Welcoming a new pet is an exciting time. You’ll experience loyal friendship and a companion you can count on. But you also might experience a time of transition with your new pet that presents challenges with messes on the carpet. We’re here to support you and your new pet with carpet cleaning tips for those little messes.
Even if you adopt a grown and house-trained animal, you might have some time of adjustment as the pet gets used to their new home. No matter how welcoming you are toward your new pet, they might feel anxious as they learn about their new life in your home.
And that anxiety can lead to accidents. Preserving your home means removing those accidents quickly and with the right tools and cleaners to prevent long-term stains and smells from permeating your carpet.
Bookmark this page so you’re ready to do pet accident clean up quickly when you encounter a problem. Here’s a look at some carpet cleaning tips for pet accidents.
Prepare a Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
Keep these carpet cleaning solution recipes handy. You can use regular household cleaners to keep your carpet looking and smelling great, even with a new furry friend in the home. This gives you more control over the solutions you use in your home and more agility to respond to a mess right away without rushing to the store for special cleaning supplies.
Plus, specialty pet cleaners often carry a high price tag. You don’t necessarily need to spend tons of money to keep your house smelling fresh despite animal accidents.
Here’s a look at what should go in your carpet cleaning solution for pet accidents.
- Baking soda and vinegar: start by covering the accident area with vinegar. Once coated, sprinkle some baking soda over the vinegar. Place a dishtowel over the solution and let it stand for a day or two. Remove the cloth, sweep up the baking soda, rinse the area with cool water and blot it dry with a towel.
- Dishwashing detergent: put a quarter teaspoon of dishwashing detergent in a spray bottle with a cup of warm water. Spray the stain and dab dry with a towel. Repeat as need until the stain and smell are gone.
- Ammonia: Mix two tablespoons of ammonia and one cup of water. Place mixture over the accident area and then dab it with a towel to dry it.
- Hydrogen peroxide: mix four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with two tablespoons of warm water and a couple of drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area, rinse with warm water and towel dry.
Purchase Stain Removers In-store
Some people don’t like making their own cleaning solutions at home, and that’s OK. You can purchase stain removers at your local grocery store that will also be effective in reducing or eliminating the impact of pet accidents on your carpet.
If you have a carpet cleaning solution that you like using for other spills and stains, go ahead and use that for your pets as well. Your largest consideration when shopping for carpet stain removers is odor removal. Some carpet stain removers do a better job of this than others.
Oxyclean and Resolve are both good options for cleaning up after pets without purchasing pet-specific carpet cleaners. If you’re looking for an eco-friendlier option, consider Biokleen.
Ask your carpet cleaning professional for their recommendations during your next professional carpet cleaning. Different types of carpet might respond differently to different cleaning solutions.
Be sure you don’t overdo it with the stain remover because it can leave a sticky feeling on your carpet or residue that gets tracked throughout your home.
Ideas for Set-in Pet Stains
If you have set-in pet stains, you might need to take a different approach to clean up your carpet. The longer the stain has been there, the more difficult it might be to neutralize it. Here are some tips for removing set-in pet stains.
- Rent a carpet cleaning vacuum from your local hardware store. This can help you get deeper into the carpet fibers to neutralize odors and pull out the set-in stain as much as possible.
- Purchase a pet odor neutralizer and spray the area thoroughly to remove the smell.
- Once the area is dry, apply a carpet stain remover if you still have a stained area.
- Do not use steam cleaners for pet accidents as these set in the odor and stain permanently because they bond the proteins to the fibers.
Tough set-in stains might require professional assistance. Once a stain has been left there for an extended period, the urine or vomit might have soaked through to your carpet padding. In some cases, removing the affected area is the best way to remove the odor and stain from your home. Before deciding this is the best course of action, be sure to consult a professional. Professional carpet cleaning can go deeper than any at-home solutions to restore your carpet to its original beauty without harming the nap of it.
Preventing Pet Accidents on Your Carpet
It’s a good idea to set up space for your new pet to adjust to their new home in a non-carpeted area. Set up a gate in your kitchen or another area that does not have any carpet. If your main living space has a rug, remove the rug temporarily. Keep your pets off the furniture for a little while and encourage them to use their animal bed to get comfortable as they adjust.
In those early days of life with your new pet, take some time off of work or work from home if you can. This might help your pet adjust to their new surroundings and get comfortable with being in your home. Offer your new companion reassurance that you’ll be there for them when they need you.
When you do leave your pet at home, it’s a good idea to put them in their crate.
This prevents accidents throughout your home, avoids damage to your home while you’re away and gives your animal a safe space they know they can go to when they feel anxious.
Discuss with your vet a good schedule for getting your animals used to such an arrangement. Your vet might recommend a phased-in approach where you leave for a little longer each day to help your animal adjust and feel comfortable in your home.
Professional Carpet Cleaning for Pet Stains
Pet stains in your carpet can be sneaky and difficult to remove even with your best efforts. When you’ve done all you can, call in the experts.
A Advanced Home Care offers carpet cleaning for all types of stains and odors, including those from your new pets. Once you welcome a pet into your home, it’s a good idea to schedule regular carpet cleaning. This will help keep pet dander at bay, ensure your home smells fresh and remove any accidents before they set into your carpet permanently.
We can also offer counsel on tough stains and elongating the life of your carpet with removing areas with deep stains. Get the most life and beauty out of your carpet investment with regular carpet cleaning. Contact us now for an estimate.
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