Did Fido or Kitty leave you a present again? Or did you find an old surprise while you were rearranging the furniture? Regardless of when the crime happened, don't worry - you can restore your carpet or rugs to their former glory. All you need is some cleaning knowledge and a little elbow grease. Having a pet doesn't mean sacrificing the beauty of the home. Read this article to learn how to get rid of stains (old or new) and use home remedies to keep your home clean.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Remove New Stains
Step 1. Absorb the excess
Use a damp cloth or paper towel. Layer a few and place a weight on them to quickly absorb urine while it's still liquid. Wet the rag with cold water, then wring it out: it must be damp, not dripping, and completely cover the stain. Which heavy object to use? Tins of food, a pair of shoes or a book. Moisture helps eliminate urine as the weight presses the cloth to the carpet. Leave on for at least 10 minutes.
- If you want to use heavy books to remedy the problem, first place a layer of cling film or aluminum foil on the surface of the wet rags to prevent the paper from getting wet or stained.
- Use a washcloth to soak up the urine. Fold it into several parts and continue to dab until it is absorbed completely. Use more cloths if necessary.
- If it's been more than 10 minutes since the crime, urine has probably soaked the carpet. Use a rag that is 50% wider than the visible stain area. Also, you can use more wipes, more water, and a heavier object.
Step 2. Wet the stain again with water
After lifting the cloth, pour a small amount of cold water on the affected spot. Start pouring it slightly outside the perimeter of the patch, slowly moving towards the center. This prevents further shedding of urine, creating a larger stain. Let the water sit for about a minute.
Step 3. Spray enzyme-based cleanser on the area
These products are effective and non-toxic. They intervene by disintegrating stains and breaking down their basic elements; therefore they eliminate the chemical compounds that cause spots and bad smells. Using such a product is the best way to break down the proteins left by the urine, while also removing the stench. Also, you will discourage the animal from urinating in the same spot again.
- You can buy an enzyme-based product at most pet stores, or make it yourself with water, mascobado sugar, and orange peels.
- Most enzyme products should be left in a humid area for several hours. However, some require a different process. So be sure to read the instructions on the package. If you are going to clean a wool rug, make sure the cleaner is suitable.
Step 4. Lay down another cloth to absorb the product
After impregnating the stain with the detergent, follow the same procedure used with the first absorption. Place a dry rag over the enzyme product to absorb it and clean the area thoroughly. Press with a heavy object and leave on.
Step 5. You should leave it on overnight
When you remove it the next morning, the visible stain should be gone, and the same goes for the smell.
Step 6. Wash the rags, otherwise throw them away
Since the cloths used to absorb urine have small traces of the animal's odor, it is important to prevent your four-legged friend from leaving the "mark" again. Help him not to fall into temptation by throwing or washing the rag.
- If you have used paper towels to repair the damage, be sure to seal them tightly in the garbage bag and throw them in the bin as soon as possible. This way your pet won't try to urinate on it or dig into the garbage.
- If you used fabric rags, put them in the washing machine right away. In order not to throw them away, use high temperatures in order to clean them thoroughly. Wash them twice to make sure you've eliminated odors.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Old Stains
Step 1. Identify old stains
Maybe you know more or less where they are because of the smell. If you think there may be dated patches in the area, explore it with a sweeping motion, gradually moving away from the smelly spot. A pet's urine should have a yellow or greenish color. Try searching in the following areas:
- Shelves
- Mobile
- Fabric decorations
- Internal vents
- Objects that have holes, such as the inside of portable stoves
- Clothes that the animal may have come into contact with
- Other small areas the cat managed to get into
Step 2. Consider using ultraviolet light to explore more carefully
If you want to get it right, buy a portable UV or black light fluorescent lamp. Look for one that has a long bulb, preferably over 30 cm, so that you can examine a larger area. Inexpensive bulbs with lamp holders are generally available from hardware stores. While you can also find them in some pet stores, they are usually smaller and more expensive. They can also be purchased at a reasonable price online, but in this case you will have to wait for the package and ignore the bad smell.
Step 3. Use this tool at night or in total darkness
Animal urine can be difficult to notice, especially when it is old, so research will be more effective by taking advantage of the dark. Try it after dark or try to darken the room as much as possible.
Step 4. Mark each point you find
If you have decided to look for any urine, be sure to take your time and remember where all the patches are. While you do your research, have a roll of blue duct tape available. Once you find a stain, mark it with a small piece of scotch tape. Once you have identified all the spots to be removed, go back to them with the cleaning products: you will have no problem finding them.
