Pet owners would gladly make sacrifices for their furry family members. For example, you might wake up earlier than you want to on a rainy day to take your dog out for a potty break. You might forgo some much-needed personal time to play fetch with your dog in the backyard or deal with cat scratches on your furniture.
However, there’s one thing that you don’t have to sacrifice for your pets – a clean home. Pets are notorious for shedding and tracking in dirt, but their messes go beyond that. If you share your home with pets, you know that stains and odors are problematic. Here are the best products for eliminating pet stains and odors.
Why Pet Stains and Odors Are a Common Challenge for Pet Owners
You can’t stay by your pet’s side around the clock. They inevitably will have a few accidents here and there. They might even get sick all over the floor in the middle of the night. Of course, they also get into the trash can, bring nasty things in from outdoors, and more.
Every pet owner has walked on a spot on the floor and woken up to find a nasty mess. They’ve also overlooked a spot and allowed it to turn into a seemingly permanent stain.
Even when you try to clean pet stains up right away, you’re fighting a losing battle if you aren’t using the right products. Pet urine and feces are full of bacteria and enzymes that stick to upholstery and carpet. Even after you clean them, stains reappear and odors linger.
Essential Natural Products for Removing Pet Stains
You don’t always need store-bought cleaners to remove pet stains. These simple household ingredients can help clean stains and reduce odors naturally.
- White Vinegar: Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water to help remove stains and neutralize odors on most surfaces.
- Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda over the cleaned area to absorb odors. Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Helps remove tough stains, especially on light-colored carpets and upholstery. Always test it on a small hidden area first.
- Lemon Juice: Mix with water to freshen hard, non-porous surfaces. Avoid using it on natural stone surfaces like marble or granite.
- Castile Soap: Mix a few drops with warm water to clean pet messes and remove dirt before treating odors.
Best Odor-Eliminating Products
Pee, poop, and vomit are among the most obvious and obnoxious pet smells, but pets can also make your home smelly simply by being inside. Their pet hair, dander, and general musk can combine to make you cringe when you breathe deeply.
Cleaning frequently is one of the best ways to fight odors. You can also eliminate odors using some of these methods:
- Place small bowls or satchels of activated charcoal strategically throughout your home.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and upholstery before vacuuming to neutralize odors.
- Invest in an air purifier with a HEPA air filter.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA air filter.
- Upgrade your HVAC system’s air filter to a filter with MERV rating of 10 or 11.
While these methods will neutralize odors or remove the source of lingering smells, you can also add fragrance to your home. Consider using essential oils, boiling a potpourri mix, or burning a pet-friendly candle.
Tips to Prevent Pet Stains and Odors
Cleaning pet messes as soon as possible is essential. Once the mess has had time to penetrate into the deep fibers of your upholstery and carpet, the stains and odors are much more challenging to remove.
If you don’t already have one, invest in a portable carpet cleaner that you can pull out in a pinch. These are some other effective solutions:
- Clean your home frequently.
- Brush and bathe your pets regularly.
- Wash pet bedding every week or two.
- If you have a puppy, lay down training pads.
- Place a mat under the kitty litter box.
You don’t have to resign yourself to living with pet stains and odors. These stain and odor-eliminating solutions will leave you with a healthier, cleaner home. However, there’s no magic formula for having a clean living environment. At TidyHere, we’ll fight all of your tough odors and stains, and we’ll also do all of the mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and more. Book your first Tidy Here cleaning service in Boston today.
