Pet Stain & Odor Removal

Pet stains can be especially challenging due to the instinctive behavior of dogs and cats to repeatedly "mark'" their territory. Their extraordinary ability to detect minuscule amounts of odor causes them to re-use the same spots again and again. Cleaning products especially designed to eliminate pet odors are helpful for cleaning up pet stains and discouraging their recurrence. This article provides advice for initially cleaning pet stains, overall cleaning, and helpful tips for preventing pet stains.

Oops! When You Discover a Puppy Puddle

Discovering animal accidents on carpeting may prompt you to grab a handful of paper towels, and press them down to soak up the mess. This actually drives the liquid into the flooring beneath the carpet, and can lead to problems with mold and structural damage.
Instead, clean up any solid waste and soak up residual liquid with paper towels. Allow the towels to soak up the liquid. Discard and replace the paper towels until the area is damp rather than soaked.
Following manufacturer's instructions, apply an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet stains to the soiled area.

Considerations for Protecting Your Floors

To paraphrase a famous statement about destroying a village to save it, you want to avoid damaging your flooring to clean it. Here are some specific tips according to the type of flooring you have.
Hardwood flooring: Ideally, your hardwood floors have been protected with a durable urethane finish. If not, proceed carefully, as chemicals (and pet stains) can permanently discolor and damage your floor's finish. Professional restoration may be needed if pet stains have penetrated hardwood flooring.
Laminate flooring: Harsh cleaners can dull the finish of laminate flooring. Be sure that any product you're using is safe for laminate floors.
Spot-test cleaning products before cleaning pet stains: Most carpeting is made from durable synthetic fibers that can withstand pet stains and cleaning products, but it's always a good idea to test any cleaning agent on a small area of carpeting that's not visible.

Home Remedies for Removing Pet Stains

You can formulate cleaning solutions from household products. Popular mixtures include using 1 tsp. of dish detergent to 1 cup of warm water, and white vinegar mixed to a ratio of one part vinegar to two parts water. Avoid using too much water or detergent, as soaking your flooring can cause serious damage, while using too much detergent can cause a problem with lingering soap suds.
Although home remedies can be useful for cleaning up occasional pet stains, using enzymatic cleaners specifically designed to clean pet stains can provide better results while preventing repeated pet accidents.

How Enzymes Work to Eliminate and Prevent Pet Stains

Dogs and cats can smell odors completely undetectable to humans. Enzymatic cleaners destroy the bacteria in pet waste that causes its odor. This lessens the possibility of your pets responding to residual odor that you can't detect. Using enzymatic cleaners for spot cleaning and for overall carpet cleaning can help break the cycle of repeated marking indoors.
Enzymatic cleaners are typically mild solutions that won't damage your flooring, but follow the manufacturer's instructions when diluting and using any cleaning products. Don't be tempted to use stronger dilutions than recommended.
When you have your carpets professionally cleaned, be sure to request cleaning appropriate for removing pet stains and odors.

Preventing Pet Stains

Animal accidents indoors are particularly annoying and offensive. The key to avoiding pet stains is ensuring that your animals are healthy and that their needs are met.
If a housebroken animal suddenly reverts to having accidents indoors, consider any changes you've made in your pet's diet, or household routines. If your pet is on medication and starts having accidents, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Ensure that your pets have access to the outdoors or other appropriate place for eliminating waste. If pet stains persist, have your pet examined by a veterinarian to rule out health problems.
Be patient with elder pets, as they can become incontinent for a variety of reasons. Repeated accidents can signify illness.