Carpet Cleaning Guide for Pet Owners
Pets are wonderful additions to any home. But, they make it challenging to keep your home clean. They track in dirt from outside, have accidents, and get sick. Unfortunately, all of this and more can end up all over your carpet.
The good news is that you do not have to replace your carpet if your dog or cat makes a mess. Instead, you can use this Ralph Edinburgh Carpet Cleaning guide to take care of problems big and small . Remember that your pet is not purposefully trying to leave stains behind. They’re just living their best lives.
It is frustrating when your pets have accidents or track mud and dirt all over your carpets. Instead of having a meltdown or scolding your pets, the best thing to do is to take care of the problem. Remember, dealing with the stain before it sets is easier than scrubbing away at a stain that you ignored for weeks.
If you have your stain-fighting tool kit ready, then you are less likely to have permanent stains that discolor your carpet and make your home stink. Once you see the spot, put your pet in a different room or its crate, and get to work.
2. Build a Carpet Cleaning Kit
Your Ralph Edinburgh Carpet Cleaning kit should include products that work on wet spots and dry spots. Enzyme cleaners can tackle urine, blood, and vomit . Some enzyme cleaners do not smell good, and some can discolor carpet or upholstery. Read the labels to find out what is in the bottle.
- Spray the enzyme cleaner on the spot. Then, let it sit and get to work. After at least 15 minutes has expired, use a rag to blot at the stain. Do not rub or scrub, because this will drive the urine into your carpet fibers.
- After you’ve used the enzyme cleaner and blotted at the stain, you can use a vacuum to give your carpet a quick clean.
- If your animal leaves behind solid waste, all you need is baking soda, a putty knife, some disinfectant, and your vacuum cleaner. Be careful scooping up the mess because you could rub the waste into your carpet fibers. With a putty knife, you can get under the waste, lift it, and toss it in the trash.
- Once you have removed the solid waste, sprinkle baking soda on it to soak up the odor and any wetness. Let the baking soda sit and work for a few minutes, then vacuum it all up. Spray a pet-safe disinfectant on the spot after you’ve vacuumed up the baking soda.
3. Invest in a Carpet Cleaner for Pets
Homeowners who do not have pets should have their carpets cleaned at least once per year. If you have pets, you should clean your carpets more frequently, at least every six months or more. Professional carpet cleaners can do the job. But if you are hiring them several times per year, it can be expensive.
When you have a carpet cleaner, you can use it anytime that your pets leave a mess on the floor. Most people use upright carpet cleaners to care for an entire room at a time. Pet owners benefit from small hand-held carpet cleaners for spot cleaning. As carpet cleaning machines are affordable, pet owners often buy both types.
You can use hand-held carpet cleaners in emergency stain situations. Upright carpet cleaners are better for whole room carpet cleanings. Taking care of emergency messes and doing regular maintenance increases the life of your carpet.
4. Tips for Maintaining Your Carpet
No matter how hard you work to maintain your carpet, your pets will surprise you. Carpet is expensive, and no one wants to replace it sooner than expected. While keeping it clean with a carpet shampooer and with quality products helps, these other tips will help extend the life of your flooring investment.
Invest in Rugs
Rugs are useful tools that can extend the life of your carpet. Rugs cost significantly less than installed carpet, and they are easy to replace. A strategically placed rug can give your pet a place to wipe its paws before it gets to your expensive carpet.
Some homeowners put rugs in heavily trafficked areas to keep the dirt off of their carpet. Your pets might like laying on the rugs, rather than on your furniture or installed carpet.
If you use rugs, you should clean them regularly. Dirt can escape through the bottoms and get into your carpet. You can use your carpet-cleaning kit on rugs. You can also take rugs outside to clean them vigorously.
Clean Your Pet’s Paws
Many people take off their shoes and leave them near the door. Think of your pet’s paws as its shoes . Before your pet leaves the entryway, you can clean your pet’s paws to prevent them from bringing outdoor dirt into the house.
