Getting Pet Stains Out of Carpet – Quick Home Remedies

19 Aug Getting Pet Stains Out of Carpet – Quick Home Remedies

Our love for our little furry companions knows no bounds, but we all experience those tense moments when our best friend makes a mess on our brand new carpet. We know they don’t mean any harm by it, but it’s frustrating when a guest comes over and there are a few obviously discolored spots on the floor. Whether you’re training a young animal, or caring for an elderly one, it’s good to have a few tricks up your sleeve when it comes to getting pet stains out of carpet.

These methods will not only help save your animal from your annoyance but also keep your carpet looking fresh. And, best of all, these are items you most likely already have in your house.

First, Don’t Rub It In

Sometimes, you catch your puppy or kitten in the act. Other times, it’s the sickening sensation of walking across the room and suddenly feeling something wet between your toes. Either way, if you act quickly, you can minimize the damage.

Grab some paper towels or a cleaning rag, and blot or dab the stain. Be sure not to wipe or rub, as doing so could actually spread the urine through the carpet and make the stain bigger. You could push the urine down further into the carpet fibers, making it harder to get out.

Dab firmly, and you should see the stain start to pull out of your carpet as it gets absorbed into the towel. The area where the urine was should look better, but you don’t want to stop there. After dabbing the stain, you have a few different options:

Club Soda

A quick fix for getting pet stains out of carpet is pouring some simple club soda over the area. After you dab the spot with a towel, pour the club soda. It’s only effective while actively bubbling, though, so you may have to repeat the process several times.

Once the club soda stops bubbling, dab the spot again. If the stain is still visible, repeat. Club soda is generally an effective solution for getting rid of small stains and may reduce odor – however it may not be the best solution for serious urine stains.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

In certain cases, you may want to skip the small stuff and go straight for the big guns. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the stain. Then, apply some hydrogen peroxide (preferably 3%), along with a little dab of dish detergent. Scrub into the area of the stain, and let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then vacuum the area. The peroxide and baking soda will remove the stain, neutralize the odor, and sanitize the area.

If you’re unsure whether the peroxide you have will discolor your carpet, try a test spot out on a less noticeable area. If your carpet gets discolored, this may not be the option for you. Also, the dish detergent may leave a residue in your carpet.

Hydrogen Peroxide is obviously also toxic if ingested, so be wary of your pets investigating the area.

The #1 Home Remedy for Getting Pet Stains Out of Carpet

In terms of home remedies, the most popular by far is some baking soda and simple white vinegar. Pour the vinegar directly over the stain, enough to saturate the area where the urine is. The acidity in the vinegar will break down the stain, and neutralize the odor. Next, pour a small amount of baking soda over the stain. Baking soda will absorb the odor of the urine, as well as absorb the color.

Soon, you’ll see the yellow color of the urine pull out of your carpet and soak into the white baking soda. You’ll need to wait for the mixture to dry before you try to clean it up. Cover the spot with a bowl or a plate, to prevent your family or pets from accidentally stepping in it. Wait a day or so for everything to completely dry out, then run a vacuum over it.

If you don’t like the idea of putting straight vinegar on your carpet, you can also dilute it with water, however, it may not work as effectively. For your convenience, you can also pre-combine the vinegar-water mixture in a squirt bottle. Be sure to keep the baking soda separate, though. It’s most effective when applied directly to the soiled spot, and always make sure to put it down AFTER the vinegar has been applied. If you do it before, you’ll create a frothy baking soda mess. For a citrus accent, you can add a squirt of lemon too!

This solution is often preferred because it’s non-toxic to your pet. You can also use baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to get the same effect, but you should keep your pet away from the spot until you’ve fully cleaned it.

Consider Getting Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned

Whether these home remedies worked to your satisfaction or not, you still want to consider having your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year. Regardless of if you have a carpet for decoration or comfort, they end up collecting a lot of dirt, grime, and stains. If not treated correctly, urine stains can harbor harmful bacteria that build up in the fibers of your carpet.

With over 20 years of experience with carpets, Always Immaculate can provide a thorough, professional carpet cleaning. If you need help getting pet stains out of carpet, or you just want to give it a facelift, Always Immaculate is here for you. Contact us today!