Pet accidents can be nasty, and at the same time, tricky to deal with! If not addressed properly, it can leave your home with permanent stains and lingering odors.
Therefore, in order to tackle them the right way, there are certain things you need to keep in mind. In this blog, we’ve discussed some common mistakes you should avoid when dealing with pet stains and odors.
5 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Removing Pet Odors And Stains
1. Not acting promptly
A pet stain, or any liquid stain for that matter, can easily seep into the surface and settle deeper if not cleaned promptly, especially in the case of upholstery, carpets, and other soft surfaces.
Leaving it untreated for long can not only make it difficult for you to remove it but also make the odors stubborn. Therefore treat it as soon as you notice it. This will save you from a lot of trouble later.
Moreover, when dealing with pet stains, rubbing the stains is another mistake! Rubbing or scrubbing will spread it even more and make it worse. Just dab/blot the spot and soak as much moisture as you can before cleaning it.
2. Using acidic & chemical-based cleaners
Just like OTC deodorizers, cleaning a pet stain with a harsh cleaner is yet another mistake you should avoid.
First, these cleaners have a strong chemical smell. If you clean the spot with them, the fumes/smell will invite your pet to mark the same spot again.
Second, such products might not be safe for your pets because of the harmful chemicals added to them which leave residue, especially when cleaning carpets or upholstery.
Instead, using enzymatic and green cleaners is an effective method for pet stain and odor removal. They won’t just break down the stain thoroughly and safely but also repel your pet from repeating to mark the spot again.
3. Overwetting
Be it carpet or upholstery, using excess water to remove pet stains is a big mistake. Oversaturating the surface will penetrate the water deeper and make it difficult to dry the spot. Any excess moisture left behind can also invite mold growth later.
Opt to use water sparingly and only as much as needed. Make sure you blot all the excess moisture after you clean and dry it thoroughly.
4. Cleaning only until the stain is gone
For most pet owners, cleaning a pet stain is all about getting the stain off the surface. But this is a mistake.
You might have cleaned the stain from the surface and it’s not there visibly. But if the odor still lingers, it means some part of the stain is settled deeper and you’ve done an incomplete job.
A pet stain is supposed to penetrate & spread a few inches wider underneath than what is visible on the surface. If it is not cleaned thoroughly, the odors will linger for a long time and your pet might make it the territory again.
5. Using deodorizing powders
Many people prefer to use deodorizing powders (i.e., carpet powders) to remove pet odors from the spot.
Most store-bought powders are ineffective at eliminating odors from the source and just work by masking them for a while. Moreover, their minute particles can penetrate the surfaces and form residue even after vacuuming, which attracts dirt.
Instead of that, you should ensure thorough cleaning so the odors are worked on at the source and use natural deodorizers like baking soda.
