How to Get Pet Stains Out of Carpet

Joe CruzJoe CruzUpdated: Feb. 28, 2023

Home remedies and products to clean your pet-stained carpet.

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Next Project
Time

A full day

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

If you are a lover of pets, whether it be cats or dogs, your four-legged family members are bound to have some accidents on the carpet. No need to panic — here's how to remove them. Read on for some home remedies and our favorite enzyme products.

Tools Required

  • Funnel
  • Soft-bristle brush
  • Spray Bottle
  • Vacuum

Materials Required

  • Baking soda
  • Dish soap
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • White vinegar

Project step-by-step (6)

Step 1

Act Immediately on New Stains

  • It’s important to take immediate action after discovering an accident.
  • Remove vomit or feces using a plastic bag.
  • Be careful not to embed anything further into the carpet fibers.
Never use hot water or a steam cleaner on pet odors and stains! The heat will set the stain in the carpet permanently.
Step 2

Blot, Don’t Rub

  • Lay three or four paper towels over the soiled area. Blot, don’t rub, putting pressure on the towels and pulling the moisture out of the carpet.
    • Note: Repeat this several times until the dry towels no longer absorb moisture. You may have to stand on the paper towel to get all the moisture out.

Step 3

Home Made Cleaners

  • Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and cold water in a clean spray bottle.

  • Or, mix 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water in a clean spray bottle.
    • Pro Tip: Add a few drops of unscented dishwashing detergent to the hydrogen peroxide/water solution for added cleaning.

Step 4

 Lifting the Stain

  • Spray a liberal amount of the cleaning solution to the stain so it soaks down into the carpet and pad.
  • Lay three or four paper towels over the sprayed area and blot. Repeat this several times until the dry towels no longer absorb moisture
  • Sprinkle baking soda directly on the stain. Spray more cleaning solution on the baking soda.
  • Use a soft-bristled brush to work the baking soda into the fibers of the carpet.
  • Let dry overnight and vacuum away the dried baking soda.
    • Pro tip: If the soiled area is dry, wet it with cold water and let it sit for 15 minutes before blotting.

Step 5

Enzyme Cleaners

Here are a few enzyme cleaners on the market that work well for pet stains and odor elimination:

Step 6

Wet Vac Carpet Cleaner

  • For dried and set stains, you may want to consider renting a Wet Vac Carpet Cleaner or Carpet Spot Cleaner & Stair Detailer from your hardware store or rental center. Even some grocery stores rent them. These machines deep clean the carpet fibers, drawing out particles and dirty water. Here are a few tips to help you get wax out of the carpet.
Originally Published: September 15, 2020