Pet Stain Removal Tips
Stains are an inevitable part of pet ownership. You walk into a room, and there, directly in your path, sits a humble, oh-so-thoughtful, little gift — a mound of vomit, a pile of poo, or a puddle of pee on your flooring. Oh the joy, right? And if you have carpeted floors, that unexpected little present from your furry friend is all the more exasperating.
We get it. Lifting pet stains from carpet fibers is tough. If your four-legged family member happens to have an accident on your upholstered furniture, thoroughly cleaning up that mess can be even more difficult. And set-in or ground-in pet stains? Getting rid of those is the most challenging task of all.
Luckily, it’s possible to get most types of pet stains out of carpet and upholstery, provided they’re not too deeply set. Try out our top pet stain removal tips below, and if you still can’t lift the splotch, don’t hesitate to call our Zeppelin Cleaning Services team for heavy-duty help.
Clean Up the Offending Pile or Puddle Immediately
If you’re lucky enough to notice your furry friend’s little gift within minutes of it being dropped off, clean up the liquid and/or solid waste immediately. Once the substance starts to dry — yes, even a little bit — its odors will begin to set into the carpet or upholstery fibers.
Use a Towel or Paper Towels to Blot Up Residual Moisture
Once you’ve cleaned up the majority of the liquid and/or solids, place something highly absorbent on top of the remaining spot. Stand on the towel or paper towels for a minute or two to absorb as much of the soaked-in substance as possible. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get the area mostly dry.
If your pet let loose on a piece of furniture with cushioned fabric inserts, remove the upholstered part of the furniture, if possible. Toss that fabric in the washing machine (if it’s machine safe) and repeat the blotting process on the affected cushioned insert. If you can’t remove the upholstered furniture cover, repeat the blotting process as many times as necessary to get all of the moisture out of the cushion itself.
Apply a Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
In an empty spray bottle (or a bowl if you don’t have a sprayer), mix up the following ingredients:
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 4 tablespoons baking soda
When the baking soda is completely dissolved, thoroughly spray down the soiled area with the solution. Allow the solution to soak into the fibers for at least 5–10 minutes. Then, grab a highly absorbent washcloth or towel and gently blot up the liquid. If the stain isn’t completely gone, spray the soiled area with the solution again, let it sit, and blot again.
Use a Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
As an alternative to the baking soda and vinegar solution, you can apply a hydrogen peroxide and dish soap solution instead. This particular solution may be a better option than vinegar since it doesn’t smell and won’t encourage your pet to revisit the area to camouflage a strong scent. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Follow the steps above to clean up the majority of the liquids and/or solids.
- Sprinkle baking soda directly on the soiled area.
- In a small bowl, prepare a solution of ½ cup hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon dish soap.
- Pour the solution over the top of the baking soda on the soiled area.
- Gently rub the mixture into the carpet fibers or fabric.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 10–20 minutes.
- Use paper towels or a towel to blot up as much of the moisture as possible.
- When the area is completely dry, vacuum it and repeat if necessary.
How to Remove Set-In or Heavy Pet Stains
If you’re unfortunate enough to miss a pet pile or puddle when your furry friend first drops it off, you’ll need to employ more powerful tactics to lift both the stain and the odor it leaves behind. Set-in pet stains require an especially heavy-duty approach since lingering odors can encourage your furry friend to drop off additional gifts in that area in the future.
Here’s the first thing you can try to lift a heavy or set-in pet stain:
- Apply a sprinkle of baking soda directly on the stained area.
- Mix a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar.
- Liberally apply the solution over top of the baking soda and let it sit for about five minutes.
- Blot up any remaining moisture and baking soda with a cloth.
- Vacuum the area when it’s completely dry to see if the stain is gone.
What if there’s still a residual stain on the surface? You’ll need to break out the big guns — aka a carpet cleaner or extractor — to tackle any leftover pigment and/or odor. Whatever you do, do not use a steam cleaner to attempt to remove any type of pet stain! The heat from the machine will permanently bond the proteins in the feces, urine, vomit, or blood to any man-made fibers in the carpet or fabric.
Let Zeppelin Cleaning Service Deep Clean Your Carpets!
Got a few pet stains you don’t want to deal with (or look at)? Get in touch with our team at Zeppelin to schedule professional carpet cleaning. We employ the latest carpet cleaning technology and equipment to ensure we’re able to get your carpets as spotless and fresh as possible. We specialize in comprehensive upholstery cleaning too! To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call today at 313-731-6459 or request a quote online, and we’ll get in touch.