How To Eliminate Pet Odors From Carpet?

As much as you might love your pet, no one likes it when your home smells of dog or cat urine. But how do you remove dog smell from carpet surfaces? Pet odours and stains are hard to eliminate, particularly with carpet fibre.

Don't worry; we've determined the best way to eliminate dog and cat stains on carpets. 

Hardwood vs. carpet cleaning

Hardwood floors are easier to clean than carpets if you act fast. If left to dry, pet stains on your wooden floors might be more challenging to remove. The wood can soak up liquids, making it difficult to remove the smell.

If you spot your pet's urine on wooden floors, soak it up immediately. On the flip side, pet hair and other odours are generally easier to address on wooden surfaces. Whether you reside in a duplex or apartment, hardwood floors can offer a more manageable cleaning and maintenance solution than carpets.

Getting urine out of carpet surfaces is more challenging but not impossible. As with wooden floors, the trick is to act fast. Let’s look at the steps to remove the pet smell from carpets.

What will you need?

Fortunately, you should already have everything you need in your home to clear up and eliminate any pet stains and odours. Here is what you should have on hand:

• White vinegar and baking soda.
• Alkaline dishwashing detergent.
• Paper towels.
• Microfibre towels.
• Odour-removing cleaning agents.
• Rubber gloves or something to protect yourself.

You can also purchase an enzyme stain remover from your local shop. However, ensure not to overuse enzyme solutions because they can damage your carpets further.

A step-by-step plan to remove pet odour

Need a quick, comprehensive floor cleaning solution to remove odour? Here is a step-by-step plan for getting dog smells and stains out of carpet fibres.

1. Get rid of liquid

Firstly, you must act quickly if you notice your beloved furry friend peeing where they shouldn't grab the towels and soak them up. Pet waste and pee smells can linger for a long time. No one likes to enter a home smelling of foul dog odours. 

Cover the carpeted area with paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Use your hands and feet to press down and draw out as much of the dog's pee as possible. You may need to use several towels to avoid getting a urine stain on yourself. Repeat this process until the carpet is mostly dry.

If you have a hard surface, mop the urine with paper towels or a cloth. You can run it over with a stain and odour removal solution to ensure you catch any residue.

2. Shine a light on the stains

You can't get rid of pet odours and carpet stains if you don't know where it comes from. If you don't catch where the dog urinates, it may be hard to find again. 

Some stains leave noticeable marks, but other mystery smells might be harder to find. Moreover, many dogs and cats re-mark spots. Try using a UV flashlight to illuminate set-in stains to find these secret spots.

• Vacuum your carpet thoroughly, as a UV light can also highlight lint or fur.
• Turn off other lights in the room and get it as dark as possible.
• Look for dull, yellowish, or green colours. When you turn the lights back on, mark the spot (or spots) to find them again.
• Double-check that the stain is urine with the tried and tested sniff test.

2. Use a DIY pet stain remover

Now that you have found your pet's secret spot, you want to get stains and smells out of carpet fibres. If you find an old stain, it likely smells because it's acidic when urine leaves the body. However, it becomes alkaline once exposed to oxygen, which can bleach the carpet and smell bad.

If you have an alkaline dishwashing liquid, it acts as an odour neutraliser. Alternatively, use off-the-shelf enzyme carpet cleaners or a specific cleaner for pet urine. Soak the area in the solution and rinse with fresh water afterwards.

You may have to opt for professional carpet cleaning services to remove pet odour for more stubborn stains. 

Top tips to remove pet stains

• You can often use natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to clean your carpets. 
• Baking powder acts as a pet odour neutraliser. Sprinkle it on your carpets or leave bowls around your house to remove smells — from pet urine to cigarette smoke. Let it sit overnight to absorb the odour, and vacuum it the next day. 
• Add baking powder to the load as an odour eliminator for upholstery cleaning if you can put items in the washing machine. 
• Consider investing in a robot vacuum to target pet hairs and dirt before it becomes problematic. 
• Finally, accept defeat when you have tried everything. You may call a professional carpet cleaner to tackle what you cannot eliminate.

Preventing pet odours in your carpets and furniture

Once you have removed one stain from your carpet and furniture, you'll want to stop your pet from ever soiling your home again. Here are a few tips to prevent pet odours in carpets:

• Don't let your wet pet on the carpet or furniture (this may very well ruin your furniture, resulting in having to dispose or replace it). 
• Dry them off with an old towel or blow dryer after a rainy walk.
• Ensure your vacuum has a washable filter and wash it after each use. Vacuum carpets and sofas at least once a week, getting all the crevices.
• Use a slipcover on your couch or recliner to wash in the machine. Shake it vigorously and soak it in hot water at least once a week.

Keep your house smelling fresh

While you might feel tempted to fill your home with fresh flowers and incense burners to disguise pet smells, it's best to eliminate the root cause.

Keep to a regular cleaning schedule to ensure your house doesn't smell of wet dogs or old urine. Place a charcoal bag or bowl of baking soda in each room to absorb foul odours and keep your home smelling fresh.