Carpet Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners

Owning a pet comes with many perks but also many struggles. A big one is having to wave your nice carpet goodbye after your pet has made a mess out of it. 

It doesn’t have to be that way, though! 

You can have a pet and still keep your nice carpet in good condition by learning to properly care for it and preventing your pet’s accidents as much as possible. On that account, we’ve compiled the best carpet care tips for pet owners. And no, none of them require professional help. 

Let’s dive in!

1. Vacuum Regularly

Every pet owner is familiar with the nightmare that is shedding. If you don’t vacuum regularly, you’ll forget the actual colour of your carpet!

Also, the more you let the fur sit on the carpet, the harder it’ll be to remove it. That’s because the fur will settle into the carpet’s fibres as you step on it.

You don’t need to vacuum daily unless you have multiple hairy pets. It ultimately depends on how much your pet sheds. If you’re unsure, it’s best to vacuum every 2-3 days, as this best preserves your carpet.

You don’t need to be super harsh on the carpet or use steam. These will only deteriorate the carpet faster. Instead, regular gentle vacuuming will get rid of most fur. If there’s still some hair lodged in the fibres, you should use other gentle cleaning methods.

2. Use a Squeegee

A carpet squeegee is a product that should come with every furry pet. This lifesaver can remove all the debris stuck deep within the carpet.

Using a carpet squeegee is incredibly simple. Pull the squeegee across your carpet, similar to how you would squeegee a window. You’ll be surprised by how much pet fur and dust you remove.

For the best results, go slow and apply slight pressure. It would help if you also vacuumed before and after using the squeegee.

Alternatively, a lint roller can get all the hair and dust stuck in the carpet. However, a special carpet squeegee or scraper is ideal for high-pile carpets.

3. Clean Accidents Promptly

Messes are inevitable if you have pets. Your tiny friend is bound to spill something, get their paws dirty, or have an accident. This doesn’t mean you should live with the mess, though! Your carpet might stain, fall apart, or smell.

You should act quickly in case of an accident. Even if you’re unsure how to clean your carpet or require special care, removing the superficial dirt or mess can significantly improve the situation.

4. Always Have Paper Towels On Hand

You can’t clean messes promptly without paper towels. Whether you have a wet stain or a dry mess, paper towels are your best friend.

For starters, there’s no chance that paper towels will ruin your carpet, as they only serve to remove dirt. Moreover, they’re simple enough to use in a hurry.

Another exceptional choice is to use rags for carpet accidents. Not only are they the ideal replacement for paper towels, but they’re also more affordable and environmentally friendly.

In particular, microfiber rags are the best for carpets. They soak up all liquids while being gentle on the carpet fibers.

5. Be Gentle

Pet accidents rarely ruin carpets and rugs. The problems are caused by inappropriate cleaning methods and harsh chemicals.

To explain, many pet owners rely on home remedies, thinking they’ll remove tough stains and mask odours. These only temporarily remove the unpleasant smell and completely mess with the carpet pile.

Conversely, the most straightforward solutions are usually the most effective. Paper towels and water work wonders in removing stains.

6. Dry Liquid Stains Thoroughly

We all know the signature smell of a pet’s accident that is impossible to remove. It might even prompt you to get rid of the carpet altogether.

Well, if you understand the reason for the smell, you’ll completely avoid it. It’s simply the odour of wet carpet!

Even if you spill water and let it dry on your carpet, it’ll produce the most horrid smell. You can only imagine what pet accidents would smell like.

Fortunately, you can avoid the smell if you soak the spill off your carpet before it settles into the fibres. All you have to do is soak up all the liquid with paper towels.

Then, use a damp towel to dilute and remove any spill deep within the carpet. Make sure to gently dab the towel instead of rubbing. Lastly, soak off the excess water with more dry paper towels.

7. Get a Putty Knife or Spatula

Pet solid waste might seem easier to take care of. Yet, if you do it wrong, you’ll end up with an even bigger mess.

The one thing you must avoid is getting the waste to stick to the carpet fibers. You also need a simple way to remove the trash or dirt before it stinks up your whole house. In this case, look no further than a putty knife or an old rubber spatula.

Similar to how you would scoop up waste in a litter box, you’ll simply remove any mess or accident on your carpet. Then, if there are any stains left, clean them using wet paper towels.

8. Clean Your Pet’s Paws

Every pet owner probably has a lot of stains on their carpet with an unknown origin. The culprits are typically the tiny furballs! Even the most well-trained pets can cause a mess.

Prevention is the best treatment. Your pets don’t know how to clean themselves properly, so you should pay close attention to them.

So, Make sure to frequently clean their paws and behinds, especially after their outside time.

Wrapping Up

Knowing a few carpet care tips for pet owners can make your life a lot easier. Not only will you know how to deal with all types of accidents, but you’ll also prevent staining and increase the life of your carpets.

The most crucial thing to do in case of an accident is to act quickly. You must remove the mess before it settles into the carpet’s fibres. If you’re dealing with liquid, make sure to soak it all from the rug, as this will greatly reduce the odour.

Lastly, don’t forget that your furry friend is trying their best, but accidents are inevitable. So, take it lightly, and call professional carpet cleaners if needed.