Pet Owners Guide to Carpet and Upholstery Care – How to Keep Your Home Clean and Pet Friendly
If you have pets, you know how much love they bring into a home and with them they add character, warmth, and joy to our homes.
But with all the pleasure that comes from owning them can also bring added mess, wear, and tear into our home.
From shedding fur to unexpected accidents, carpets and furniture take a lot of abuse in a pet friendly household.
Here are a few simple tips to keep your home clean, fresh, and comfortable for both you and your furry friends.
Vacuum often (more than you think)
Pet hair, dander, and dirt get trapped deep in carpet fibres and upholstery. To stay ahead of buildup, hoover high traffic areas 2-3 times a week using a hoover with strong suction and ideally with a roller brush on as this helps release dirt and debris from the carpet fibres. A carpet grooming rake can also be used as this helps keep the carpet pile fluffy and loosens embedded pet hair from the carpet.
Tackle urine accidents quickly
When accidents happen, time is everything, here are some helpful tips to deal with urine stains.
- Blot (don’t rub) the stain
- Use paper towels, then place on something heavy to absorb the stain, repeat as necessary.
- If the urine has soaked into the carpet backing or the underlay/padding, professional carpet cleaning is recommended to ensure a thorough clean using powerful machinery and solutions.
- Avoid steam cleaning urine, heat can set the odour into the carpet.
- When it comes to wool carpets, time is critical. The longer pet urine sits, the more alkaline it becomes, posing a risk to delicate wool fibers. Prolonged exposure can lead to permanent damage, so it’s essential to act quickly to protect your carpet.
- For light odours, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly to absorb any unpleasant smells
- For stronger odours, spray a mild white vinegar and water solution, then allow to air dry (allow good ventilation by using a fan or opening a window)
For stubborn stains or lingering smells it’s always best to call in a professional, beware of shop bought stain removers as some contain bleach which especially on wool carpets causes permanent colour damage.
Don’t Forget The Furniture
Pets love lounging on sofas and chairs. Regularly vacuum upholstery and consider using pet-friendly throws or covers. A deep professional clean every 12 – 18 months helps remove fur, oils, and allergens embedded in the fabric.
Use Pet Safe Cleaning Products
Many household cleaners contain chemicals that can irritate your pets skin or paws. We always recommend and use non toxic, pet safe solutions for your peace of mind.
Schedule Routine Deep Cleaning – Let us handle the dirty work
At Carpetcare North East, we specialise in helping pet owners keep their homes fresh and clean. Our expert carpet and upholstery cleaning services are safe for your pets and powerful against odours, stains, and allergens. Call today to schedule your next Carpetcare clean and enjoy a cleaner, fresher home for you and your pets.
