Favorite Stain Cleaner
Anyone got a favorite pet stain cleaner they'd like to suggest? You can see where this post is going, so if this is too much information, just skip to the next one. As foster moms, we talk about bodily functions a lot!
We had a Heartland meeting last night and I think I'm trying to get a sinus infection. As soon as I walked in the door, I could smell that we had a problem even through the stuffed up nose. How the husband and two children didn't notice is beyond me! But he is sick too, so he probably couldn't smell it. The boy just said, oh, so that's what that smell was. Nice.... The old man dog has a touchy tummy, so even though I wanted to just become one with the couch, I had a mess to clean up. It took me over an hour to pick it all up, spot treat, scrub the spots, vaccuum the floor and then get the steam cleaner out. It looked pretty good last night, but this morning you can still see all the spots. They are much lighter, but still visible. Then while I was out today he did it again!
The whole house needs new carpet - we're thinking something in a shade of brown that would match dog poop and cat puke, or at least the shade that the stains become when you've cleaned them and they dry out. Actually, the big spot under the table looks like a nice champagne color - I could live with that throughout the house!
We're thinking of putting ceramic tile in the dining room. For some reason, when the dogs have an accident, it's always in that room. But of course, if we do that, they'll pick a different area with carpet. We've considered getting a cheap throw rug for under the table that could be replaced when they get sick. It's amazing what we put up with from the pets! Why do they always have to go for the carpeted areas when there's perfectly good tile a few feet away?
Comments
This sounds like our house! I've found "Spot Shot" works really well on carpets (good for a quick fix if I don't have time to drag out the carpet cleaner). The Hoover Pet Formula detergent for our carpet cleaner works well too. :)
This is how we usually clean up anything of that nature:
1) Make sure the complete mess is cleaned as best as possible.
2) Use cold water with a rag or towel to take off any other "debris".
3) We then use a 1:1 solution - it's white vinegar mixed with cold tap water...we have a sprayer and we spray it onto the affected area.
4) Let it sit 5 minutes or so and then use a soapy-water solution with a towel and dab it take up the vinegar. Use just a tiny amount of a dishwashing detergent like dove...it has to be a clear soap or it wil stain the carpet. (Use 1/8 tablespoon detergent to 2-3 cups of cold water...seems to get the best mix).
5) One more dab of cold water to remove the soap and let dry. Dip the towel in and dab onto the carpeted area. If the stain still shows you may have to repeat the treatment a few times...I've found this method to work great. I realize this may be a bit more time-consuming, but I think it's worth the effort.