Having problems with dander and odor on your carpet is inevitable as long as the pets stay indoors. It is not easy to prevent some natural or spontaneous processes in pets. Pets will urinate, defecate, play, and move in and out of the house at any given time. Their activities may leave your carpet in a mess of smell and hair, if not tough stains.
There are several ways in which homeowners can clean their carpets at a personal level. Still, other cleaning activities may need professional help. Read along to find out five unique ways that you can adopt to remove pet hair and smells from carpet.
Why Pet Odor and Dander Deposits are Persistent on Carpets?
Innovation has necessitated some preventive measures as opposed to reactionary ones. For instance, there are pet-proof carpets that are easy to clean and last longer. Such carpets can withstand the effects of vigorous scrubbing most of the time.
Other innovators have gone ahead to make pet-specific cleaning substances—all in an attempt to find a solution to the menace. Many cleaning agents in the market may guide an interested home keeper. They include:
- Cleaner for pet odor removing
- Stain removers
- Carpet cleaners for pet-based dirt
Regardless of whichever cleaning product one chooses, pet smell continues to be a problem. Dogs are worse than cats when it comes to spreading dirt and dander on the carpet. Unlike cats that may spend most or all their time inside the house, dogs can move in and out repeatedly. In the process, they bring in the dirt, thus contributing to more smell and staining.
The problem may be bigger where there are dogs compared to where there are cats. Even then, the experience is quite similar. As such, cleaning solutions, in either case, depending on the following five methods.
5 Ways to Get Rid Of Pet Hair and Smells in Carpets
1.Use of Vacuuming to Remove Pet Hair and Smell from Carpet
Before doing anything else, a good home keeper should vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Vacuuming helps in reaching the hard-to-get areas where pet hair and solid waste hide. Debris and odor accumulating within the carpet fiber do not stand a chance once vacuuming becomes a routine.
Pets may carry disease-causing organisms, foodstuffs, or other objects that may leave debris on the carpet. These factors, together with the effects of urine and defecation, leave an irritating mess. As such, regular vacuuming is necessary to keep that carpet odor and debris-free.
For vacuuming to be useful as a method of effective carpet cleaning, it requires getting some things right. A suitable vacuuming procedure involves the following:
- Moving the vacuum in the correct way
- Using a vacuum of the right quality
- Changing the vacuum system filters regularly
Is there a right way of vacuuming?
Yes, there is. When the vacuum cleaner moves backward while pulling, its suction capacity is at its peak. It works better when the movements are slow and in systematic straight line patterns.
Also, any serious cleaning must avoid a low-quality vacuum since the filters cannot effectively hold allergens and dirt. The best quality filters capture the disease-causing particles and organisms, thus denying them a chance to float around.
An example of a high-quality device is Dreame V11 Vacuum Cleaner. This vacuum has a powerful filter that traps even the smallest particles. Even then, the filter works better if the vacuum gets a new one every month to ensure freshness.
2. Exposing the Carpet to Sunlight
Dogs like cats and dogs leave their body odors everywhere they go or sleep. Besides the smell, they may pass urine or vomit on the carpet. Cleaning the rug alone may not get rid of the smell completely. Hence there is a need for a complementary method.
Some homeowners prefer to take the carpet outside and expose it to sunlight and fresh air. Exposure to airflow helps in eliminating bad smells. This method works best if you have enough space in your yard.
In rental units where the space is small, the alternative could be drawing the curtains, windows, and doors. The natural light acts as a disinfectant and odor remover. The ultraviolet light from the sun provides a cheaper alternative to commercial disinfectants.
It is not advisable to expose the carpet to sunlight for a long time since it may damage them. When using this method, most people ensure that the rug is indoors by evening to avoid absorbing moisture. If the exposure is by hanging, it may expose the carpet fibers to overstretching and possible damage.
3. Use of Vinegar and Baking Soda
The combination of vinegar and baking soda is a potent hair, stain, and odor remover. Vinegar bears the germ-killing ability while baking soda absorbs the odor and adds a sweet smell. They are both very effective when cleaning involves them as a complement to water and soap.
Using baking soda solution and vinegaring agents involves pouring them on the carpet that contains the dirt or mess. Leaving the cleaning agents on the carpet for several hours makes it easy to eliminate the dirt using a simple brush. Besides the smell, the combination of vinegar and baking soda eliminates mild stains and is not very effective for stubborn stains.
Vinegar is a powerful solution. It does not clean the carpet without scrubbing. A reasonable amount of force is necessary while washing to ensure effective cleaning. However, too much scrubbing can damage the fibers.
On the other hand, cleaning with baking soda is more effective and straightforward and does not require scrubbing. Applying a little baking soda is enough to prepare the carpet for vacuuming the following day. It is a quick and inexpensive way that many households can use to get rid of pet odor in carpets.
4. Use of Chemical Cleaners
Chemical cleaners are a diversion from the friendlier and more natural vinegar and baking soda. One good thing about these cleaners is their effectiveness since manufacturers target them specifically to remove odor. Some chemical cleaners contain perchloroethylene and other elements that the Environmental Protection Agency associates with liver damage and cancerous infections.
Such cleaners require the following precautions while using them:
- Use of face mask to avoid inhalation
- Keeping them away from children and pets
- Keeping all the windows and doors open until their effect subsides
The main problem with most chemical cleaners is their temporary effects on the smell. The odor resumes immediately after the impact of the chemicals disappears. Enzyme-based cleaners are a better option since they work differently.
The bio-enzymes in these chemicals attack the bacteria that cause odors, thus eliminating the problem's root. Since bio-enzymes work by attacking bacteria, they do not pose many health risks to humans. As such, using enzyme-based chemical cleaners to remove pet hair and smells from carpet is one of the safer ways.
Bacteria from pet urine, saliva, or feces do not survive under chemical cleaners. On the flip side, however, enzymatic chemical cleaners are not good stain removers. They only remove the bacteria. It is advisable to use them together with other methods of carpet cleaning.
5. Use of Professional Carpet Cleaners
All four methods above are possible on a do-it-yourself basis. However, it is impossible to rule out the professionals' role if you want to get rid of pet odor in carpets. Professional carpet cleaners can succeed where home-based cleaning may not be 100% effective.
For instance, cleaning huge carpets at home can be cumbersome. Yet, with machines and high-level skills, professional cleaners can do it with much ease. Unlike professional cleaners, regular homeowners may not notice all the sources of odor.
Further, professional cleaners can tell which method or equipment is suitable for use. They can also advise on how to avoid staining the carpet with animal hair. Besides, they can share tips on what to do if a pet goes on a call of nature.
Final Take and Call to Action
Any of these five ways can help in removing pet dander and odor from your carpet. As an indispensable way of carpet cleaning, the efficiency and convenience of the vacuum cleaner can not be replaced by the other four methods. In most circumstances, a combination of several of those methods gives better results.
Pets are permanent residents in most houses. Hence the problem they cause is recurrent. Pets will continue being pets as their animal instincts dictate. It is, thus, your duty as the homeowner to maintain cleanliness.
Regardless of the method you choose, don't forget that vacuuming is essential.
