In the busy, demanding, and harsh lifestyle many of us lead today, having a pet is arguably one of the most effective stressbusters. Pets are rightfully called our best companions as they’re so pure and selfless and bring so much love and positivity to our lives.

That said, most pet owners have faced the issue of their furnishings getting soiled due to the occasional accident pets are susceptible to despite the best of training. So, it becomes essential to equip ourselves with the knowledge about how to clean these stains from carpets and other such furnishings.

Timing

The quickest and easiest way to clean a stain is to get rid of it as soon as you notice one. Don’t let the material (poop/urine/vomit) dry. The longer the stain is allowed to languish, the harder it is to remove, and the odor also worsens over time.

Steps for cleaning fresh stains

1. Wear gloves.
2. Pick up the solids in the poop/vomit with a scraper or a dustpan, before it settles deep into the carpet bed. Alternatively, a wet vacuum can be used for convenience.
3. Dab with a cloth/paper towel multiple times to lift off the watery residue, as much as possible, working from the outside towards the center of the stain. Take care not to scrub the area vigorously, else you might push the stain deeper into the layers of the carpet.
4. Sprinkle some baking soda on the stain. Then place another cloth/paper towel over and below the affected area and put firm pressure, preferably for an hour or two, by placing some heavy objects (e.g. a pile of books) over it.
5. Once most of the stain has been lifted off, put some fresh water on the affected area (don’t soak with too much water) and repeat the process of dabbing with a cloth/paper towel a few more times. In the case of urine, you can use water and dishwashing liquid in equal proportions.
6. Use a good quality odor neutralizer on the carpet once you’ve performed the steps above and the affected area has dried-up.

Steps for cleaning dried stains

Cleaning dried stains require extra patience and effort on your part. The above-mentioned steps have to be repeated a significantly greater number of times to get the desired result.

Also, any dried excreta/vomit must be scraped carefully before cleaning with liquids.

Household cleaning aids

Some common household chemicals can be used for cleaning pet stains as well as stains caused by other accidents.

• Lukewarm water and white vinegar work well in a 50:50 ratio. However, avoid using vinegar when dealing with a wet stain as it may lead to an acidic reaction.
• Baking soda and white vinegar can be used to lift off more stubborn stains.
• Pet enzymes are known to be very effective stain and odor removers. They can be easily found in stores selling cleaning products.

Nowadays, most carpets/furnishings come with instructions on dealing with such situations and also mention the ideal cleaning aid and supplies to be used. If not, those can be enquired about/purchased from the maker of the carpet.

Professional help

If the stain appears to be too deep/widespread or isn’t coming out despite following the above process, you need to get in touch with a professional carpet cleaner.