We love our pets, but there’s no question that they can generate their fair share of bad smells. No matter how often you bathe the dog, or change the cat’s litter box, pet odors and bacteria can permeate the air. Scented air sprays mask the smell without killing the bacteria, and usually contain chemicals that can be harmful to breathe. Try these easy, effective, non-toxic DIY solutions to naturally remove pet odors from your home: Pet Bedding, Carpet and Powder Cleaners Pet bedding, rugs and carpets harbor germs and odors. To clean and deodorize, try these natural powder solutions. You’ll need a glass syrup dispenser with a slide-top lid (pictured), or a glass jar with holes punched in the metal top to distribute the powder. Removing Pet Stains From Carpets and RugsAnd when they happen, not only can the carpet get saturated with urine, but it usually soaks through the carpet to the pad underneath, making it especially challenging. When puppy or kitty makes a fresh puddle on the carpet, lay cotton rags or paper towels on top of the urine and blot up as much as possible. 

Next, pour plain water directly on the soiled area and soak up the liquid again, blotting with additional paper towels. Repeat the process if necessary until the moisture absorbed into the towels is no longer yellow.best vacuum to clean carpeted stairs To discourage repeated offenses, you will need to remove the urine stain and scent from the carpet. best steam cleaners uk 2012Pour white distilled vinegar on the spot. best vacuum cleaner for pet hair south africaThen, sprinkle baking soda on top. carpet cleaning spray gunThe mixture will bubble and fizz as the baking soda absorbs the urine. carpet cleaners for fleas

Place a basket or plate upside down over the treated spot and allow it to set undisturbed for at least one day. After a day or two, vacuum up the baking soda and hopefully the stain and odors will have vanished. the best carpet and upholstery steam cleaner reviewStubborn pet stains may require a specialized pet formula enzyme-based cleaner. 1. Place paper towels on the mess and tread on it to absorb as much liquid as possible. 2. Mix a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water and pour liberally on the stain and work the solution in with a brush to ensure it penetrates the carpet fibers below. Blot the area again using the paper towel method above. The vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in the urine. If you own a wet/dry vac, use that to remove excess moisture. If the stain is older and dry, repeat the above steps, adding a few drops of liquid dish soap to the white vinegar and water.

When the area has dried or nearly dry, sprinkle the area with a handful of baking soda. 3. Then, mix 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of the dish soap. Using gloves, slowly pour the hydrogen peroxide and dish soap solution over the baking powder (use only as much as needed). Work the dissolving baking soda well into the carpet, first with your fingers and then with a brush. Allow the area to dry completely and then vacuum thoroughly. Important: Only use 3% hydrogen peroxide and test your carpet for color fastness in an area that won’t show. Avoid using cleaners containing ammonia in areas where pets frequent indoors. Ammonia has a scent similar to urine, and pets may urinate in the area where it was used. Tea tree oil can be toxic to cats, thus should never be applied directly to their skin. When cleaning cat bedding, lavender essential oil, diluted in a spray solution, is a safer choice.Homemade Pet Stain Remover Recipes for Natural Homemade Pet Stain Remover

Accidents happen, even with the most well-trained pets. Cleaning up after your cat has peed on the carpet or your dog has lost bladder control on the bed can be a tedious task and sometimes even hazardous if you use conventional urine stain removers that are overloaded with fragrances and chemicals. Thankfully, there are some good recipes for homemade pet stain removers that will eliminate the offending odor. General pet stain removal tipsThere are several things you should do to treat your pet stains so that they don’t make a permanent mark on your home. These general pet stain removal tips are important for complete removal of the problem:Always treat the stain as soon as possible.Blot as much excess urine as you can with newspaper, eco-friendly paper towel, or rag.Always work from the outside of stain inward so that you don’t spread the stain further, especially when dealing with carpet.With carpet, you must remove excess urine and treat the stain for all layers of the flooring - carpet, padding, and any other under layers. 

Homemade pet stain remover recipesMaking your own homemade pet stain removers is simple and will usually require only simple, natural ingredients that you can find in your kitchen cupboard.Baking soda: This is nature’s deodorizer and is harmless for your family and the environment. It can be used in a variety of ways depending on the surface you’re treating.For machine-washable items, throw an entire box of baking soda into the washing machine with the affected items and run a normal load. If you can still smell urine, wash the items again with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle.For carpeting or upholstered items that can be laundered, liberally sprinkle baking soda over the area and allow it to soak up as much moisture as possible. Vacuum remaining soda thoroughly then treat with one of the other options listed below.Vinegar: After thoroughly blotting the stain and/or applying baking soda as above, mix warm water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Then apply with a rag in a blotting fashion or with a spray bottle.

Place something heavy on the stain and allow it to soak up. Undiluted vinegar can also be used to wash urine off of hardwood floors - wash area, rinse with warm water, and dry immediately.Hydrogen peroxide: This is another great natural stain remover and works well for pet urine stains. Mix up a batch of this homemade pet stain remover by combining 12 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, ½ teaspoon of natural dish soap, and 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda. Using a spray bottle, apply the solution liberally to the stain and allow to air-dry completely, then vacuum up any remaining residue.Rosemary: This essential oil will help to deter your pets from re-staining the area, especially when dealing with carpeting or upholstery. Melt a bar of castile soap with equal parts rubbing alcohol and rosemary essential oil. Let the mixture set and then use to blot or spray the affected area. Store-bought natural pet stain remover productsWhen making homemade pet stain remover isn’t an option for you, there are some store-bought solutions you can try that can work very well.

In general, the best solution for removing urine from almost any surface so that it is no longer detectable by your pet (this is especially important for cats) is an enzymatic cleaner. These work because they are full of natural organisms that eat away odor-causing bacteria that exist in the stain. The most effective brand we’ve found is Nature’s Miracle.To apply an enzyme cleaner, follow these steps for best results:After blotting up as much excess liquid as possible - remember to treat all layers of the carpeting or upholstery - generously apply the enzyme cleaner, working from the outer edge of the stain inward. Be sure to apply enough of the cleaner to thoroughly soak all layers.Using a white plastic bag without printing to prevent ink transfer to the affected surface (turning a printed plastic bag inside out will often work), cover the entire area with the plastic.Add weights to hold the plastic down firmly over the entire stain. Books work really well. This will help to keep the area moist which is important if you want the good bacteria to thrive and do a thorough job.