Have you ever had a day where your dog has an accident or your cat leaves behind some hairballs? It is not always easy to clean up after a pet mess, but if you know what to do, it will be easier. This blog post discusses how to clean up messy pets and make the process as stress-free as possible.
1. How to clean up after a pet that has an accident
Pets can sometimes get sick and leave behind stains. Some of these stains are harder to clean up than others, but there is always a way to make it work. First you should blot the area with paper towels or even toilet tissue until most of the liquid comes out (don't rub). As soon as possible after this, you should put some baking soda on the area. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then vacuum up all of the powder that was left behind.
If this doesn't work, you could try using a cleaning product like Nature's Miracle to get rid of stains or Odor Destroyer to cover any smell.
2. Understanding your pet's messes
Most messes that pets leave behind are caused by shedding or excess oils. These can be easily taken care of with a good vacuum cleaner and some baking soda, but it might take multiple times to get rid of all the stains.
If your pet has an accident on furniture, you should immediately clean off as much urine as possible before it soaks into the fabric. It is much easier to clean up a small accident than it is to do laundry and dry-clean everything in your house after it has soaked through.
To make sure you are ready for any messes, keep paper towels or rags on hand at all times so that they can soak up as much liquid as possible before
3. Cleaning up the mess - what you need and how to do it
What you need:
Bowls to hold water and baking soda Paper towels or rags Nature's Miracle, Odor Destroyer, etc. Vacuum cleaner. There are various vacuum cleaners that you can find online best to clean the mess of your pet. Do your research and compare the products to buy the suitable vacuum cleaner for your home.
How to clean up the mess:
Pour a bowl of warm water and add some baking soda (about half a cup). Dip your paper towels/rags into the water and start cleaning up the mess. Keep adding baking soda as you go along, but don't overdo it (you may need to discard some of your towels with excess powder on them). Once most of the liquid is gone, dry off any remaining wetness using more paper products or rags.
Once everything has dried out, vacuum up any leftover baking soda and give the area a final wipe down with paper towels.
4. Tips for reducing future accidents
Here are a few things you can do to avoid future accidents:
Scoop your cat's litter box every day. This will reduce the smell and won't attract him/her back if they happen to have an accident outside of their box. Wash all bedding, towels, etc., that may be carrying pet odors with detergent and baking soda. Be sure to wash them at least once a week, but more often is even better if you have pets that are prone to accidents or hairballs. Keep your pet's nails trimmed short so they can't scratch up the furniture as easily (this also reduces their need to mark), and don't let dogs jump on/off of your furniture.
If you find that your pet continues to have accidents, consider taking them to the vet or hiring a dog walker while you are at work during the day so they can't get into anything else.
5. Preventing pets from getting into trouble in the first place
Cats and dogs are curious animals, so it is important to make sure you take all precautions to keep them out of trouble.
If your cat has an accident on the carpet, try putting double-sided tape down first (the sticky side facing up). Cats don't like walking on something that feels that way under their paws, so this should keep them away.
Keep an eye on your dog when they are playing outside so that you don't have to clean up any accidents later. If you find a mess in the garden, pick it up with paper towels and hose everything down immediately to avoid fertilizer burn or stray seeds growing where they shouldn't be!
Summary:
If you have pets, it is important to be proactive about cleaning up messes. This means keeping pet-specific cleaners on hand at all times and taking steps to prevent future accidents from happening in the first place.
If you have an accident that can't be cleaned right away (e.g., if your dog has an accident inside while you are out), make sure you soak up as much liquid as possible and keep vacuuming the area to pick up any leftover excess moisture. Once everything is clean, try putting double-sided tape down or setting out some water bowls with baking soda in them (cats don't like walking on anything sticky).
Remember that it takes multiple times to completely get rid of a smell, so don't give up after the first attempt!.