Cleaning Pet Accidents

Anyone who shares their home with a pet will have to deal with a potty accident or stomach upset at one time or another.

Washable Item

If the accident occurs on a washable item such as a blanket, you will want to clean up any residual mess and spot treat the stain. Wash the item with your regular laundry detergent, adding some vinegar to the load.

Carpet

If you discover that your pet has had an accident on your carpet, the solution is a bit more challenging.

The most important tip is to clean the area immediately. Blot the stain thoroughly with clean, white cloth or paper towels. Use only white towels, otherwise towel dyes may bleed onto your carpet, compounding your problem. Continue blotting with fresh towels until the area is dry.

After soaking up as much liquid as possible, thoroughly clean the area with a product specifically designed to eliminate pet stains and odors. Products can be found in your local pet supply store. Using other cleaners not designed for this purpose will only mask the smell, and your pet will still be attracted to the same spot because of lingering odors. Be sure to test an inconspicuous area of your carpet first!

Unfortunately, some pet owners may find that their carpet is too damaged for cleaning to effectively remove pet odors. This may happen if your pet "hides" his accidents. If stains are not cleaned immediately, urine can not only discolor your carpet, but can seep down into the carpet backing and padding.

In this situation, many pet owners have made the decision to replace their carpet with an alternate flooring, rather than having their rooms re-carpeted.

Important Last Note

If your dog is experiencing problems with inappropriate elimination, even when your pet's problems seem to be clearly behavioral, it is always necessary to consult your vet to rule out any medical reasons for your dog's elimination difficulties.