Couch and Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dog Owners

Every Pet Owner Knows the Hardships of Stains on the Carpet

If you have dogs, then you will have accidents that involve stains on your carpets and your furniture. The good news is that most stains created by your dog on your carpet and your furniture can be easily fixed with some basic products you are very likely to have around the house. Here are some carpet cleaning tips for dog owners.

The key issue with pet stains, both urine, and feces, is to start the clean up as soon as possible. Once the fluids have dried into the fabric fibers, it is much more challenging to remove both the stain as well as the odor. Of course, there can be other stains that will occur as well. This easy cleaning method can also work for dirt and other pet stains such as vomit or even drool.

Urine and Feces Stains

For any type of fabric surface, the most important thing is to remove as much of the urine as possible before any cleaning products or solutions are used. Ideally, avoid the use of any types of commercial chemicals as this can leave a residue on the surface that can irritate your dog’s skin or even your skin.

If you are dealing with a mess, including any solid waste, pick that up first and then proceed as if it was just a liquid stain. With white or very light carpets there may be the need for commercial stain removers if the feces have been on the carpet or furniture for more than a brief period of time.

Blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Paper towel works well, and it can be disposed of easily. The key is to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Spend time pressing down gently and allowing the towel to absorb the liquid.

It is important to blot and not rub. Rubbing or twisting the cloth or paper towel can damage the fibers and actually spread the urine out more and push it deeper into the fabric.

When the area is dry and no more liquid shows on the paper towel, spray a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water on the area. This should be a good soaking spray, not just a mist. It is important to soak the entire area. The vinegar will help to neutralize the ammonia that is found in the urine, which will dramatically reduce the smell.

Using a small brush, vigorously scrub the entire area to work the vinegar and water solution deep into the fibers. As you have removed most of the urine with the blotting, this allows the vinegar and water solution to provide an effective cleaning and odor neutralizing function.

Without removing any of the water/vinegar solution, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the wet area. This will react with the vinegar and bubble, which will lift the stain from the fabric fibers. Leave this overnight to dry completely. Then vacuum up the dry baking soda for a clean, odor free carpet or couch.