/ IN THIS ARTICLE
01. Wash the Pet's Bed
02. Deep Cleaning
03. How to Clean a Smelly Dog Bed With Vinegar and Baking Soda?
04. Removing Pet Hair from Different Surfaces
05. Carpet Cleaning Tips
06. FAQ
7. Conclusion
Los Angeles is one of the most pet-friendly city in the United States of America. There are numerous activities, dog-friendly restaurants, cafés, and public spaces where you can spend time with your dog. Pets are considered family members in each household. However, the stain and smells are unavoidable especially if they are not properly trained. When this happens, it’s essential to homeowners to remove any pet stain and odors to keep their homes fresh and clean.
Moreover, it’s normal for pets to have unwanted odors. You can also expect to have a bit of messy sorroundings especially if your pet is frisky or playful. The best approach for removing pet stains depends on the affected surface. In this article, we have gathered our proven tips on how to get rid of pet stains and unpleasant odors.
1. Washing the Pet’s Bed
Hand Washing: First, soak the cover in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Then, gently scrub any stains using an old toothbrush and rinse until all the soap is gone.
Machine Washing: Place your dog’s bedding in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase. Put it in the washing machine with your dog blankets on a gentle cycle, use plenty of water.
Hand Wash or Machine Wash the Dog Bed Cover?: Hand washing is best for delicate dog bed fabrics. If your machine can handle bulky items, you can opt in washing the entire bed.
Washing Your Dog’s Bed on a Cold/Gentle Cycle: Use a mild, pet-safe detergent to protect your dog’s skin. After washing, let the cover air dry as much as possible to prevent mold. Hang it in a sunny spot if you can.
Sterilize in a Front-Load Washer and Dryer: For full sterilization, you can wash and dry the entire bed. Use hypoallergenic dryer sheets for added freshness. Make sure to follow the washing instructions on the bedding tag to keep it fresh and comfortable.
2. Deep Cleaning the Pet's Bed
Hiring a professional housekeeper is good since they are more trained especially when it comes to dealing with the mess of the pets.
What You’ll Need to Clean Your Dog’s Bed
- Vacuum cleaner (to remove dog hair, dust, dirt, etc.)
- Enzyme cleaner (for stains)
- Large tub or basin (big enough for the bed)
- Baby laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- Soft scrub brush
- Clean towel
- Toothbrush
Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide
Step One: Vacuum the Bed
Start by vacuuming the bed thoroughly. Use vacuum attachments to get into the tight spaces between the padding and seams. Make sure to vacuum the entire bed, including the bottom and sides. If you find any dog hairs tangled in the fabric, use a brush to loosen them before vacuuming again. Brushing also helps loosen other debris for a more thorough clean.
Step Two: Spot Clean Stains
Before washing or soaking, treat any stains on the bed. Use a pet friendly enzyme cleaner and a clean towel to spot clean stains from pet pee, drool, dirty paws, and mud. Follow the instructions on the enzyme cleaner bottle to effectively remove the stains.
Step Three: Soak in Warm, Soapy Water
Fill a large tub or basin with warm, soapy water. Use baby laundry detergent for a safe and gentle clean. Soak the bed for 10-15 minutes, pressing down on it every few minutes to help push out the dirt. If the water turns brown, replace it with fresh soapy water and soak for an extra 5 minutes.
3. How to Clean a Smelly Dog Bed With Vinegar and Baking Soda?
If you’re dealing with a foam dog bed, you’ll need to wash it by hand in a bathtub or large laundry sink. Removing urine smells can be a bit of work, but here’s how we do it:
Step 1: Washing the Bed
Fill a tub with water and add a small amount of pet-friendly mild detergent. Gently massage the foam bed to clean it. Rinse out all the detergent and refill the tub.
Step 2: Vinegar Rinse
Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the water and wring it through the bed. This helps to remove any remaining detergent and odors. Rinse out the vinegar and squeeze out as much water as you can. Let the bed air dry or place it in the sun to prevent mildew.
Step 3: Using Baking Soda for Odors
Before washing, you can use baking soda to remove unwanted odors. Sprinkle a noticeable layer of baking soda on the surface of the bed and leave it for several hours, keeping the bed out of your dog’s reach. Vacuum up all the baking soda along with any dog fur.
Why Use Vinegar and Baking Soda?
Both vinegar and baking soda are safe for dogs as long as they don’t ingest them. Baking soda neutralizes odors due to its alkaline properties, while vinegar helps to remove detergent residues and smells. Using them together — first baking soda, then vinegar — increases your chances of completely removing urine smells from the dog bed.
