Your dog expresses 10 to 20 milliliters of urine for every pound of body weight. If they’re having frequent accidents, that’s a lot of fluid to clean up.
And if you’re not careful, those accidents can quickly ruin your carpet, leading to tough stains and bad odors.
If your pup is soiling your floors, learn how to clean pet stains out of carpet with these five pet stain removal steps.
1. Soak Up Liquids
Before you start spraying cleaners or scrubbing your carpets, soak up as much fluid as you can.
Grab some cloths or paper towels, and gently press them into the wet spot. Don’t rub; this often just pushes the liquid down further, creating stubborn carpet pet stains.
If there’s any solid waste, this is also the time to make sure it’s all cleaned up and removed from the carpet. Again, don’t scrub, but carefully grab any solids to avoid pushing them deeper into the spot.
Use as many cloths or paper towels as you need to thoroughly soak up as much of your pooch’s accident as possible.
2. Attack With Water and Vinegar
To prevent pet stains on carpet, the next step is to apply water to the spot. Just apply enough to moisten the area, without soaking it.
If you have white vinegar on hand, you can also add equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar can disinfect the area, while helping to fight pesky odors.
Whether you use just water or a vinegar and water solution, leave it on the spot for a few minutes before blotting. Just like in step one, soak up as much of the liquid as you can.
3. Use a Carpet Cleaning Product
By now, much of the urine or waste is (hopefully) already soaked up and removed from your carpet. But you still may find some of the accident left behind, especially if it had time to dry before you found it.
That’s why it’s essential to next target the area with a cleaning product designed to remove stains from carpets.
You’ll find a range of options available on the market, from all-natural cleaners to tough stain-fighting solutions. When choosing a product, look for these features:
- designed to remove urine and other pet odors
- disinfects and/or sanitizes carpet
- lifts stains
- safe to use on your type of flooring
Make sure that the product you buy doesn’t only mask odors with a perfume. It should have agents that eliminate odors for good.
It’s also best to pick a cleaner that is specifically formulated for pet stains and accidents. And make sure that it’s designed for carpets, not for laundry or other surfaces.
After choosing a product, apply it to the spot according to the package directions. In most cases, you will need to soak up the product with a cloth, similar to previous steps with water and vinegar.
4. Deodorize
If you’re still worried about pet odor on carpet, there are additional steps you can take to deodorize the spot.
If a urine smell is still creeping through, even after cleaning the area, baking soda may help. Sprinkle baking soda where your dog urinated, and leave it overnight. Make sure your pup can’t get to the spot—they may try to lick it up, which could be toxic if they ingest too much.
After letting it sit for several hours, vacuum up the baking soda, making sure none is left behind.
You can also try using another cleaning agent designed to be left on accident spots. Unlike cleaners that are applied and wiped up after, some sprays attack odors over time. Look for a spray cleaner that promises to kill odor-causing bacteria, especially for pet stains.
5. Deep Clean Your Carpet
If your furry friend has made it a habit to soil your carpet, you may need professional help to properly remove stains and odors.
A professional cleaner knows exactly how to deep clean your carpet to get it looking (and smelling) fresh again. Most products and tools in stores don’t work on old stains left behind by your pooch, but a cleaning company has industrial-grade cleaners that can help.
Call on top-rated carpet cleaners to remove all the evidence of your dog’s past accidents.
How to Prevent Pet Accidents From Happening
Once you’ve cleaned your dog’s stains and worked hard to remove any lingering odors, it’s important to do what you can to prevent them from having accidents again.
First, if you do catch them soiling your floor, don’t punish them or become aggressive. Instead, interrupt the behavior and take your pet to their designated toilet spot (such as a pee pad or the backyard). Then, when they relieve themselves in the correct spot, reward and praise them.
If your dog tends to urinate when left home alone, consider crate training, where they’re left in a crate, not on the carpet.
Also, notice any triggers that may be related to your dog’s accidents. Take note of what usually happens before they urinate in your house, such as loud noises or being left alone. Sometimes, the best way to prevent accidents is simply by comforting your pooch.
If accidents are still occurring regularly, and especially if they’re happening more than before, visit your dog’s vet to rule out any potential health issues.
Your Guide to Pet Stain Removal
Your four-legged friend may be cute, but their accidents on the carpet aren’t. Use the pet stain removal steps outlined here to remove stains and odors once and for all.
For more tips to keep your home spotless, read our other articles on house maintenance and real estate!