All of us believe that our pets are the best pets in the world, and we wouldn't be without them. However, no matter how well trained your pet is, they can have accidents. Cat or dog urine and faces are not always the easiest thing clean up, especially if the accident happened on your carpets. You can clean the mess yourself, or you can get a professional carpet cleaning service to take care of it for you.
If you decide to remove the stains and odors yourself using a carpet cleaner or home remedy, it's really important to patch test the product first. Try the product on a small, hidden area of your carpet or rug, and check for any signs of damage. If you don't see any, then the product should be fine to use on the rest of the carpet or rug.
There's a huge number of products available on today's market that can be used for treating pet stains and odors, or you can use products that you may have in your home store cupboard.
How To Clean Your Carpets
The carpet cleaning methods and materials you use to clean your carpet will depend on what kind of pet odor you're treating. Removing the stains and odors caused by cat urine is different to removing the stains and odors caused by dog urine. If you're unsure about how to approach cleaning your carpets or rugs, you can contact a carpet cleaning company in Ottawa. The professional carpet cleaners will be able to remove the stains and odors easily.
Cat Odors
Cat odors can be particularly potent and extremely strong smelling. You can purchase a cleaner and deodorizing product designed specifically for cat urine, but you should be able to remove using items commonly found in your home. Combine water and baking soda to make a paste. Apply this paste to the affected areas, after performing a patch test. You should wear gloves for this. Then, pour distilled white vinegar over the stain. Blot up the moisture using paper towels, or a dry clean towel. If you need to you can re-apply the paste and vinegar, but no more than two times.
Rinse the area with water, and blot. You can leave the area to dry or you can use a hairdryer or large fan.
Dog Odors
You will use different products for removing dog urine. If it a new stain and is still wet, you can blot it up with towels, before removing the odor. Older, dried stains may need to be soaked and blotted. Then, after a patch test, apply cornstarch directly on to the stain, making sure to cover the entire surface area. Leave it to sit for around thirty minutes, then rinse with water. Blot with paper towels or a towel.
Some dog owners recommend using vinegar or chemical cleaning products, although others don't. Some owners say that the strong smell encourages the dog to toilet in the same area to mark its territory.
Steam Cleaner
If you own a steam cleaner, it can be used to deal with pet stains. However, if it isn't used properly, then it can cause the stains to become permanent.
Before you begin, make sure to vacuum the area well. This will remove any loose debris and make it easier to clean the area. If the area is badly stained you can use a pre-treating agent, but make sure that you use the same kind as a the cleaner you use in your steam cleaner. If you've never used a pre-treatment product before then you will need to do a patch test. Work the pre-treatment product into the area using a brush with moderately stiff bristles. Don't over work the area as it could cause damage to the carpet fibers. Don't let the area dry out, move immediately to steam cleaning. Fill your cleaner with hot water and a cleaning chemical matching the pre-treatment product you used. Clean the area using the method recommended by the manufacturer. Leave the carpet for around twenty minutes before rinsing with water. You may need to rinse more than once before the water runs clear. Leave the carpet to dry completely. You can speed the process up by using your air conditioner, dehumidifiers and fans.
Dealing with pet stains isn't easy, and you don't want to damage the fibers of your carpet, so always do a patch test before using any product. You should always follow the instructions on the product exactly. If you feel nervous or apprehensive about cleaning the carpet yourself, then you should call professionals. They will be able to give advice, and they will have the experience, expertise and competence to deal with even the most pungent of odors without risking any damage to your carpet or rug.
About the Author
Jason Maxwell is the president of 1Clean Air, a duct and carpet cleaning specialist operating in the Ottawa region. He is 21 and operates the biggest duct cleaning company in the Capital Region. You can find 1Clean Air on facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/1Cleanair/ or you can visit their website at : http://1cleanair.ca
