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Effective ways to remove dog urine from carpet and hardwood floors

How to stop dog waste from dampening your day… and your floors.

With the weather getting warmer and the days growing longer, it’s becoming possible to take your furry companion out for a long walk in the sunshine.

Or to let them out into the garden without the worry of them trekking muddy prints back into the house.

But as any dog owner is aware, just because they can go to the toilet outside, it doesn’t always mean that they will.

But not to worry, accidents happen, and there are ways of dealing with the mess. That’s why we’ve put together a blog on the best ways to clean up after your dog.

How to Clean Urine from Carpet

Fresh Urine

If the urine is fresh, your first instinct might be to cover the area of the stain with paper towels, and you’d be right.

In the case of a fresh urine stain, the best thing to do is cover the affected area with paper towels.

Ensure you apply a significant amount of pressure rather than letting them sit on top.

Applying more pressure will allow you to soak up the urine as much as possible.

If the stain is set

If, unfortunately, you didn’t catch the stain in time and the urine is now set into the carpet, there are still ways to help.

Simply sprinkle some baking soda onto the stain and let it sit for a moment.

Then, decant some distilled white wine vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it onto the affected area.

After that, you need to wipe it with a wet dishcloth. If the stain is still set in the carpet following this, you might need to repeat the process.

How to Clean Urine from Hardwood Floor

It is easier to deal with dog urine on a hardwood or tiled floor. Simply wipe away the urine with a paper towel and spray the area with a cleaning solution.

When buying a cleaner

When choosing a store-bought cleaner to get rid of dog urine, be sure to use an enzymatic cleaner that is specifically designed to remove pet urine.

These can include well-known brands like Vanish®, which have their own pet stain and odour removers.

Steer clear of cleaners that contain ammonia such as many Flash® or Dettol® products dog urines also contain ammonia, so this may encourage your dog to mark the same spot.

Getting help from the professionals

If the odour from dog urine is still present after cleaning, then it may be time to enlist the help of a professional carpet and hardwood cleaning business like ServiceMaster Clean or use a carpet cleaning device.

However, if you do try and deal with the smell yourself, make sure you avoid using a steam cleaner as the steam will set the odours into the carpet fibres.

To enlist the help of our professional home cleaning experts, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a free, no-obligation quotation today.

How to remove dog urine from carpet and hardwood

With the weather getting warmer and the days growing longer, it’s becoming possible to take your furry companion out for a long walk in the sunshine. Or to let them out into the garden without the worry of them trekking muddy pawprints back into the house. But as any dog owner is aware, just because they can go outside, it doesn’t always mean that they will. But not to worry, accidents happen, and there are ways of dealing with the mess. That’s why we’ve put together a blog on the best ways to clean up after your dog.

How to Clean Urine from Carpet

Fresh Urine:

If the urine is fresh, your first instinct might be to cover the area of the stain with paper towels, and you’d be right. In the case of a fresh urine stain, the best thing to do is cover the affected area with paper towels. But, make sure you apply a significant amount of pressure rather than letting them sit on top. Applying more pressure will allow you to soak up the urine as much as possible.

If the stain is set:

If, unfortunately, you didn’t catch the stain in time and the urine is now set into the carpet, there are still ways to help. Simply sprinkle some baking soda onto the stain and let it sit for a moment. Then, decant some distilled white wine vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it onto the affected area. After that, you need to wipe it with a wet dishcloth. If the stain is still set in the carpet following this, you might need to repeat the process.

How to Clean Urine from Hardwood Floor

It is easier to deal with dog urine on a hardwood or tiled floor. Simply wipe away the urine with a paper towel and spray the area with a cleaning solution.

When buying a cleaner:

When choosing a store-bought cleaner to get rid of dog urine, be sure to use an enzymatic cleaner that is specifically designed to remove pet urine. These can include well-known brands like Vanish®, which have their own pet stain and odour removers. Be sure to steer clear of cleaners that contain ammonia such as many Flash® or Dettol® products dog urines also contain ammonia, so this may encourage your dog to mark the same spot.

If the odour from dog urine is still present after cleaning, then it may be time to enlist the help of a professional carpet and hardwood cleaning business like ServiceMaster Clean or use a carpet cleaning device. However, if you do try and deal with the smell yourself, make sure you avoid using a steam cleaner as the steam will set the odours into the carpet fibres.

For more advice and cleaning tips, or to enlist the help of our professional domestic cleaning services, stay tuned to our blog or find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a free consultation today.

8 Tips on keeping your home clean with a dog around

If you share your home with a fluffy little pooch, the good news is that studies show you’re probably happier and healthier. On the other hand, your house probably isn’t as happy!

Don’t worry, we’ve compiled our top tips to keep your pet-friendly home feeling fresh and clean all day, every day.

1.Keep your pets clean

If your pup is covered in mud after every walk, it’s time to set up a pet grooming routine. It sounds obvious, but dirt removed through grooming your dog is dirt that’s not going to be trampled around your home. While you shouldn’t use pet shampoo every time, a quick wash down with water will make a huge difference. Keep your damp dog in one particular area, preferably with an easy to clean floor, for example;  your utility room or your kitchen. You could thoroughly dry them afterwards to avoid any Eau de damp dog. Depending on your dog’s breed, they may also require a trim now and then, this will help with reducing the amount of mud coming into your home.

2.Upgrade your upholstery

If you want to snuggle with your pup on the sofa it might be time to upgrade your current sofa. The wrong material can act as a hair magnet, hold odours that you won’t want lingering in your home and show up stains. You should be looking for a leather or tightly woven material sofa, ideally in a similar shade to your pets. If you can’t afford a new sofa, purchase a pet-friendly throw or blanket which can be washed when needed.

3.Buy a quality vacuum cleaner

You’ll need an extra-strong suction, quality filter and good brush action to pull the hair from your carpet and upholstery. Consider the type of flooring you have in your home and if your pet goes on the furniture, look for one which is good for cleaning upholstery too. If you’ve got yourself a dog that sheds all the time, you’ll need to vacuum daily to keep on top of things. Make sure you regularly clean out the filter too as a hair and dirt clogged filter will spread the smell of pet hair whenever you vacuum and you don’t want that!

4.Set up a dog cleaning station

We’re talking things like a heavy-duty doormat, easily accessible dog towels, wipes and a water spray bottle to clean those muddy paws when you’re coming back for your walk. Maybe as a treat for being such a good pooch keep a couple of treats there too.

5.Regularly clean your pet’s things

You’ll need to regularly clean your pet’s things, including pet beds, toys and even leads can pick up that strong dog odour. Try and purchase all items that are machine washable to make your life easier, otherwise, you can wash them by hand in the sink. Save this chore for a warmer day and allow them to dry outside where the sun will help with killing those bad odours.

6.React quickly to accidents

A life with a pet means the odd accident is going to happen no matter what, when this does happen act as fast as you can and use an enzyme-based cleaner to minimise smells.

7.Buy a good dog bed

Don’t get lured in with those beds that have a nice design and extra fluffy lining, they will usually be a nightmare to clean. Instead go for a simpler, water-resistant, easy to wipe down option. Give it a quick wipe down once a week and leave it out to air in the sun whenever possible to dry out and get rid of the smell.

8.Air your home regularly

Is Eau de dog affecting the energy in your home? Well, now that spring is here, you can open your windows and let some fresh air in, and even on cold days, a 10-minute blast of fresh air works wonders at deodorising those unwanted smells.

Contact your local Merry Maids here to find out more about how we can keep your home looking spick and span.