There are a few different types of pet odors and each one can be a challenge to remove. Some pet smells are harder to get rid of than others because they’re absorbed into the carpet fibers. Other smells, like those caused by feces, can actually emit strong smells from the surface of the carpet.
The first step in getting your carpets clean is figuring out which type of odor you’re dealing with. There are three main categories of pet odors: animal, chemical, and environmental.
Animal smells are caused by pets shedding their fur or urine. To get rid of these smells, you’ll need to shampoo the area several times with a sulfate-free detergent and hot water. Make sure to rinse well and vacuum afterward to remove all the dirt and debris that was brought up along with the pet hair or urine.
Chemical smells come from things like paint, ink, or nail polish remover. To remove these smells, you’ll need to take steps to neutralize the odor source. For example, if the smell is coming from a paintbrush, put it in boiling water for a few minutes until the paint melts off. If the smell is coming from something else on the surface like an oil stain, pour vinegar onto it and wait 15 minutes before scrubbing it off with a cloth or sponge.
Environmental smells come from things like rubber tires, smoke detectors, or fertilizer stumps. These types of odors can
