First Things First
Surround with Vinegar
Melissa Maker, host of YouTube’s CleanMySpace channel, is also a big fan of enzyme cleaners when it comes to pets’ pee stains since you can typically find an enzyme cleaner that’s tailored to your specific pet and the specific stain itself, she says. Additionally, Maker will spray vinegar around the area once the enzyme treatment is finished. “This tends to help reduce the odor further, and pets typically don’t like the smell of vinegar,” she says.
On the Couch
Vinegar can work as a stain remover all on its own, too. (And while you may not love the smell, it’s far better than the stench that stain is leaving, right?) For couch stains, Kaye will saturate the area with white vinegar and then blot continuously until it’s soaked up. “Vinegar is much more effective than water, and the acidic nature is especially good for cleaning up any really smelly messes,” she says. If the couch is made of a delicate fabric, she suggests diluting the vinegar with water and testing on a corner of the couch first.
Carsick Pets
If your pet is prone to getting carsick, baking soda is your new best friend. Kaye will sprinkle baking soda on the spot in the car, let it sit overnight and then vacuum it up. The beauty with this trick is that it works even if you’ve forgotten about the stain a few days after the fact, she says.
Stained Toys
Stained pet toys are a notorious source of pet odors, says Maker. For plush toys, she suggests placing in a delicates bag and laundering with a gentle scent-free, dye-free detergent. For plastic toys without batteries, soak in a bucket filled with hot water, a squirt of dish soap and a cup of white vinegar for 20 minutes. Use a cloth to wipe down the toys, run under cool water to remove the suds and then air dry, she says.
Seeing Red
For any blood stains on upholstery or carpet caused by scratches or cuts, Kaye suggests keeping a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand. “If the stain is on carpet, test in a corner first to make sure it doesn’t bleach the color out,” she says. “Then, spray right on the stain.”
Slobber Solution
As any owner with a slobbery dog can attest, discovering new slobber stains are a regular occurrence. “It’s simple enough to clean, but the challenge is staying on top of it,” says Maker. Maker recommends a mixture of one part vinegar to one part water and a teaspoon of dish soap. “Spray on the slobbery surface and allow the solution to break the slobber up, then wipe away with a soft cloth a moment or so later,” she says.