Step 5. To get started, try an enzyme product
Wet the area with cold distilled water. Pour a small amount of cleaner around the perimeter of the patch, moving from the outside to the center. Spray the product on the damp stain and leave it on overnight. If the carpet is woolen, be sure to use a suitable cleaner.
Step 6. Wet the paper towels or rags with cold water and spread them over the affected area
Place a heavy object on these layers and let the product sit overnight. In the morning, when you take it off, you can evaluate whether to take more extreme measures or not.
Step 7. Steam clean old stains
A hired machine can produce steam that is hot enough to sanitize the carpet; finally, you can vacuum. Alternatively, if the patch is particularly large or the damage done is quite severe, you can hire a professional.
Step 8. Initially try cleaning without any product
If you find that you still can't get rid of the stain, ask the company that hired you for the product they recommend. Try to use a tiny amount.
Wool can be damaged by steam cleaners. In fact, remember that sweaters made of this material shrink when you wash them with hot water. If the patch is on a wool rug that you don't want to ruin, it's best to hire a professional
Step 9. Use the oxidation method if necessary
Oxidizing a patch is a viable alternative to using a steam cleaner. Products that release oxygen are effective in removing stains. You can prepare a solution at home.
- Mix half a teaspoon of bleach with a quart of distilled water. Do a trial test on a hidden part of the carpet. Make sure it doesn't damage the color. After that, let the area soak in the product. The solution must act for at least 10 minutes.
- Use a liquid vacuum cleaner or cloth (as described above) to remove the solution. It may be necessary to oxidize the carpet several times in order to remove a stain. Let it dry completely between treatments.
- The oxidation method Not it should be used on wool or silk rugs. The treatment is valid only for synthetic fibers.
Method 3 of 3: Use other Remedies
Step 1. Try the vacuum cleaner method
Pour cold water on the stain and immediately pass a vacuum cleaner that is also suitable for liquids. Repeat at least twice - your aim is to remedy the fading. Do not let the water remain in contact with the carpet for too long, vacuum it immediately (within a few seconds) after each application.
For stubborn stains, add a pinch of salt to the water, but no detergent. Residues left on the carpet will attract dirt
Step 2. Use the baking soda and vinegar method
Sprinkle some vinegar on the area, then sprinkle enough baking soda to create a thin sheen on the affected area. Leave the patch covered with a cloth for 24 hours, then wash it thoroughly with cold water. This solution will absorb the stain and allow you to clean the carpet thoroughly and economically.
Step 3. Try the hydrogen peroxide and dish soap method
Start by spreading a thin layer of baking soda on the stain. Next, mix about 250ml of hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake it gently. Next, soak the stain thoroughly. Use an old toothbrush or your fingers to gently massage the mix onto the carpet. Finally, leave it on until completely dry. Vacuum to remove residue and clean with cold water.
Hydrogen peroxide can damage some types of carpets, so it's important to test this solution on a hidden area. You will make sure that it does not irreparably stain the fabric
Step 4. Avoid ammonia
Highly alkaline, this substance should not be used to clean urine stains. It will leave a sticky residue on the carpet and damage its fibers, attracting dirt and other debris. It will also call the animals back to the area. In fact, ammonia contains the same uric acids and salts present in urine, so your four-legged friend will be tempted to return to the place of the crime. In short, avoid this product.
Step 5. Replace the carpet underneath
For stubborn stains that you suspect have impregnated carpet padding, the replacement could be very helpful. Pull up the carpet, cut out a sample of the batting, and take it to a DIY store to find a piece of the same thickness. When you get home, cut out the stained part and replace it with the new one.
Advice
- Buy repellent spray if your furry friend continues to urinate on the same area. There are several on the market, suitable for the type of pet you have (dog or cat). Look for one that fits the needs of your home (for example, it should be safe for children) and that won't damage the carpet.
- Avoid using stain removers. Sometimes it is enough to use hydrogen peroxide, which is often found to be more effective and less harmful on carpets than substances that contain these products, such as chlorine.
- The products you use for general house cleaning are generally not helpful in removing urine stains and odor. Buy an enzyme-based cleaner designed specifically for this purpose.
- Some animals hate the smell of vinegar, even after it has dried. Also, this product helps mask the stench. Pour a few drops on the affected area to prevent your four-legged friend from returning.
- Clean the area slightly beyond the actual stain. The urine can in fact be absorbed by the carpet, exceeding the diameter of the original patch.
- Follow the instructions on the package of enzyme products. Always test the color fastness before using the oxidation deodorization method.
- The secret is to be patient. It is better to go through a process more than once and let it dry than to try to do everything in no time.
