A lot of households have their own pets whom they consider as family. There are many kinds of pets families take care of, but the more common ones are dogs and cats. Who doesn’t love dogs and cats? Their fluffiness, their innocence, their loyalty, their funny antics – these traits you cannot simply resist.

And then you just discovered a rather unpleasant surprise — your beloved pet soiled your precious area oriental rugs once again. Pets can be unpredictable sometimes: no matter how well they are potty-trained. But it can be annoying of the fact that your pet would actually pee or poop – of all places – on your newly-bought antique rugs.

Of pets and carpets

It may be a fact that pets and carpets cannot co-exist. Unless you have fur-less pets (think Sphynx cat or a Xoloitzcuintli dog), you would be often stressed about your pet’s shedding and their fur getting stuck within your rugs or carpet’s fibers. The same applies to your pet’s potty issues.

For one, carpet and rug cleaning can be tedious. Simply vacuuming your Persian antique rugs it may not completely remove 100 percent of all dirt and the smell it leaves behind. However, you can remedy the stain once it occurs. Here are some tips in cleaning annoying pet stains.

Take action when stains occur

It can be easier to clean the carpet or rug if it is still “fresh”. Not a nice term to begin with, but at least you can get the idea. In such a case, you should do something about that stain immediately. Otherwise, it can leave a nasty stain and cause an unpleasant smell on your carpet or rug.

• Put paper towels or old newspapers on the soiled area and press firmly down into the rug or carpet. Repeat this step until enough liquid has seeped on the paper. Just be careful when using newspapers on a light-colored carpet as the ink may smudge on the latter’s material.
• Put another layer of paper onto the stain and press it hard using your foot for at least a minute. Make sure to wear shoes when doing this because you are dealing with urine.
• After doing the previous step, rinse the soiled area using clean water, making sure that the water is thoroughly absorbed by the carpet or rug fibers. Do the same paper blotting technique mentioned above, or you can use a wet vacuum to clean up the area.

When the stain has already set up

There are some unfortunate instances wherein you fail to notice the pet stain on your precious handmade rugs. Perhaps it had already been there for hours before you have noticed it. It can be harder to clean, but you can still do something about it. Here are some tips when cleaning dried pet stains.

• Determine where exactly the stained area on your antique rugs are. If you cannot easily locate it, use a black light. Once found, you can begin cleaning the stained area.
• There are different cleaning options you can choose from: homemade or commercial cleaners. The former can save you money and time from buying one from a store. At the same time, it is also as effective as commercial ones. You can use baking soda and vinegar mixture, dishwashing detergent, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia. If you prefer using commercial cleaners, make sure it is non-toxic for your pets.
• Use a wet vac carpet/rug cleaner to flush and remove the pet stains. You can find these machines in your local home improvement centers or rent one near you.
• Spray some odor neutralizers after cleaning the stained area. You can buy in your local pet stores.

Potty-train your pet

It is a good idea to potty-train your pet and lessen the occurrence of pet stains on your traditional rugs or carpets. There are various behavioral techniques you can teach your pets to avoid unpleasant carpet accidents in the future. Here are some potty training techniques for your pets.

• Put paper towels or any unused papers stained with urine and place them on your desired potty area (ex. Garden area)
• Use positive reinforcement on your pet. If he is a “good boy” because he finally peed out in the yard, reward him with treats or any other simple “gifts”. It may take some time, but it will be worth it.

Cleaning your carpets or rugs can be a heavy task, more so if it has unpleasant stains. You can follow the above suggestions or rely on professional cleaners to do the job. For your carpet or rug needs, there are many rugs on sale in Alexandria. Check one today!