How to Remove Pet Odors and Stains from a Variety of Places.

Pet Urine Odor Removal

There will be times, during a pet owner’s life, when your pet will have an accident in the house and knowing how to clean pet stains and the odors associated with them are essential.

While it is frustrating, it’s simply part of owning a pet, regardless of how well trained they may be.

Now with these tips, the next time it happens, you’ll be ready to clean and remove odors!

How to Get Rid of Pet Odors

If your pet has an accident and you act quickly, the more successful you will be at completely removing stains and odors. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

The following are some excellent options to combat pet stains and odors, making your furniture or carpeting look and smell good as new.

Removing Pet Odors from Bedding

For areas that are washable such as bedding, linen, blankets, and some pillows, you can machine wash these as usual.

After treating the stain, the key to removing the odor is to add about a small box of baking soda to the wash along with your regular detergent.

Give the bedding the “sniff test” before putting it in the dryer. If all’s good, dry as usual.

If there happens to be any odor remaining, wash again using white vinegar (1/3 cup to 1 cup depending on the load size)

Mattress Cleaning

Because this can get quite detailed and make this post a very long one, here are three articles for cleaning mattresses that can help you out.

Removing Cat Urine from a Mattress

Cleaning a Foam Mattress

Cleaning a Variety of Stains from a Mattress

Removing Pet Odors from Furniture

If an accident occurs on a piece of upholstered furniture, soak up as much as you can with absorbent material such as terry cloth towel or paper towels. I recommend wearing a pair of kitchen gloves and press firmly.

Make a mix of water and white vinegar (50/50) and spray the stain. We want to wet the stained area but not spread it further around the upholstery, so make sure you don’t spray so much it spreads the stain and odor.

Let sit about 5 minutes, blot liquid up again then use a shop vac to suck out remaining liquid. If it’s a removable cushion, let it air dry outside.

Allow enough time to dry to avoid mildew growth.

If there is any odor remaining, try an enzymatic cleaner to help neutralize any odors.

Some furniture can also be cleaned with a carpet cleaner, warm water and mild carpet shampoo. If you are not sure you want to tackle this on your own, call in a professional.

Removing Pet Odors from Carpeting

Once again we need to absorb as much liquid as we can. You can apply multiple layers of paper towel, put your sandals on and stand on the area.

And we are also going to use the warm water and white vinegar (50/50) mix. Completely spray or pour some of the mix over the soiled area. With gloves on, carefully work it into the carpet.

Cover and let this sit 5 to 10 minutes then blot once again. Cover again with clean towel and let completely dry.

If you still notice an odor after it has dried, rewet the stain and pour enough baking soda over the stained area and work it in to the carpet.

Cover and allow the baking soda to sit overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda in the morning.

You can also use an enzymatic cleaner. These are effective for breaking down and neutralizing pet urine odors. Follow the product instructions.

Removing Old Pet Odors

If you have old pet stains causing odor problems, you’ll have to track them down using your eyes and nose or you can use a black light.

A black light, used in the dark is excellent at finding the potty spot. It will cause biological material to become florescent and pinpoint the exact location of the stain.

When you’ve found the odor causing problem, rewet the area and clean as indicated.