How To Treat Pet Stains

On her website, Homemaker Hero, Courtney keeps things simple by blending the 1950s housewife with the modern housewife. She features tips and tricks of how things were done “back then” and applies them to modern living. You can also find Courtney on Twitter @HomemakerHero.

Housekeeping Heaven: How To Treat Pet Stains

Fact: Most puppies are cute. Fact: Puppies are suddenly less cute when you get them home and find out they aren’t potty trained. Fact: That’s gross. How do you control the stains and smells? Never fear! I have tips!

Try an enzyme product. You’ll find enzyme products at pet stores, RV or marine stores. They are used in the holding tanks to dissolve solid material. Pour enough over the stain to saturate the pad and the entire area twice as large as the stain. Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. The urine hits the pad underneath the carpet and spreads. This is why you want to make sure to cover an area twice as large as the stain you do see from the surface. Let that sit for a couple of hours.

To work on the odor and any part of the stain left behind after the above treatment, baking soda and peroxide should take care of the rest. Mix 30/70 solution of peroxide to water adding ½ teaspoon of baking soda per cup of mixture. It will bubble and fizz, but it will also remove the stain and smell. Blot what you can with an old towel and rinse well with a 1/3 cup vinegar per quart of water.

Remember, peroxide is bleach and may discolor the carpet. Be sure to test a small hidden spot of carpet for colorfastness.

Wood and vinyl floors are generally easier to care for. This is why most people put their dogs in the kitchen or bathroom when they aren’t home and the puppy can’t wait for them to get home before needing to “go potty.”

For wood floors, gently scrape the floor to remove the solids. Wipe the area with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water and then rinse with a cloth dipped in clear cool water. Wipe dry. Wax or polish as usual. Treat vinyl floors the same way.

Next week, check out Housekeeping Heaven for “How to Clean a Rug”. Make sure you don’t miss any of Courtney’s housekeeping and cleaning posts by getting our free updates now!

Disclaimer: Treatments are recommendations only from personal experience and research.  Please use common sense in treating household stains and understand that damage may occur to certain materials.  IS World Media is not responsible for any damage that may occur while treating your pet stains.