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Dogs can cause many stains. While enzymatic, commercial solutions may work best for deep-set stains, you can often get away with a homemade solution. While these are effective, it’s important to remember that they don’t always work. If the first homemade solution you try doesn’t work, consider trying a different one.
Test out any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the stain. You don’t want it to cause discoloration. While this does not often occur with natural cleaning solutions, it absolutely can.
We’ll list several homemade remedies for dog stains below, including some directions on how to use them.
Key to Successful Cleaning
As pet parents, the last thing we want in our home is lingering odors or stains from the inevitable accidents our pets have. Additionally, dogs’ sensitive noses can pick up on odors that humans can no longer smell and open opportunities for repeat accidents. Homemade cleaners are often seen as more gentle and generally more pet-friendly but are not usually tough enough to break down the compounds in urine that dogs and can detect once cleaned. An all-natural enzyme cleaner is effective in neutralizing the toughest of odors and the most set-in of stains.
Of course, you should also choose a high-quality enzymatic cleaner. We highly recommend selecting one that isn’t full of artificial smells, as these tend to only cover up the smell. You also want one that’s safe to use on your floors, of course. Carpet can be much different from hardwood.
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The 4 Homemade Remedies for Dog Stains & Odors for Pee, Poo & Puke
1. Baking Soda
The simplest homemade cleaning solution only requires baking soda. That’s it! Start by blotting the stain to remove as much of the excessive mess as possible. This method works best on stains that are still wet. If a stain has already dried, you may want to wet it again with a bit of water.
After the spot has been blotted, sprinkle baking soda generously on the area. Leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight, preferably) to absorb any moisture and odors. Then, vacuum it up thoroughly. The spot should be gone, and the area less smelly.
2. White Vinegar and Water
As you might guess, this method requires white vinegar and water. Mix equal parts of both substances into a spray bottle. Vinegar can discolor some fabrics, so test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric or carpet first or try a more diluted solution, mixing one part of vinegar in four parts of water. If the test area is fine, you can spray the affected area with the solution.
Ensure you spray it enough to dampen the whole area. However, don’t soak it—you want to minimize as much of the vinegar smell as you can.
Blot up the liquid with a clean cloth. No need to let it sit or anything of that sort. Once you’ve gotten up as much liquid as possible, let the area dry completely.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
You can also use 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a stronger cleaning solution. Never use full-strength hydrogen peroxide, as it can cause bleaching and will discolor fabric and carpets. You should be extra-certain to test this solution, too.
Dilute the hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle by adding double the amount of water to hydrogen peroxide. After testing the solution, lightly spray the affected away with the watered hydrogen peroxide until it is damp.
Next, sprinkle the baking soda on the dampened area and let it sit for at least an hour. If you can, we do recommend letting the baking soda sit overnight, though.
Finally, vacuum up the baking soda and let the area dry completely if it isn’t already.
4. Club Soda
If you have club soda lying around, it can be effective for fresh stains, especially urine accidents. Before adding the club soda, blot up as much of the mess as you can with a clean cloth. Next, saturate the whole area with club soda. You want it drenched for this method to work well.
Let the club soda sit for around 10 minutes and then scrub the area. Next, blot up all the liquid with a clean cloth. Allow the area to dry completely, and it should be cleaned.
Keep in mind that this method is one of the least effective. However, it requires no preparation and does work well on some stains, so it can be an easy option in some cases.
Conclusion
There are tons of different at-home cleaning solutions for dog stains and odors around the house. These have varying degrees of effectiveness, depending on your flooring and the exact stain. Sometimes, you may have to try more than one solution for a complete cleaner, especially if you aren’t using any enzymatic cleaners.
These are often less effective than commercial cleaners. After all, they aren’t specially designed in a lab. However, they can be easily created using what you have lying around, and time is of the essence when you’re cleaning stains.
Trying one of these homemade options may be easier and faster than running out to purchase an enzymatic cleaner. If you can at all manage it, purchase an enzymatic cleaner for the next accident. They work a lot better and are completely safe to use around your home.
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Featured Image Credit: VGstockstudio, Shutterstock
