Strategies to Prevent Pet-Related Carpet Stains
Pets are an important part of many families. While they add a lot of love and joy to a household, they also introduce a lot of dirt and dander that can lead to more cleaning responsibilities. Carpeting, in particular, can take the brunt of pet related wear and tear. Whether you are dealing with pet accidents or simply the extra dirt and soil that a pet can track in, you can minimize carpet stains in a variety of ways.
Invest in Stain Prevention
You can use two methods to prevent pet stains on your carpet before they happen: choosing the right carpet type and investing in stain protection.
Carpet Upgrades
If you are already in the market for a new carpet, opt for carpeting that is made for pet-friendly homes. Carpets made from nylon fibers are often more stain-resistant than other fiber options, which in turn means these carpets are easier to clean. You can even find carpeting that is pre-coated with a stain protectant, which will keep pet stains from soaking deeply into the carpet and becoming permanent.
Protectant Options
You have other options if you aren’t planning to replace your current carpet. Stain protectant is applied before a stain has a chance to occur, and it can be applied to any type of carpeting. Protectant soaks into the carpet fibers and creates a barrier so that stains can’t be absorbed by the carpeting.
Although application frequency can vary by brand, a general rule of thumb is to have the protectant reapplied annually to ensure maximum stain repelling ability.
Manage the Hot Spots
Many stains occur over time from soil and pet dander buildup in the carpeting. The right maintenance and prevention techniques can cut down on pet-related dirt.
Hot Spot Protection
Most dirt and stains collect in specific areas, often around your home’s entrance or near the pet’s food bowl. Rugs work well in both of these areas to cut down on the amount of soil that is tracked onto the carpeting by your pet. Lift the rugs daily and shake them out. Then, make sure to vacuum both the rug and beneath the rug so soil and pet dander doesn’t collect under the rug.
Cleaning Regimen
To maintain a cleaner carpet, make a regular cleaning schedule and stick to it. Generally, you should vacuum at least once a week. If you have a long-hair pet or a pet that spends time outside, then you may want to increase the frequency of vacuuming to every two to three days. Frequent vacuuming cuts down on the amount of soil that can be ground into the carpet fibers, which reduces the chance for stains.
Plan for Deeper Cleaning
Even with protection and regular maintenance, stains and soil buildup will occur. You can treat stains with regular cleaning.
Professional Cleaning
Bring in a professional carpet cleaning service regularly to prevent soil buildup from becoming too severe. As a pet owner, plan to have your carpets professionally cleaned twice annually.
Your carpet cleaning service will have the equipment to get out any tough pet stains, like urine, and they will be able to remove the normal daily soil buildup from deep within the carpeting. You can even request a deodorizing treatment so the carpet will smell as good as it looks.
Spot Treatments
The right spot treatment will help you manage stains between carpet cleaning visits. Instead of buying something at the discount store, ask your carpet cleaning technician for recommendations. They can point you to the most effective spot treatments for your specific pet stain issues.
Even better, the treatments the technician recommends will typically complement the cleaners they use, so the quality of the spot treatments will match the quality you expect after a full professional cleaning.
Contact J.G. Carpet Cleaning, LLC, to schedule a cleaning appointment today.