Although pets are often the heart of the home, they can present problems for properties with certain flooring materials.
The ideal flooring types for homes with pets are vinyl and laminate due to their durability and water resistance properties. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t opt for other flooring materials. In fact, we see many homeowners with pets choosing carpet for their flooring.
As much as carpet is desirable for its aesthetics and comfort, there are some risks for households with pets. Both dogs and cats can drag dirt in from outside, quickly creating stains on carpeted floors, especially if the carpet is of a lighter color. On top of this, particularly young or old animals may have an accident indoors, and not only is this unsanitary, but the smell of animal urine has a tendency to linger within the home, so this must be addressed correctly.
In this blog post, we’ll look at whether professional carpet cleaning can be effective in removing pet odors and stains.
Will professional carpet cleaning remove dog urine?
Hiring a professional carpet cleaning team to remove the smell of dog urine from carpet is the best way to tackle the problem. Professional carpet cleaners will have a range of specialized tools, as well as extensive expertise, to produce the best results.
With that being said, a professional carpet clean will not always be able to completely eradicate the smell of dog urine. The effectiveness of the clean will depend on a few factors, which we’ll delve into later.
How to remove the smell of urine from a carpet
You may try to remove the smell of pet urine yourself using at-home cleaning solutions, but this is unlikely to be as effective as the work of a professional cleaning crew.
When booking a professional carpet clean with the aim of removing urine odors, you must specify this to the cleaning crew ahead of time. Depending on the severity of the case, a deeper clean may be required than a standard carpet clean, and the crew will need to come prepared and quote for their time accordingly.
For starters, professional cleaners may use UV lights or moisture detectors to locate areas where urine has penetrated the carpet, ensuring all affected spots are treated. If any spots are neglected during the cleaning process, the smell of urine will still linger.
The most common method for removing pet odors from carpet is using enzyme cleaners. These products are specifically formulated to break down the proteins and uric acid in pet urine, which are the primary sources of the smells. Depending on the severity of the affected area, the enzyme solution may be left to soak into the carpet fibers and padding for a period of time.
After an enzyme cleaner, it’s best to move on to hot water extraction, a form of deep cleaning where high-pressure hot water is injected into the carpet to loosen and dislodge urine particles and odor-causing residues. This is immediately followed by a powerful extraction that removes the water, cleaning solution, and dissolved contaminants. It’s important to rinse the area thoroughly afterwards, as any remnants of urine or cleaning agents can contribute to lingering odors.
Finally, specialized deodorizers should be applied to neutralize any remaining smells after cleaning. These products bind to odor molecules, eliminating them rather than simply masking the scent.
It’s important to note that although a professional carpet cleaning crew can often do a more thorough and effective job when removing pet urine odors from carpet, there are certain factors that may impact just how effective the process will be.
How effective is professional carpet cleaning at removing pet odors?
For the effective removal of pet urine odors, timing is crucial. Addressing the stain and smell quickly increases the likelihood of complete removal. Old, set-in urine stains may be more challenging to treat as they can crystallize and embed into the carpet fibers.
Surface cleaning will not eradicate odors from the padding, underlay, or subfloor, so if the urine has seeped through to these layers, they may need replacing to remove all remnants of the smell. This seepage is most likely to occur with older or particularly large instances, especially if you did not promptly attempt to soak up the urine.
Another factor impacting the effectiveness of a professional clean is the type of carpet fiber that’s affected. Some carpets are more porous and absorbent, making it harder to remove odors completely. Wool carpets, for instance, may retain smells more stubbornly than synthetic options like triexta and polyester, which have low water absorption.
Will professional carpet cleaning remove cat urine smell?
Cat and dog urine are very similar in nature, so the same advice applies here. Yes, professional carpet cleaning can remove the smell of cat urine, but the effectiveness of the process will depend on the abovementioned factors.
Will professional carpet cleaning remove pet stains?
Professional carpet cleaning is an incredibly efficient way to remove pet stains. The overall process is very similar to that of removing urine odors, however, the cleaning crew may use targeted stain-removal solutions specifically designed for pet stains, which break down organic compounds like proteins, fats, and pigments in urine, feces, or vomit. High-concentration treatments may also be applied directly to the stain to loosen it before deeper cleaning.
However, just like urine odors, the effectiveness of a professional carpet clean at removing pet stains can depend on a few factors:
- The cause of the stain – stains caused by pet feces or vomit are actually easier to remove than urine stains, due to urine particles crystallizing over time, causing tougher discoloration
- The age of the stain – older stains that have set into the fibers are harder to remove than fresh ones
- The carpet fibers – just as we mentioned above, natural fibers like wool absorb stains much deeper than certain synthetic fibers like triexta and polyester, making removal more challenging.
Despite being much more difficult to clean than hard flooring options, it is possible to enjoy carpet at home while having pets. The main piece of advice is to act quickly in instances of urine or other stains and contaminants. Soak up as much of the liquid as you can, and get a professional carpet clean booked for as soon as possible. This is the best way to ensure the most effective results.
Looking for a professional carpet cleaning service in Texas? Contact our professionals today!