How to Get Pet Stains Out of Carpet

Pet stains in carpet can be a real beast, because even though we think they have been cleaned entirely, pets can still scent the areas where they have been doing their business, and it tempts them to continue using the area to pee or poop on. It’s a difficult cycle to get rid of, since pets are territorial by nature and once they have pooped or peed in an area and can still smell the remnants of a stain, they’ll continue “going” there. Getting rid of the stain entirely so not only YOU can’t smell it, but neither can your pets, can be a real challenge. Here is how to completely eradicate pet stains in carpet so they can’t be scented by anybody.

Whatever you’ve been doing to clean up the pet stains, if your pet is still pooping or peeing in that area, then it isn’t clean. If your cat continues to poop in the hallway, even after you’ve scrubbed and sprayed and shampooed, the stain is still alive and kicking, and you’ll continue to be cleaning up after your indoor carpet toilet user.

If the stains are urine-related, the stain may be set in the padding under the carpet, and the best thing to do is to replace the carpet padding. All your cleaning and scrubbing won’t eliminate the deep-set stains, and the problems will continue.

Clean stains as soon as they occur by blotting out the wet stains with a paper towel and picking up poop immediately before it dries and sprinkle baking soda in the area to soak up and eradicate odors. The longer you leave a stain, the more permission you are giving your pet to continue using the area. They will continue marking there if they can smell their own fresh urine or feces in the area. After using baking soda and the area has dried, use a carpet deodorizer on the area as well and vacuum as normal, then go over the area again with a washcloth with hot water to lift out any stain remnants.

Carpet cleaners are great for picking up stains, but steaming the carpet will only set the stain even worse, and make it that much more difficult to remove. Furthermore, using overly scented cleaning products, like vinegar or a scented shampoo, will likely actually encourage more pooping and peeing in the area from your pet, as now they have to cover the new scent with their own. Use odorless deodorizers so there is no scent left over that the pet will feel like they have to cover up again with their own deposits.

Replace carpet entirely that is so set with stains that it feels sticky and has that musty, stale salty smell of old feces and urine. The carpet by this time is so far gone that it will likely just be a permanent toilet, and not enjoyable in your home. You’re better off just starting fresh.

Make sure the litter box is always clean and ready for your cat, and place the litter box in their prime target carpet areas so they are more aware that the litter box is their toilet, not the carpet. When cleaning up stains, place the soiled paper towel you used to pick up pee or poop and place it in the litter box. This tells the cat that they are to use the litter box for their territory, as now their scent is in the box. For dogs, place the soiled towels outside near the door so they get the message as well. Pets pee and poop where their pee and poop is. It’s a training technique to give them that idea as to where they should be going.

Don’t punish your pets for going in the house. This tells them that they’re not allowed to pee or poop at all, not that they aren’t supposed to do it in the carpet. Pick up the stain, place the dog outside, or pick up the stain and place the cat in the litter box. Put the soiled paper towel next to the pet, where they will sniff their scent and then do their business again where they’re supposed to. It won’t take them long to get the picture.