Pet Odor Removal Tips

Lingering pet odors, can be a big turn off and challenging to keep on top off. If you start the clean up as soon as the pet messes it’s a lot easier, however we might not have been present and find the dirty deed long after the fact.

Here are some tips to eliminate pet odors:

Carpeting

You need to locate the exact specific spots and this often is difficult to do.

Try turning off the lights and darkening the room and using a black light. A black light will illuminate the spots.

Upon locating all the spots, now is the time to clean your carpet! Rent or use a water-extraction machine or a shampoo carpet machine and do not use any cleaners or chemicals. Use cool water. Steam cleaning for non-urine pet orders can be effective.

When your carpet is clean use a enzyme-based odor neutralizer and give it a light coating. Enzyme cleaners are available at vet’s offices and pet stores.

These enzymes contain bacteria that break down the proteins of the offending odor and permanently eliminating them and also help with stain removal. Then put baking soda over and let sit for the next eight hours and vacuum up. If after 24 hours, you still smell any remaining odor repeat the process.

Keep in mind however, if you have under-pad, it may have absorbed the odor and also needs to be treated.
The key is, where ever the urine has touched or soaked into will need to be cleaned. If it is a severe case,you might need to replace your carpeting.

Doing a regular upkeep, sprinkling baking soda on your carpet and letting it sit for a while before you vacuum can really help freshen up a room. For a deep clean, however, use a steam cleaning company.

Wood floors

Wipe and clean up the area and scrub it down with white vinegar to remove the stain and smell. Rinse the area with warm water and blot it dry. Dry it completely to avoid water damage; leaving liquid on the floor can warp the wood. Finally, dust the area with a specialized odor remover that contains enzymes to help offset future occurrences.

Older pet stains on wooden floors will probably need to be sanded down the wood to find out how deep the odors go. If the damage is severe you may need to replace part or all of the flooring.

Upholstered Furniture

Clean up the mess with a white rag or paper towels. Then dab on a solution of ¼ tsp mild laundry detergent to 1 cup warm water. Repeat this step until there is no coloration coming off onto the rag or paper towel.
Next, coat the area with a solution of 2 tbsp ammonia to 1 cup of water. Rinse this away with warm water.
Repeat this step and blot dry. Blot the area with a solution of 1 cup white vinegar to 2 cups of water and rinse. Cover the area with a few layers of paper towels and place a weight on top.
Change the towels out regularly until dry.

This method may also be used on carpeting but remember to scrub lightly!
Hard scrubbing forces the odors further into the carpet fibers which is exactly what you don’t want.
Saturation, soaking, and LIGHT scrubbing, is the most effective way to get rid of pet stains in your carpet.

Feces on carpeting or furniture

Pick up feces and discard. Blot the affected area with an ammonia solution (see above) and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot out excess solution and repeat this until the stain is gone. Rinse the area with cold water and blot until dry.