4. Tips for Removing Pet Hair from Different Surfaces
Adjust Your Tools Based on the Surface
When tackling pet hair, the surface type makes all the difference, according to Maggy Maid pet bed cleaning experts. For baseboards, they suggests using a soft brush attachment to prevent hair from blowing around. For carpet edges, around furniture, and stairs, a crevice or stair tool works best. During deep clean, move furniture to catch any trapped hair. Vacuum at least once every two to three days to keep hair from building up.
Focus on Pet-Frequented Areas
Our team advises pet owners to pay special attention to areas where pets spend the most time. We recommends a thorough deep cleaning every three to four weeks to keep these spots hair-free.
Cleaning Furniture
Certain areas of your home, like wooden, cloth, microfiber, or suede furniture, are better cleaned without a vacuum. For wooden surfaces, use a slightly dampened cleaning cloth with water or furniture polish. This helps capture hair instead of spreading it around.
For cloth, microfiber, or suede furniture, we suggests using rubber cleaning gloves. Simply wipe your gloved hand across the furniture to collect the hair. If you don’t have rubber gloves, a lightly dampened towel works as well.
Keeping Your Vacuum Clean
Preventing Odors and Clogs
After you’ve removed pet hair from your home, it’s crucial to clean your vacuum. Maggy Maid’s pet lifestyle expert, advises emptying the vacuum bag before it gets too full to prevent odors. Adding a tablespoon of baking soda to a new bag can help minimize smells. For bagless vacuums, empty the container after each use.
Regular Maintenance
Periodically clean your vacuum’s filter, hoses, and brushes to keep them hair-free and prevent clogs and overheating.
Grooming Your Pet
Between vacuuming sessions, regularly brush your pet to reduce loose hair. Bathing your pet can also help. Consult your vet about the best grooming schedule, shampoo, and any other treatments or diets to reduce shedding based on your pet’s breed and needs.
5. Cleaning Your Carpets
Carpet Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners
We know your pet is a beloved family member, but they can be tough on your carpets. Pet odors and stains are common issues for pet owners. Many ask us, “How do we get pet smells out of our homes?” You don’t have to choose between your pet and your carpet. Here are some tips to help you keep both your furry friend and your carpet in great shape!
Choosing the Best Pet for Your Carpet
If you’re considering adding a new dog or cat to your family, some breeds are better for your carpets than others. Smarter dog breeds are easier to train, which means fewer accidents on your carpet. Some of the most intelligent dog breeds include German Shepherds, Collies, Poodles, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers.
Generally, animals with shorter hair shed less, which means less fur on your carpet. Hypoallergenic breeds like Poodles and Terriers can be especially good for your carpets and can also help reduce allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vinegar and baking soda are two effective household products that are toxic-free for removing pet scents from your home. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the whole surface of carpets, rugs, and upholstery to absorb odors, then to be followed by vacuuming the surface. In a spray bottle, make a solution of water and distilled white vinegar. Wet the area with that mixture when sprinkling the baking soda for more effectiveness in removing stains and odor.
To clean up dried pet stains and feces on the carpet, use a mixture of water and vinegar, which neutralizes the ammonia in animal urine. Whatever you do, avoid using a steam cleaner since the heat may permanently retain the stain and pet odor.
Yes, vinegar and baking soda are the items that you can mostly see in your kitchen and it’s effective for any kind of usual stains and removing odors. In a spray bottle, make a solution of water and distilled white vinegar. Wet the area with that mixture when sprinkling the baking soda for more effectiveness in removing stains and odor.
Yes, it can be removed by washing them regularly. Washing them regularly helps to prevent awful odors and stains. However, you have to remind yourself as a pet owner that pets should not be taken to bathe daily, most especially cats. You must keep your dog and cats clean, but in order to remain on top of things, you must have a regularly planned appointment with their groomer or do it yourself. If you give your pet a bath at home, do it at least once every 1 to 2 weeks to keep them clean and to remove unwanted odors.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, cleaning pet stains and removing odor is a task needed to do all the time especially if you have more than one pet. It’s necessary to clean out their areas as well to maintain cleanliness and also for their health. Once the area has been cleaned, apply a high-quality pet odor neutralizer. If the area still looks stained after it has dried completely, use carpet stain remover.
If you will be needing help removing pet stains and odors, your best option is to call our professional cleaners from House Cleaning Los Angeles. We provide top-quality house cleaning services in Los Angeles and nearby areas.
