Removing Pet "Mess" Odors & Stains from Your Carpet
The Easy, Cheap, and Safe way
Whether it's urine, feces, or vomit, and regardless if it's from a dog or a cat, I had found myself always running off to one of the big name pet stores for some super carpet cleaner, that works, but it's expensive, and often not the healthiest thing to be using around pets.
The big selling point for plenty of these products is that they use a formula that removes the scent for your pet's keen sense of smell. (Often even though you can't smell the odor after cleaning, your pet can, and that's the reason they go back to that exact same spot to eliminate again and again).
After some online searching I've found a homemade solution that works just as well as any of these expensive products (better than some). After over two years of using this solution instead of the others, I can definitely say that it works!
The following recipe:
- is safe and harmless to your pets
- uses inexpensive supplies you likely already have around your home
- applies to both dog AND cat "Messes"
- works on urine, feces, and vomit
- works on new and old Messes
- removes stains
- kills bacteria that cause odors (even the ones only your pet can smell)
(with any cleaning solution you may want to test a small hidden section of your carpet for colourfastness)
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What you'll need: |
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*Instead of typing "Urine/Feces/Vomit," I will simply be referring to it as "The Mess"
Step 1
Recent Fresh Mess: If the mess is old and dried you can move on to Step 2. If the mess is recent remove as much of the excess as you can, then absorb as much of the wetness as possible using paper towels or an old towel. Place clean paper towels over the mess area and step on them (with your shoes on) so as to absorb as much of the mess as possible. Repeat with dry towels until no more moisture can be absorbed.
Step 2
Next, wet the area with a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Make sure you use enough of the solution to penetrate the fibers deep down. Allow it to almost dry. You can assist drying by blotting with paper towels as described above. If you own a wet and dry vacuum extractor use that to remove excess moisture.
Step 3
Apply a liberal amount of baking soda over the affected area. Mix the hydrogen peroxide with the liquid dish soap at a ratio of 1/4 cup of peroxide to 1 tsp of liquid dish soap. Drizzle the peroxide/dish soap solution over the baking soda.
Work it in with a scrubbing brush or your fingers (be sure to wear rubber gloves), to dissolve the baking soda and work it down into the carpet. Allow it to fully dry. Then vacuum any excess baking soda up and you're done! That's it!
- In my personal experiences sometimes a stiff bristled brush is needed to loosen any crusty baking soda up for the vaccuum. - Sometimes there might be a faded spot left on the carpet but after some foot traffic and a few vaccuumings it fully disappears.
How it works:
The acidity of the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in urine. The hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer capable of killing bacteria which cause the urine smells. Baking soda is a well known deodorizer which absorbs odors. Sprinkle it on your carpet monthly then vacuum up to keep your carpet smelling fresh all the time.
I did not create this recipe myself, but it IS the method I personally use. The original content can be found on this website: www.catsofaustralia.com
Remember, your pet doesn't just have these accidents to spite you. Usually there is a good underlying reason for the behaviour, and with some help from you it's often easily fixed.
Check out this link on the Top 10 Reasons Cats stop using the Litter Box. And always remember that spaying/neutering your pet is one of the best things you can do for them.
~Nicole Hearnes