Carpet Cleaning Tricks

Cleaning urine off Carpet

Accidents happen and even the most well-behaved dog or cat (or person) may have the occasional accident on your carpet. If not cleaned properly and promptly, pet urine stains can settle into the carpet fiber, padding and sometimes even the floor, causing a very stinky and difficult problem. Most pets will continue to urinate in the same area if the smell is not removed completely. If your pet has urinated on your carpet, or you suspect he has, following these steps can help you contain the problem before it gets out of hand.

What you will need:

*Always test a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet with the intended cleaning solution first to make sure no staining, color fading or other damage will occur.

Steps to Remove the Stain:

1. If the urine stain is fresh, place an old towel over the area and blot up excess moisture, using as much body weight as possible (try standing on the towel).
2. If urine has dried, use black light to locate the spot, and mark of a square around the area(s) with masking tape.
3. To use the cleaning solutions:
4. Synthetic Carpets: Spray area with 409 or other specially designed cleaner and let stand for 5 minutes.
5. Oriental Rugs: Moisten washcloth with CitraSolve, lay on top of stain and gently apply pressure with back of spoon to work into stain, remove cloth and sprinkle damp spot with dry Borax.
6. Wool Rugs: Moisten area with cleaning solution.
7. Blot stain with old towel in a circular motion, working from the outside in (be sure to wear rubber gloves )
8. Spray with fresh water to rinse.
9. Blot with clean towel to dry until residue is removed.
10. Cover stain with clean cloth or stack of paper towels and put heavy weight on top (heavy books, etc.)
11. Let sit for several hours or overnight.
12. Remove weights and towels and let area dry.
13. When area is completely dry, vacuum to remove any remaining residue and restore carpet texture.

NOTE: The cleaning solution recommended for Oriental Rugs can safely be used on synthetic carpets in lieu of the 409 or other commercial cleaner.