Home remedies and products to clean your pet-stained carpet.
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Time A full day
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $20
Introduction
If you are a lover of pets, whether it be cats or dogs, your four-legged family members are bound to have some accidents on the carpet. No need to panic — here's how to remove them. Read on for some home remedies and our favorite enzyme products.
Tools Required
- Funnel
- Soft-bristle brush
- Spray Bottle
- Vacuum
Materials Required
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Hydrogen peroxide
- White vinegar
Watch How to Get Pet Stains Out of Carpet
Project step-by-step (6)
Step 1
Act Immediately on New Stains
- It’s important to take immediate action after discovering an accident.
- Remove vomit or feces using a plastic bag.
- Be careful not to embed anything further into the carpet fibers.
Never use hot water or a steam cleaner on pet odors and stains! The heat will set the stain in the carpet permanently.
Step 2
Blot, Don’t Rub
- Lay three or four paper towels over the soiled area. Blot, don’t rub, putting pressure on the towels and pulling the moisture out of the carpet.
- Note: Repeat this several times until the dry towels no longer absorb moisture. You may have to stand on the paper towel to get all the moisture out.
Step 3
Home Made Cleaners
- Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and cold water in a clean spray bottle.
- Or, mix 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water in a clean spray bottle.
- Pro Tip: Add a few drops of unscented dishwashing detergent to the hydrogen peroxide/water solution for added cleaning.
Step 4
Lifting the Stain
- Spray a liberal amount of the cleaning solution to the stain so it soaks down into the carpet and pad.
- Lay three or four paper towels over the sprayed area and blot. Repeat this several times until the dry towels no longer absorb moisture
- Sprinkle baking soda directly on the stain. Spray more cleaning solution on the baking soda.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to work the baking soda into the fibers of the carpet.
- Let dry overnight and vacuum away the dried baking soda.
- Pro tip: If the soiled area is dry, wet it with cold water and let it sit for 15 minutes before blotting.
Step 5
Enzyme Cleaners
Here are a few enzyme cleaners on the market that work well for pet stains and odor elimination:
Step 6
Wet Vac Carpet Cleaner
- For dried and set stains, you may want to consider renting a Wet Vac Carpet Cleaner or Carpet Spot Cleaner & Stair Detailer from your hardware store or rental center. Even some grocery stores rent them. These machines deep clean the carpet fibers, drawing out particles and dirty water. Here are a few tips to help you get wax out of the carpet.
