Home Remedy for Pet Stain Removal

Anyone who loves a pet and keeps one in their home knows that they make stains. The most common stains are urine, feces, vomit bile, and blood. Removing these stains is not always easy. Note: It is a good idea to test these remedies in a remote location (like the back of a closet) prior to using them in case the remedy has an unexpected interaction with your rug or flooring (or anything you are cleaning).

Urine Stains

To remove the odor and discoloration of urine: The first tip is not to use ammonia-based cleaners as these may actually attract your animal back to the same spot because there is ammonia in urine as well. The second tip is to try to get to the stain fast. Most stains are more responsive just after they have been deposited. Blot to absorb as much of the moisture from the stain as possible. Use white paper towels and press down rather than rubbing.

These are easy to discard but if you place them in a garbage can that isn't full, the odor may persist. You can reuse a zip-lock bag to seal out the blotting towel's odor. If the stain has set up a bit, add water to reactivate the stain and blot until all you get is clear water. This means most of the urine has been pulled out.

Benefits Of Vinegar

For urine stains that have set for some time, mix white vinegar and water half-and-half in a spray bottle. Vinegar is a natural herbicide that kills many of the bacteria and micro-organisms that carry odors. Spray the mixture on the spot activating the stain, blot and remove the urine. A few drops of dishwashing soap can be added to the mixture for extra stubborn stains. Allow the carpet to dry for 24 hours. Use baking soda to deodorize by sprinkling the baking soda over the spot, allowing it to sit for several hours. Vacuum and your rug will smell fresh.

Bile Stains and Feces

To remove bile from vomit, blot. A baby diaper is excellent for larger stain absorption. Sprinkle salt over the stain and then apply a moist cloth. Press the cloth down with bricks and leave for several hours.

For feces, apply vinegar directly on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before blotting it dry from the center out. Or apply club soda to the feces spot, let it sit for five minutes then blot or vacuum with a shop vac.

Blood Stains

To remove blood and protein pet stains: Remove as much of the stain as you can and then blot with cold water to lift more stain. Use a small amount (1 tbsp. or less per gallon) mild dishwashing soap (one that doesn't contain citrus), add this to a little water and spray or pour over your spot. Work this in if your stain has matted down. Allow the spot to sit for 10 minutes then use an absorbent paper towel to blot or vacuum with a shop vacuum until dry.

Pre-treating Fabrics

For furniture, the best option is to pre-treat your upholstery with a fabric guard. These can be purchased at most large department stores. By pre-treating your upholstery, you create a barrier for the penetration of stains into the foam or other fibers of your furniture. This is also a good idea for beds or mattresses if you have animals on them. Once treated, you can apply the same home remedies. Just try your remedy out in a discreet part of the furniture to test for color fastness before using it on a stain.