Carpet SOS: Pet owner’s tips for keeping your carpets looking good

Are you one of those pet owners who always asks visitors to your home, ‘Can you smell that? Does my house stink of pet odour?’

It’s embarrassing for your guests because nine times out of ten, yes, yes it does smell and a lot of that has to do with the build-up of pet hair and stains which haven’t been cleaned up properly.

But don’t worry readers, because it doesn’t have to be this way. You can have pets and still have a clean and fresh smelling home. Read on for some expert tips on keeping your carpets looking and smelling great- even with furry friends around the house.

Choose your carpets carefully

If you’re in the market for a new carpet runner or rug, consider the choice of colour and if it’s pet friendly enough for your home. A cream or white carpet is going to show every muddy footprint and little ‘accident’, whereas carpets in darker colours or patterned designs are going to be a little more forgiving in terms of hiding unsightly pet-related marks.

You may also want to opt for stain resistant carpeting, which is ideal for high-traffic areas of the home like staircases and hallways. We have a fantastic selection of carpet designs made from polypropylene. This material is not only known for its stain resistant properties, it’s also highly durable, fade resistant and great value for money.

Pamper your Pets

Bathing your pet regularly will help keep your house cleaner. It’s a no brainer really, clean pet equals cleaner home. You can also make sure to wipe your pet’s feet with a towel when they come in from a muddy walk. You’ll be amazed at how much of a different it makes to your carpets.

Removing Urine

Accidents happen and sometimes dog owners can even see them coming (fireworks night, being the prime example for dog owners). But the most important thing to remember is to give the stained area a good clean, even if it’s completely dried in, as the bacteria embedded in the fibres will be the main cause of the pet odour smells in carpet.

1. Firstly you must act quickly on the urine spill; the sooner you do it the easier it will be to remove completely, so soak up as much of the wet patch as you possibly can with kitchen towel.
2. Next, make a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Apply the spray to the edges of the stain and move inwards before working it in with a clean cloth.
3. The vinegar will neutralise the ammonia in the urine, so don’t worry about the vinegary smell because it will fade.
4. Once you have cleaned, soak up the mixture with kitchen towel and once it is dry, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top and work it in with a small toothbrush.
5. Once the whole area is dry and you are satisfied the urine has been removed, hoover up the excess baking powder and voila!

Removing Faeces

Sometimes pet stains can get a little more serious, bonfire night again being the prime time for a ‘code brown alert’ on your lovely carpets. So get your rubber gloves on, hold your breath and follow these instructions.

1. Scrape up as much of the faeces as you can without resorting to scrubbing, as this will push it into the fibres.
2. Take a damp paper towel and gently remove more of the poop, being careful not to spread the stain and make it bigger.
3. Get some household strength hydrogen peroxide mixed with water and apply it to the area, or use carpet stain removing spray and pre-treat the area. Let it sit for an hour or so.
4. Take it in turns blotting the stain with a solution-soaked cloth and paper towel to pick up the excess moisture.
5. When the stain is removed and nearly dry, cover the area with baking powder and let it sit for 24 hours.
6. Vacuum the area and the brown stain should be completely removed.

Removing Pet Hair

Pet hair is a permanent problem for pet owners with carpets. Make sure you vacuum your carpets a few times a week and invest in a hoover with pet hair cleaning accessories. Alternatively, you can run a slightly damp mop over the area (being careful not to get the carpet wet). This will attract hairs which you can then vacuum away. You can even try running a window cleaning squeegee over the surface of your carpets and watch in amazement as it scrapes up all those little hairs.

If you have any other tips for pet owners in keeping their carpets looking and smelling their best, please share your tips in the comments section below. And click here to browse our carpet cleaning products.

Photo by: Stephen Shellard