FAQ: Pet Odors and Stains in the Carpet
Q: What’s the best way to get pet urine out of carpet?
A: If you’re able to get to it immediately you may not need a carpet cleaner unless there’s been a serious issue. Simply treating the stain with the right cleaner may be enough. If it’s been sitting for long enough to dry, however, then you’re going to want to use a carpet cleaner to get the stain and odor completely out without spending a ton of time scrubbing with a rag.
Q: Can I use a homemade solution for my carpet cleaner?
A: Yes, but it’s not going to be the best for pet stains and odors. For grease based stains you can use dish detergent and water in a 1:20 mixture, tannin based stains(think wine and coffee) are best treated with a 1:2 mixture of vinegar to water.
Q: Can I use vinegar in my carpet cleaner?
A: Follow our guidelines above for the best results. Be aware that vinegar is acidic, however, while most cleaning solutions are basic in nature. This can shorten the lifespan of your machine if you do it too frequently.
Q: Will a professional service be able to remove all odors and stains?
A: A professional service can be expensive… but they’re going to be able to do the best job. Stain tackling can be surprisingly complex which means that you’re going to need to get some experience before you’re super proficient at it. If you’re looking at a hoarder’s home or something it may be best to just go with them.
Q: How can I tell if a carpet cleaner is pet safe?
A: For the most part, you’re best off using formulations which are specifically made for pets. Enzymatic solutions are always going to be the safest, since there’s less harsh chemicals in them and they work by a biological method. Carpet cleaners tend to be safer than most chemicals, but if in doubt then double check.
Q: What’s the best carpet cleaner for pets?
A: Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer for this question. It’s always going to depend on your home and how many pets you have within it. As a general rule, most average sized homes with only two or three pets will be well served with the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Washer FH50150. If you have a ton of pets then go with a heavy-duty machine and if you have small living quarters then try a compact machine and just staying on top of things.
Q: What’s the best carpet shampoo for my pets?
A: We recommend BISSELL 2X Pet Stain & Odor Full Size Machine Formula for regular usage. It’s just the best all the way around. For a first pass in a really bad home, try some of the Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator and then follow up with the Bissell solution when you need to clean again.
Q: How often should I use my carpet cleaner?
A: There’s no real guidelines here, except for one: the less time a stain is on your carpet, the more likely you’ll be to be able to remove everything without any further issues. Unfortunately, really set-in stains can be quite hard to remove.
Q: Should I pre-treat urine stains?
A: Absolutely. Urine soaking into under flooring can cause serious issues, both with the integrity of the subfloor and with stubborn smells. If you catch your pet in the act then blot the stain as quickly as possible with a paper towel. Hopefully, you have some stain treatment around as well. If anything remains after application, hit it with the carpet cleaner to make sure it’s all gone.
