Removing Pet Hair and Odor from Furniture and Keeping it Off!
Many times, we become so absorbed in our pets that we begin to absorb their messes too.
Companionship and unconditional love can’t keep pet hair and odor out of your home, but there are proactive measures you can take to ensure any stench steers clear. Whether your pet has had an accident on your carpet or has begun to shed hair all over your sofa, we have some full-proof methods that will keep your home smelling fresh, your furniture clean, and your pets deterred.
Identify the material: The way in which you clean your furniture will depend on what it’s made of.
- For manmade materials, start by scraping off as much of the stain as you can, then proceed to mix a quart of warm water, a teaspoon of liquid detergent and a tablespoon of ammonia together. Lightly scrub the area from the center of the stain outward, then rinse.
- For vinyl, acrylic, or cork materials as well as granite, concrete, slate and brick, scrape off as much of the stain as possible, then rinse with warm, soapy water.
- For carpet, remove any solids and use a carpet stain remover. If you don’t have any stain remover, try using one teaspoon of mild, non-alkali detergent and a pint of lukewarm water. Blot the stain until it disappears.
- For wood, gently scrape off any excess. Then use warm, soapy water to wipe the area.
- For leather, use a mild detergent or soap mixed with water after cleaning off any solids first. Dab the leather, and try to absorb as much of the stain as possible. To avoid watermarks, be sure to clean the entire area evenly.
Use natural deodorizers: Since some pets have allergies, using an un-scented and natural deodorizer throughout your house will absorb any odors. Putting baking soda or white vinegar into a cup will act as a simple air freshener for your home. White vinegar will also act as a deterrent for pets. Place these cups in inconspicuous corners of your home and let them work their magic.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum: It may take a lot of work, but vacuuming your furniture continuously will work to keep pet hair from taking over your home. Dry dusters and rubber brooms are also great tools that attract pet hair and keep it from spreading.
Find stain removers with odor-killing enzymes: Your local pet store is sure to have a variety of stain removal products that contain odor-killing enzymes. These enzymes feed off of the proteins in stains and leave your furniture stench and stain-free.
Keep citrus on-hand: Cats and dogs alike tend to find a citrus smells offensive, yet the fruit can make a home smell fresh. Find a citrus-scented aerosol spray or make potpourri using orange and lemon peels to keep your pets off of your furniture.
