How to Remove Pet Odor From Carpet and Padding
Pets leave "scent" marks that are the result of enzymes that their body produces and secretes through their glands and and skin into their fur and then onto your floors and furniture. These enzymes are difficult to clean with normal chemicals because the enzymes bind with fabrics. This means you will need to neutralize the enzymes instead of washing them off. There are many specialty cleaners designed to remove pet odors, but make sure to buy one that specifically has enzyme neutralizers. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Spread your pet odor neutralizing powder across the carpets liberally. You want a thin coat to fall down into the threads evenly across the entire floor. If in doubt, use more neutralizer, not less.
-
2
Allow the pet odor neutralizer to sit in your carpet for at least two hours. Ideally you will let the neutralizing powder sit for four hours. The longer it gets to sit, up to eight hours, will help neutralize more odors.
-
-
3
Vacuum up the pet odor neutralizing powder. It may take several trips with the vacuum cleaner to clean up all the powder.
-
4
Repeat steps 1 through 3 as necessary. You will need to wait at least 24 hours between cleanings to allow the enzymes to neutralize completely.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Baking soda is a good alternative treatment to remove many odors from carpet and can be used in place of more expensive enzyme neutralizers. Treat pet stains such as urine immediately, before they have a chance to set on your carpet. Make areas that your pet has soiled repeatedly unattractive or unavailable to them. Rewarding your pet for staying away from these areas will help prevent future accidents. Cleaning your vacuum cleaner and using a fresh bag or empty cylinder will prevent you from spreading around the enzymes you have previously vacuumed up.
Do not use strong scented cleaners on pet stains as this may attract your pet back to the same soiled spot. Do not use steam cleaners to clean urine stains and pet odors as they will activate the enzymes and permanently stain the carpets.
