Dealing With Pet Odor In Your Home
Many of us have them, and we sure love them. Pets are a big part of many families, and for all the joy they bring, sometimes they cause some problems in the way of odor. From a buildup of pet dander to messy accidents, pet odor can be pretty strong. Luckily there are some precautions that can be taken before pet odor removal is a serious problem.
1. Vacuum Regularly: If you read our blog at all, you will notice that recommending consistent vacuuming is a common theme. In general, pet dander isn’t smelly, but if it’s left to build up in your carpet for a while, it will start to stink. Vacuuming every few days will pull a good portion of that dander from the carpet, as well as any other allergens your pets may have brought in on their coats.
2. Clean Your Pet: We definitely aren’t recommending daily baths for your cat, but a good brush to pull out any build up, or even a wipe down after Fido has been outside (because who KNOWS what he’s rolled in this time) can help to keep those odors at bay.
3. Clean Up Accidents Right Away: For pet urine, we recommend first placing a folded clean dry towel on top of the wet spot, and placing something heavy on top of the towel for about an hour to draw as much of the urine out of the carpet as possible. If it’s a large amount, it may be necessary to change the towel halfway through. Once the spot is mostly dry, the urine smell can be neutralized by spritzing with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar, and then blotting with another clean dry towel. For solid waste, scoop as much off of the area first, being careful not to grind it in to the carpet fibers. Then spot clean with a very small amount of dish soap and warm water. Blot, don’t scrub. Once the spot has been removed, blot again with clean water to remove any soapy residue.
Of course, for larger messes or ongoing problems, an at-home spot clean won’t cut it. Sometimes pet messes, especially urine, can seep through the carpet and pad and in to the floor beneath. In these situations, professional pet odor removal is required. Treatment options will vary. Check with your carpet cleaning professional to see what the best option is for you.
