Pet Stains

My puppy got sick on the carpet - I have tried to clean it up with pinesol, bleach, vinegar, febreeze and baking soda but with no luck. Help - what should I do?

Mom of Sick Puppy

I feel your pain. Pet stains are some of the hardest to get rid of and if you have a pet, chances are you have dealt with this problem - successfully or not. One of the trickiest things about pet stains is that if you don’t completely remove the stain - odor and all - your pet will keep going back to the same spot. Also, a lot of the commercial “pet stain removers” don’t really work that well.

Here is a technique to try to get out these most stubborn of stains:

For fresh (ie, still wet) stains: 1. Remove any excrement and blot the entire wet area immediately and firmly with a clean, white, absorbent towel or cloth until all liquid is absorbed. If you can, place newspapers underneath area as well. 2. Pour a small amount of liquid detergent onto the cloth or towel and rub stained area with just enough firmness to remove the stain. 3. Mix together 1 quart warm water and 1/2 cup white vinegar and slowly pour the mixture onto the stain. 4. Place several clean, dry, white towels over the stained area and press frimly on towels to absorb excess moisture. Place books or other heavy objects over the area for 4 to 6 hours, then remove the towels. For old stains:1. Mix 1 tbsp. neutral detergent (mild, non-alkaline, non-bleaching) into 1 cup warm water and slowly pour the mixture onto the stain or odor area. Blot the area with a clean, dry, white towel. 2. Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water and pour onto the stain or odor area and blot the area with a clean, dry, white towel. 3. Mix 1 tbsp. neutral detergent with 1 cup warm water and slowly pour onto the stain or odor area. Blot with a clean, dry, white towel. 4. Dribble clean water onto the area. and finally blot again with a clean, dry, white towel.