All of us pet owners know that accidents happen and when they happen it is generally on our carpet. Carpet is a highly absorbent, thick woven material that soaks up liquids quickly. This makes it extremely difficult to clean any accidents that come about. Sure, we are able to surface treat these accidents and do our best to make sure there isn’t an immediate odor left behind. But, it takes way more than a little spot treatment and a towel to fully take care of a stain. Not to mention, a lot of pet-stain treatment products can be very costly and sometimes not even do the trick.
You would be surprised to know that you may already have items in your house that work wonders on treating pet-stains. Look no further, these everyday items may be in your pantry or fridge and may save you from dealing with returning stains, odors, or your pet re-marking the area.
- Club Soda – Club soda is the perfect carbonated liquid to pre-treat a soiled spot on carpet. For best results you may need to apply the club soda more than once because it is only doing its job while it is bubbling. After each application make sure, once you let it set for a little bit and the fizzing has stopped, you gently blot the area. Repeat as necessary
- Baking Soda – For those tough pet stain spots that had the chance to drink, apply a decent amount of baking soda to the stain and let sit for a few hours. Make sure you keep your furry friend away from the treated away while the baking soda sets. It is a safe treatment method; however direct indigestion can give your pet an upset stomach. After the baking soda has sat for a bit simply vacuum it up. If you have a heavily soiled spot it can be beneficial to first use the club soda solution mentioned above and finish it off with the baking soda.
- White Vinegar – White vinegar is perfect for treating an accident on your carpet when it is still wet. The highly acidic solution work to neutralize the urine smell immediately and prevent any odors from resurfacing. Make sure you blot the area, do not rub it. Rubbing the area will only make the stain go deeper into the carpet’s thick fibers. Once you are done, mix together some more vinegar with cold water and pour over the area. Blot again, let dry, then vacuum over the stain and you should be good to go!
- Bleach – be careful to only use this treatment option on light-colored carpet. It is important to make sure you heavily dilute the bleach, using approximately 10 parts water to only one part of bleach. If you have one available, a spray bottle works great for this treatment solution. Spray the stained area and let sit for 10-15 seconds before rinsing the entire area with lukewarm water. Repeat this process until you can no longer see the stain. It is ideal to make sure you test an unseen area of your carpet first to make sure the solution will not discolor you carpet.
Looking for more helpful home tips and solutions? The Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association has you covered!
