Pets are amazing.  They bring joy and fulfillment to our lives in so many wondrous ways and yet our carpets might disagree.  From time to time those beloved family members might have an accident or become sick on our floor fabrics.  As anyone who has had pets knows, those stains can be tough to tackle and have a tendency to linger on long after the incident.  Take a look at these few tips for how to combat those gnarly odors and lift those stains outta your life!

Never, Ever Rub – When a pet has an accident on your floor, your first thought is absorption.  How can I get it up as fast as possible?  Our instinct might have us rub at stains but it is always best to blot moisture up.  Rubbing can cause it to travel deeper into the carpet, effect the padding underneath or even set.  Always blot any stains with a dry, clean towel or napkin.

Get To It Immediately – As soon as you notice the stain occur, try and treat it.  The longer you leave it sit, the more it will set and the harder it will make an ultimate clean up.

Use Natural Concoctions – As in the featured tip, you can use undiluted soda water on any stains but you can also use a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1 cup vinegar.  If possible, pour it into a spray bottle to make application easier.  You want to spray the entire mix onto the carpet so that it hits the padding underneath and neutralize any urine or bacteria that might soak in.  Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda on top and let it all sit for 15 minutes.  Blot with a clean, dry towel and vacuum up the remainder.  Not only should it eliminate a stain altogether but the bacteria associated with it as well.

Dustpans For Mess – When it comes to vomit, slap on a pair of rubber gloves and use a dustpan.  A dustpan can pick up the majority of the mess and then you can use paper towels to get any leftovers.  Treat vomit stains immediately using the concoction recommended above.  Much like with bathroom accidents, you want to get rid of animal puke as soon as possible.

Old Stains – Old urine stains are going to require more than a little elbow grease to eliminate.  For these tough stains, you need enzyme based removers.  they break up waste particles and focus on the specific stain they are cultivated for.  You can find pet stain removers at big box stores, pet stores and online at sites like Amazon.  If the stain isn’t completely removed after use, you might want to enlist the help of a professional carpet cleaner in order to truly battle your carpet back to health.