The Bane of Stains: Pet Urine

Ask nearly any pet owner, and they will say their pet is an integral part of their family. So many animals bring happiness to our homes – the unconditional love of a dog, the soothing purr from a cat, the fluffiness of a rabbit or hamster, the coil of a Ball python…? Hey, no judgments. Unfortunately, happiness isn’t the only thing they bring. Whether they just can’t hold it, or they instinctively mark their territory, most pets eventually leave an accident on the carpet. In this installment of a new intermittent series, we will discuss what to do when pet urine threatens to stain your carpet.

Recent Deposits

When the accident just happened, act quickly. Grab several layers of paper towels, and an old newspaper if you have it. Place the paper towels on the accident, and then the newspaper on the towels. Stand on it for about a minute – a brick or stack of books likely will not be enough weight – and periodically check the area until it is barely damp. You might need to replace the paper towels during this blotting procedure. Also, depending on the circumstances, place the used paper towels in your pet’s “bathroom” area to reinforce the proper place to do their business.

Next, you’ll need a mixture to counteract the urine and its smell. There are several different mixtures and products you can try on the area, depending on what you have available.

• 2 cups warm water, 2 cups vinegar, and 4 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon clear household ammonia with ½ cup water
• A 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and Folex
• Preferred Carpet Care’s Pet Stain & Odor Remover (recommended)

Any one of these mixtures can be applied with a spray bottle. Whichever one you use, apply to the stain and let sit for at least five minutes (or follow the directions on the product) and then blot dry with paper towels. Depending on the intensity of the accident, more than one application might be necessary.

Banked Deposits

What if the urine has set while you were out and about? Or what if it sticks around even after you clean it? Of course, you could attempt the above method with one of the listed mixtures. However, try moistening the area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for an hour, then blot the area and repeat if needed. Avoid using chemicals like ammonia or vinegar at this stage, as it might encourage your pet to cover over the new scent with their own.

Of course, the best thing you can do is let us handle it. Preferred Carpet Care has plenty of experience in removing pet stains, and we can use that experience along with our high-end equipment to make sure pet urine doesn’t permanently compromise the look and smell of your home.

If you have any older stains, or a question as to what mixture to use, or simply would like to know more about what to do with pet urine stains, give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Our staff at Preferred Carpet Care would be happy to hear about your pets and discuss the best way to keep the bane of this stain out of your carpet.