Special
tips for pet owners from © The Carpet and Rug Institute
Do
you have a pet? About 70 million U.S. households do, and that’s
a 35 percent increase from 1988, according to the American
Pet Products Manufacturers Association. You can combat pet
odors and stains in many ways:
Vacuum
carpet more frequently to capture pet hair and dander from
your pet’s fur.
Use CRI Seal of Approval cleaning products that are specifically
designed for pet stains and odors.
Clean up new messes promptly and then follow the steps for
spot and stain removal outlined in the “Removing Spots and
Stains”.
Use small hand extractors for a quick cleanup of pet accidents
but remember that these quick clean ups don’t take the place
of periodic deep cleaning.
Have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months,
or more frequently if necessary.
Don’t use a steam cleaner when dealing with urine spots because
the heat will set the stain and the smell. Extracting the
spill with a wet-vacuum and rinsing with cool water will reduce
the odor. If necessary, call in certified carpet cleaning
firms that know how to remove pet stains and odor permanently.
If you do not have a Seal of Approval certified cleaner handy,
you can download CRI’s Spot Solver to learn how spots and
spills can be cleaned with common household solutions, such
as hot water with a little detergent, vinegar or ammonia.
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