Pet Odor Removal Basics

Pet odor removal is one of the many things you need to know if you are going to keep your pet indoors, especially if you have a dog or a cat. The same rules apply for rabbits, ferrets and other such animals also. There are many commercial cleaners but there are also many home remedies and common sense basics to consider when trying to keep your home smelling fresh.

Step One: Be Diligent

If your animal is prone to mistakes on the carpet you must first housebreak them as best you can and always crate them when you're not home. It is extremely important to clean up messes as soon as they happen. Pick up solid waste and dispose of it and spray the area where the waste lay with a good organic cleaner. This means something that destroys and/or neutralizes odor causing bacteria. You don't want to use a spray that just masks the odors. It will mask it for you for a while, but not for the animal, and it will return to the 'scene of the crime' and use the area again.

For wet mistakes, blot up immediately with paper towels or rags. Start with the outside edge of the area and work inward. If possible, put something absorbent under the wet area to blot it up from underneath also (as in a carpet or throw rug). If you have padding under the rug you need to blot aggressively as the wetness will penetrate the rug to the padding and soak in there just like a sponge. It is then almost impossible to remove the odor so the animal can't smell it. The acid in urine will also start to cause the padding to deteriorate.

Step Two: Clean the Area

After you have blotted up all the wet area, you need to clean it. Again, use a cleaner that contains enzymes that will eat the bacteria in urine and destroy their ability to create odor. Most of these have a lingering scent that will vanish in a few hours or a day or so. It doesn't mask the odor, it just makes the room easier to stay in while it works.

Step Three: Cleaning Your Carpets

If you have a cat or dog you will find you need to clean your carpets more often than non pet owners. Don't allow dirt and odors to lay in the fibers too long or they will be harder or impossible to remove. Many carpet manufacturers suggest you do not use a steam cleaner on a carpet that pets have eliminated on as the steam heat will set the odor and the stain. They suggest you use cold water and a good enzyme cleaner in the tank instead. Another suggestion is white vinegar in the soap tank instead of carpet cleaner. Many people have good results with this and it is inexpensive, won't harm your carpets or fade the color. The vinegar smell will disappear after a few hours also.