The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Before You Begin

Lift any solid matter from a fabric, carpet, or upholstery surface with a dull edge like a kitchen knife or scraper. Never rub a stain because it can make the stain larger and more difficult to remove.

While there are shelves full of commercial pet stain removers, you can easily make your own with the simple ingredients.

If a dry-clean-only garment gets stained, blot away urine stains with a white cloth or paper towel. As soon as possible, head to the dry cleaner and point out the stain. If you have upholstery that is vintage or silk, consult a professional cleaner for stain removal.

If you decide to use a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

How to Remove Pet Urine Stains and Odors From Clothes and Bed Linens

Flush With Cold Water Begin by flushing the area with cold water. Hold the wrong side of the fabric under a running faucet and let the full force of the water flush the urine out of the fibers. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Machine Wash With Laundry Detergent and Vinegar Launder as usual using the hottest water temperature recommended for the fabric and a heavy-duty detergent. (Tide or Persil are the highest-rated brands with enough enzymes to break apart the stain molecules.) Add one cup white distilled vinegar to the wash water to help reduce odor. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Soak Overnight in Vinegar-Water Solution If the stain is old and the odor is strong, mix a solution of one gallon of cool water and two cups of white distilled vinegar. Completely submerge the fabric and allow it to soak overnight. Wash as recommended above. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Tried But True Odor Remover In many parts of the U.S., clothing lines have become a thing of the past, but line drying items outside with the full force of the sun and air will also help get rid of odors.

How to Remove Pet Feces and Vomit Stains on Clothes

Fresh pet feces and vomit stains should be treated as soon as possible.

What You'll Need

Supplies

Water

Oxygen-based bleach

Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent

Tools

Water faucet

Dull knife or scraper (for solids)

Soaking basin

Washing machine

Soft-bristled brush (optional)

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Remove Solid Matter Begin by removing as much solid matter as possible with a dull edge like a dull knife, spatula, or plastic scraper. Do not rub the stains with a cloth because that will drive the stains deeper into the fabric fibers. If the stain is dried or old, scrape or brush off any crusted matter. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Flush Under Running Water Once the solids are removed, hold the wrong side of the stained area under a cold water faucet and let the stream push the stain out of the fibers. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Water Temperature Matters Never use hot water at first. Just like boiling water cooks an egg, hot water starts to cook the protein that is in the stain; this sets the stain and makes it harder to remove. Soak in Oxygen-Based Bleach Solution Mix a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach by following package directions. Mix enough so that the entire item can be submerged. Allow the stained item to soak for at least four hours or overnight. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Machine Wash and Dry Machine wash in the hottest water recommended for the fabric with a heavy-duty detergent. Check the stained area on a garment before drying it. Never place a stained item in a hot dryer. Instead, repeat the stain-removing steps until the stain is gone.

How to Remove Pet Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

Animals can sometimes have accidents on your best home furnishings. The key to removing the stains and odor is to treat the stains as soon as possible. Accidents left untreated can permanently discolor carpet and upholstery fibers.

Most of the same cleaning solutions and techniques used on clothes can be used to remove pet stains from carpet and upholstery. Since you cannot run carpets and upholstery under running water, the cleaning methods have been modified. Extra care must be taken to avoid over-wetting upholstery because it is difficult to remove moisture from the cushions and padding, and that can lead to the formation of mold and mildew.

What You'll Need

Supplies

Water

Distilled white vinegar

Baking soda

Hydrogen peroxide

Tools

Paper towels or white cloths

Dull knife or scraper

Spray bottle (optional)

Soft-bristled brush

Wet/dry shop vacuum (optional)

Conventional vacuum

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa