use blotting paper to absorb liquid content. A hydrogen peroxide mixture can be used to remove the stains in this case. Brush the area properly by using a bristled brush.
Important Steps To Note
- Drying with blotting papers and paper towels is your prime duty.
- Do not make homemade removers without measuring concentrations. Unknown concentrations can cause harm to you, your pet, and your carpet.
- Understand the purpose of each remover and use it according to the type of stain.
Vinegar Solution
Make vinegar solution in a spray bottle. Add 50% vinegar and 50% water to it. Do not fluctuate this measurement. Apply it liberally. It is acetic acid which is neutralizing ammonia in urine and dried urine comes on the surface of the carpet.
Baking Soda Used With Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda or caustic soda is also acidic in nature and hydrogen peroxide is highly toxic if you use it in concentrated form. A special recipe makes it perfect to use. 3% hydrogen peroxide is easily available in the market. Mix half a cup of this chemical with two cups of water and put it in a spray bottle. Rub baking soda with the help of a brush on the affected area and spray this solution whole-heartedly on it.
If stain is not tough to remove, you can just rub baking soda as well.,
- You can also use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning purposes. It is a safe cleaning method.
Vital Tips
- Try to spot the stain immediately.
- Use a black light to spot unseen stains.
- Put natural removers, odor neutralizers, and a bundle of paper towels in your home.
- Hire professionals. Some stains are difficult to clean at home. It is better to rely on experts to save your carpet.
Save Tricks For Future
- Animals can sense smell so put urine towels where you want them to eliminate.
- If your pet is trained and eliminating in an inappropriate place, get it examined by a veterinarian. It can be a sign of any disease.
- Motivate your pet to eliminate at a proper place.
Final Thought
Keeping a pet is a 24/7 responsibility. You need these tips to apply if you are training your pet or your pet needs a re-training. Keeping basic materials at home and going through all these tips and tricks will make it convenient for you to clean a stain from the carpet.
