While we all love our pets, no one is fond of the odors they may leave behind. Early detection is key as this will give you enough time to remove the odor before it becomes “permanent”. Note though that if the odor is caused by a pet that still lives with you, it will probably be a waste of time and money trying to get rid of the odors because most pets will continue to “revisit” their favorite spots. In any case, here are some suggestions:
1. Rent/Buy a black light. Use it to locate all stains. Outline each stain with a piece of chalk.
2. Buy and use a liquid enzyme based odor removal product. Do a spot test first to ensure that there won’t be discoloration.
3. Saturate each stain and leave the product for several days until dry.
4. If the stain is fresh, put paper towels down and press into the stain, absorbing as much moisture as possible, until it feels almost dry to the touch. Follow the directions on the stain removal product to get the stain and odor out.
5. If there are a number of old stains or you are having difficulty getting out with the stain, use a wet/dry vacuum with clean water to thoroughly clean and rinse both the carpet and the pad underneath. Avoid steam cleaning as it will permanently set the stain.
6. Use carpet deodorizer when you vacuum and use a fabric refreshing spray on the carpet once you have cleaned it thoroughly.
