Pet odors can linger in your carpet, making your home smell less than fresh. If your pet has soiled the carpet more than once, or if you’ve used cleaning chemicals on the spot before, it can be especially difficult to get rid of the odor. Luckily, you can try several natural cleaners to remove pet odor from your carpets and keep your home smelling clean.
Vacuuming the carpet regularly helps eliminate odors by removing lingering dirt and residues. This is a must for any type of carpet cleaning, but it’s particularly important with pet accidents. Using a carpet vacuum with rotating brushes can help lift and remove the odor-causing residues more thoroughly. Having an air filter in your home can also reduce the amount of particles that can settle on the floor, causing odors.
Baking soda can also be effective at pet odor removal for carpets. Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, being sure to cover all areas that have been soiled or smelly. Let the baking soda sit overnight, and vacuum the surface the next morning. This should significantly reduce or even remove the odor, and it’s a cheap and easy way to keep your carpets smelling fresh and clean.
Vinegar is another powerful household cleaner that can help you get rid of odors from your carpet. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the affected area. Wet the area a few hours later with a paper towel and repeat the process. This should neutralize the odors in the carpet and keep them from coming back.
If the odor is especially strong, you may need to use a stronger solution like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. Be careful not to use harsh chemical cleaners on your carpet, as they can damage it and strip it of its color. If you’re worried about damaging your carpet, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner to do the job.
Enzyme cleaners are good options for removing stubborn pet stains and odors. These types of cleaners contain good bacteria, such as amylase and protease, which break down organic materials like blood, urine, and feces. They’re also much better for the environment than traditional chemical cleaners.
When pets urinate on your carpet, they often soak it into the carpet padding as well. This can leave behind uric acid crystals that aren’t very water-soluble and can be hard to remove with regular cleaning methods.
Using an enzyme cleaner can break down the uric acid and remove the odors, and they’re generally safer for your pet than chemical cleaners. If the odor is particularly severe, you may need to remove and replace the carpet and padding.
You can prevent pet odors from occurring in the first place by potty training your pet and cleaning up any accidents right away. It’s also a good idea to vacuum regularly, to remove any hair that might be stuck in the fibers of your carpet.