How to Remove Pet Smell and Stains from Rugs

You may have a jaw-dropping modern home, gorgeous Persian rugs worthy of kings and the perfect pets to keep you company. But all of this luxury could lose its gleam if you come home to the nose-crinkling smell of your pet’s pee or vomit pervading the air and staining your rugs.

Carpets and rugs are known to be the most high-maintenance floor elements at home. The expense doubles as pets can turn rugs into their second beds or dining areas. When your pets lie on the rug, oils are released from their fur, mixing with sweat, some crusty leftovers from their treats, slobber stains and dirty paw marks. 

Over time, all this dirt accumulates, and if left alone, can make the rugs smell unpleasant despite regular sweeping. So, how do you remove odors and pet stains from your rug? Here are some tips and tricks for you.

Preventing Pet Odors From Your Rug

Fabric tends to hold smells firmly. The first step to keeping the rug safe from foul odors is preventing it from happening from the get-go.

1. Never let your wet dog on the rug. Dogs love to rub down right after a bath, so make sure they’re completely towel- or blower-dried before you let them on the rug.
2. Purchase a vacuum with a washable filter. Make sure to wash the filter after each use, and always have spare filters on hand. Vacuuming furniture and rugs at least once a week can also be helpful.
3. Clean up accidents as soon as possible. This could be the best way to handle pet smells and stains on your rug. Once your pet urinates on your rug, place paper towels, newspapers, or anything more absorbent. Letting urine sit on the carpet for too long will be the root of bacteria growth, inducing more unpleasant smells. 
4. Create and use your own home mixtures. Follow up absorbing the urine by using homemade blends on your carpet. Baking soda is a great natural and DIY odor remover. Leave it overnight and clean the area with a vacuum the next morning. Another good alternative is spraying white vinegar or apple cider vinegar onto the carpet. Just let it sit for five minutes before blotting the area with a dry paper towel. 
5. Keep your home’s interior fresh. Cleaning the rug isn’t enough. Open doors and windows during the day to let the foul smell out and improve air circulation throughout the house. Having screen doors can better help with security and ensure that your pets don’t run off and out into the street when doors open. Using an air purifier is also an option. Change the air filters so they don’t get clogged, affecting the airflow in the house.
6. Call professional cleaning services every now and then. Regular cleaning is usually the best way to keep your rugs odor-free. Not everyone has the time, though. So sometimes, it’s better to hire the best rug cleaners near you to ensure thorough cleaning. Ideally, rugs should be cleaned every six to nine months. 

Tips When Hiring Rug Cleaning Services

1. Reputation and reviews. Make sure you hire a reputable company. Go online and check the customer reviews and ratings. People’s testimonials carry more weight than the company’s promises.
2. Expertise and cleaning methods. Ask about the company’s cleaning methods and expertise in handling your specific type of rug, as different materials require different cleaning methods. To avoid damage, it’s better if your chosen company has the right experience to properly treat your rug. 
3. They’re licensed and insured. Licensing demonstrates professionalism, while insurance assures coverage for any accidental damage during the cleaning process.
4. Pricing transparency. Don’t forget to request a detailed, written estimate that includes all costs. Be cautious of extra low prices, which could indicate hidden fees or subpar services. Understanding the full cost upfront also helps you budget sufficiently. 
5. Satisfaction guarantee. Inquire about the company’s satisfaction guarantee. If it’s a reputable rug cleaning company, they will stand by their work and offer a guarantee to address any issue if you’re dissatisfied with the results. This commitment also reflects their confidence in delivering the service.

Final Note

All in all, having an odor-free home is entirely possible as long as you put in more effort to take preventive measures with your pets by immediately addressing problems once they urinate or poop on the rug or by training your pets to do number 1 and 2 elsewhere. And remember the importance of hiring reputable rug cleaners who will get the job done right.

About the Author

Tony Kantzavelos is the CEO of Love Your Rug, a carpet and rug cleaning company established in 1984. Love Your Rug has 10,000 square feet of rug cleaning and repair facilities strategically located in East and West Toronto.