Make your home smell fresh again.
As much as we love our furry friends they can leave stubborn stains or funky scents on our clothes, furniture, and bedding. Carpets especially tend to absorb pet stains easily making it harder to remove. So how do you combat that pet odour and make your home smell clean again?
Here are 7 tips to help you remove pet stains and lift the odor from your home.
Treat each stain differently
It's important to keep in mind that all stains should be treated differently on rugs or carpet. Whether it's urine or vomit, choose the appropriate cleaner for the surface.
For vomit stains:
If it's fresh, use an enzymatic cleaner. It will work fast and effectively to remove the new stain and its odors
If it's set-in a little bit, use an oxy-powered cleaner to break down the stain.
For urine stains:
Add vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the affected stain area.
Then, use a microfiber cloth to scrub the urine and vinegar out.
Keep scrubbing until the stain and smell are gone.
To dry off the affected area, put a clean microfiber cloth on the wet spot and apply pressure.
Buy rugs that are washing-machine friendly
Add some style and even some color to your home with a cozy rug. When it starts to smell a little funky and spot cleaning is not longer an option, put it into the washing machine. The washer will remove all the odors and pet hair away. If possible, wash your rugs every 1-2 weeks.
Watch out for hardwood
Hardwood floors require special care. Sometimes cleaning the hardwood floors can be as simple as using a mop with hot water, sometimes it requires more care. If you're not there to catch the stain as it happens the stain and odor can absorb into the wood overtime. Use an enzymatic cleaner to break down and draw out the stains to protect your hardwood floors.
Use baking soda to absorb smells
Baking soda is often kept in the fridge to control the odor, and there's a good reason for it. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber and will work to absorb the smells from our carpet. To lift a urine smell from the carpet sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area and let it sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum it up and the smell should be lifted.
Use no marking spray on furniture
Train your dog not to urinate and mark its territory on the couch. Treat the furniture with a no marking spray to keep your pets from marking it again. Reinforce the behavior by offering healthy treats when your dog doesn't do it again. To treat a stained area on your furniture, use a probiotic based cleaner or oxy-powered cleaner to break down the stain.
Move the litter box
As much as you would love to have the litter boxes out of sight and out of mind, keeping them in smaller spaces such a closet could make the odors smells worse. This will concentrate the odors in one area. If possible, move the litter box to an open area such as a laundry room to give the box space to breathe. You will notice the odor go down significantly.
Bathe your pets
Consider washing or bathing your pets once every week, and even more frequently if they get dirty. Use gentle, natural shampoos for washing and grooming sprays in-between washing days to keep them smelling fresh and clean.
Your pets will thank you for it.
