Pets are great, aren’t they? Whether you’ve got a brand new puppy or a grumpy old cat, all that unconditional love (or at least tolerance) goes a long way to brighten your mood. But one of the quickest ways for your day for the worse is to look down and see the guilty eyes of a pet who just mistook your rug for a litter box. Don’t panic, though! That might make it worse. There are some easy things you can do to clean up the mess with no odor left over. If you’re potty training, we have some tips for making the process of cleaning up pet accidents a lot less painful.
How to Clean Pet Accidents on Carpet
Messes on carpets are probably the most upsetting pet messes you can encounter. Carpets are hard to clean, but depending on the kind of mess, this issue could actually be solved pretty quickly. Quick is the name of the game. You’ve got to act pretty fast to get at a stain before the stain sets.
For urine stains, you’ll want to soak up as much of it as you can. Thick layers of paper towels should be put down, and then another thick layer of the newspaper goes on top. If you can get under the rug or carpet, put newspaper there too.
The reason for the newspaper is that it absorbs odors very well. Stand and walk gently on the area for about a minute until the padding is damp. If you’re potty training, put the used paper towels where you want your pet to do their business. This helps them understand where they’re meant to go to the bathroom. When you’re done, be sure to rinse the area with cool water and blot it dry.
If a stain has already been set, use a carpet cleaner. However, avoid vinegar and ammonia, as this may encourage your pet to mark the area again. Also, avoid using steam cleaners, as the heat will just set the stain and prevent it from being removed completely. For solid waste, use two pieces of cardboard to lift the solid matter and then clean as before – Without rubbing anything in.
How to Clean Pet Messes on Hard Floors
Hard floors are a bit easier to clean up. First, soak up any wet spots with a thick wad of paper towels. Wipe it up as soon as you see the mess, and when the towels are saturated, go grab some new paper towels. Fecal matter should be scooped carefully with two pieces of cardboard and relocated outside where you want your pet to do their business if you’re still potty training – Just like with urine stains.
Hard surfaces can be cleaned like others, but they don’t transfer odors as easily as fabric surfaces, so layout some baking soda as the stain dries, clean with cool water, and repeat as needed.
General Tips
Invest in some puppy pads and sprinkle them with a tiny bit of vinegar to get your puppy interested in marking them. Never punish a pet for pet accidents. They won’t understand the aggression and might make another mess on the spot out of fear or anxiety. Instead, reward them with praise and treats for doing their business where they’re meant to. For especially tough messes, don’t hesitate to call a cleaning service, as some specialty cleaners can be hard to get a hold of, and it can take a find touch to get stubborn stains out of carpets and upholstery.