It is easy to clean paws with a spray bottle filled with warm, soapy water. Then, have a towel handy to dry them quickly. Clean paws are less likely to damage carpets than dirty ones. When you clean your pet’s paws, you keep bacteria off of your floors, too.
Take Your Pet to the Groomer
While you cannot prevent accidents, you can keep your pet clean. Regularly take your pet to a groomer or bathe your pet. Clean, groomed pets are less likely to leave excessive amounts of pet hair, dirt, and grime inside of your home. Little things like grooming your pet will help keep your home and carpets cleaner for more extended periods.
Proactively Clean Your Home
When you have pets, proactive cleaning helps. Vacuuming your carpets every day will extend their lifespans. If you only vacuum when your carpet is dirty, your carpet will not last long. Dirt, grime, and dander gets deep into the fibers and can damage your carpet over time.
If you own a carpet cleaner, there is nothing wrong with using it every week or twice per month.
Need Professional Carpet Cleaning?
If you have a pet, you can use an enzyme cleaner to do quick spot cleaning on your carpet and furniture .
Enzyme cleaners are easy to use. The liquid cleaners come in spray bottles so you can direct the product to the stain. You can use them on clothing, blankets, car interiors, or anywhere else that your pet has an accident.
Choosing the Best Enzyme Cleaner
Enzyme cleaners are not all the same. Manufacturers include different types of enzymes for different types of stains. Most will work on either dog and cat urine, but some will take longer to break down the stain and odor.
Some have natural smells that might be unpleasant for you and your pets. They aren’t dangerous smells; they just don’t smell good.
If you have one pet, pick an enzyme cleaner designed for the chemical make-up of your dog’s or cat’s urine. However, if you have dogs and cats, get an enzyme cleaner that will work on both types of animal urine.
Some enzyme cleaners will not work on solid or porous surfaces like countertops, vinyl floors, or wood floors. Wood floors can absorb urine. If you have wood floors, be sure your enzyme cleaner will penetrate the wood and remove the sticky substance.
Types of Enzyme Cleaners
When you shop for an enzyme cleaner, you should be aware of the three types:
- Amylase: This type works by breaking down the starches and carbohydrates. It will not work well on pet urine or blood.
- Lipase: This type removes grease and oil by breaking down fats. It won’t work well on urine.
- Protease: This is the best type for removing urine because it breaks down proteins and peptides.
Some enzyme cleaners have all three types, while others have only one. Buy the one that meets your cleaning needs.
How to Get the Best Results with a Carpet Cleaner for Pets
1. Read the Manual
Before you use your carpet cleaner, read the manual. Carpet cleaners might look like large vacuums, but they do not work in the same way. You usually have to go through several steps to get your carpet clean and dry. Only the owner’s manual can tell you how to use the machine effectively.
2. Vacuum Before You Shampoo Your Carpet
Carpet cleaners use water, solutions, sprays, and brushes to get deep into the fibers and base of the carpet. If you vacuum first, you clean up the top layer of dirt, so your carpet cleaner doesn’t have to do it. When you vacuum, you will suck up pet hair on the surface of your carpet, keeping it out of your carpet cleaner.
Many carpet cleaners do not use suction until the final pass where you suck up the water. Vacuuming first lets you get the best results with your carpet cleaner.
3. Clean and Maintain the Pet Carpet Cleaner
After you have cleaned your carpet, take the time to clean and maintain the carpet cleaner. You will extend the life of the machine if you take care of it. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning it and be sure you let it dry before you store it until the next time. A clean machine works better than a dirty one.
4. Keep Your Pet Clean
You will use your carpet shampooer less often if you keep your pet clean. Wash your pet’s paws before you let it walk on your carpet. Take your pet to a groomer for regular baths and trims. When you have fewer messes to clean, you can give your pet carpet cleaning machine a break and use it a few times per year, rather than once per month.You will use your carpet shampooer less often if you keep your pet clean. Wash your pet’s paws before you let it walk on your carpet. Take your pet to a groomer for regular baths and trims. When you have fewer messes to clean, you can give your pet carpet cleaning machine a break and use it a few times per year, rather than once per month.
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