If you're an avid animal lover, you've probably come to accept that their company sometimes comes at the cost of their horrid little smells. Dog breath in your face each morning? Check. A ripe kitty litter box? Check. The occasional accident? Checkmate.
Of course, you understand. After all, what is love without some sacrifice? But something's got to give. And because your pampered Pomeranian probably isn't learning any new tricks, it looks like it's up to you to keep your house from smelling like a tiny zoo.
Columbus residents, rejoice. Getting animal odors out of your living room, bedroom, or dining room may be a few scrubs away. Let's explore a few ways to safely remove pet odors from your residence.
Pet Odor Busting 101: Find & Destroy the Pet Stains
As they say, where there's smoke, there's fire. In the case of pet odors, the scene of the crime is usually the source of the olfactory offense. So find that soiled spot and let's get to work.
Assuming the spot is on carpet…
- Sop up or pick up as much of the mess as you can with a paper towel. The more you can remove before it dries, the fewer odors you'll have. Don't want to get your hands dirty? Be sure to wear some disposable gloves.
- Rinse the spot with clean, cool water. Don't use any cleaning solution at this point – you're still trying to remove as much of the soiled spot as you can. To get rid of excess water, blot the spot with more towels or use a wet vac. You can rent one from your local hardware store, and it will do a good job of forcing dirty water out of your home's carpet.
- Neutralize the stain. Though you can buy pet stain cleaners, perhaps the easiest and safest way to neutralize soiled spots and lift stains is with a fresh box of baking soda. Simply spread a thin layer of baking soda on the treated spot and let it set. Then vacuum the baking soda from carpet once it's dry.
A few notes:
- Don't use steam cleaners to rid your home of stains caused by pet accidents. Heat can set the stain and odor by bonding the protein to man-made fibers in your carpet.
- Avoid any chemical cleaners that have ammonia in them – these encourage pets to keep having accidents in the spot. To learn how to make your own cleaners, read, "Soak Up Carpet Stains with These DIY Solutions."
- Be careful with bunny areas. If you are cleaning a rabbit's pen, know that some experts say baking soda can cause health issues for bunnies (they are delicate creatures). To play it safe, use a solution that's equal parts white vinegar and water to clean up any accidents your little hopper has.
If the spot is on hardwood floors or tile…
- Sop or pick up the mess with paper towels.
- Use a cleaning solution that is safe on hardwood or tile floors to disinfect the area. (For pointers, check out the post, "How to Pick Safe Cleaning Solutions for Your Home or Office.")
Pet Bedding: A Hotspot for Pungent Smells
If your pets are perfect angels who wouldn't dream of desecrating the floors but you still smell something funky, check out pet beds or other areas where your animals like to kick back. Over time, they will imbue these places with their magical, natural, animal scents.
Here's what you can do:
- Wash pet beds. Check the tag first to make sure the bed is machine washable. If not, you might have to spot-clean it. Again, a vinegar or baking soda and water solution can do the trick. Just spritz, sop, and let it dry.
- Wash pet blankets. This is an easy fix – just throw it in the wash like you would your laundry.
- Treat upholstery your pet frequents. Every once in a while, you might need to spot treat your couch or your pet's favorite chair to get it smelling fresh again. Spritz a baking soda and water solution over the area and let it set.
For more ways to neutralize odors around the house, check out the post, "Two Men & A Vacuum Naturally Remove Odor from Your Home."
Is Cleaning House Not Your Scene? We Can Help
If you don't have the time or the energy to clean up your beloved pet's messes, why not call in the pros? When time is money, professional home cleaning can be a lifesaver. So let's figure out a cleaning program that works for you. Book a free residential cleaning consultation with us today.