Carpet Cleaning for Pet Owners
Carpet Cleaning for Pet Owners
When there is a pet inside the home it is inevitable that there will be accidents, pet hair and sometimes odors that must be dealt with. It is essential that a pet owner be familiar with carpet cleaning methods that can help preserve the life of the carpet and keep it looking its best. Good carpet grooming practices require that carpets be cleaned professionally every 12 to 18 months. But observing some good carpet cleaning habits can help keep it looking great in between professional cleanings, even when there is a pet in the home.
Pet Hair
One of the biggest things that pet owners may have to deal with is pet hair that accumulates in the carpets. Vacuuming every day or two can help alleviate this problem, but there are some times that pet hair can clog the vacuum cleaner. To remove hair from carpets in between vacuuming, wrap masking tape on an ole paint roller and run it across the carpet before vacuuming. This will help remove a large portion of the pet’s hair. Vacuuming the carpet a minimum of 3 times each week using a bagless vacuum with a HEPA filter will help reduce the amount of pet hair you have to deal with in the carpet.
Pet Stains
Pets tend to stain carpets whether it feces, vomit or blood, it can become quite a challenge. Between professional cleanings, a pet owner might consider renting a carpet cleaner to clean stained areas or areas where the pet likes to spend a large amount of time. There are many commercial products that can be used to help remove these types of stains and some natural products too. Do not use a steam cleaner on the stained areas as the heat can set the pet stain so that they cannot be removed.
Pet Odors
One of the best ways to eliminate pet odors is to use baking soda. It can be sprinkled over the soiled area, or the entire surface of the carpet. Let it set for as long as possible and then vacuum it back up. The baking soda will naturally lift the odors out of the carpets. There are also some commercial odor removers but many of them do not remove the source, they only use fragrance to mask odors. Choose these types of products carefully as some of them can contain ingredients that are harmful to pets or children.
Pet Urine
Even the best trained pets have accidents. One of the best defenses is to react immediately. Use an old piece of terrycloth to blot up the urine. Place the terrycloth on the spot of the urine and press gently with your foot to help absorb it out of the carpet and into the cloth. Using this method, remove as much of the urine as you possibly can. The area will still need to be cleaned by mixing a few drops of dishwashing liquid with warm water. Work this mixture into the urine stain and then blot it out using a clean cloth. Once you have cleaned the area, mix one part water vinegar with two parts water and apply it to the area. This will prevent the pet from choosing this area again later.
Pet Hair
One of the biggest things that pet owners may have to deal with is pet hair that accumulates in the carpets. Vacuuming every day or two can help alleviate this problem, but there are some times that pet hair can clog the vacuum cleaner. To remove hair from carpets in between vacuuming, wrap masking tape on an ole paint roller and run it across the carpet before vacuuming. This will help remove a large portion of the pet’s hair. Vacuuming the carpet a minimum of 3 times each week using a bagless vacuum with a HEPA filter will help reduce the amount of pet hair you have to deal with in the carpet.
Pet Stains
Pets tend to stain carpets whether it feces, vomit or blood, it can become quite a challenge. Between professional cleanings, a pet owner might consider renting a carpet cleaner to clean stained areas or areas where the pet likes to spend a large amount of time. There are many commercial products that can be used to help remove these types of stains and some natural products too. Do not use a steam cleaner on the stained areas as the heat can set the pet stain so that they cannot be removed.
Pet Odors
One of the best ways to eliminate pet odors is to use baking soda. It can be sprinkled over the soiled area, or the entire surface of the carpet. Let it set for as long as possible and then vacuum it back up. The baking soda will naturally lift the odors out of the carpets. There are also some commercial odor removers but many of them do not remove the source, they only use fragrance to mask odors. Choose these types of products carefully as some of them can contain ingredients that are harmful to pets or children.
Pet Urine
Even the best trained pets have accidents. One of the best defenses is to react immediately. Use an old piece of terrycloth to blot up the urine. Place the terrycloth on the spot of the urine and press gently with your foot to help absorb it out of the carpet and into the cloth. Using this method, remove as much of the urine as you possibly can. The area will still need to be cleaned by mixing a few drops of dishwashing liquid with warm water. Work this mixture into the urine stain and then blot it out using a clean cloth. Once you have cleaned the area, mix one part water vinegar with two parts water and apply it to the area. This will prevent the pet from choosing this area again later.