We all love our furry friends, but pets have an unmistakable odor that can linger in a property. When pets have accidents indoors, the smell becomes even more intense. If you want to sell a home or prepare the property for new tenants, you may be interested in learning how to get rid of the pet urine odor.
Finding the Source of Pet Odor
First, you need to figure out where the pet smell is coming from. Begin by walking through each room and looking for apparent stains. If you can’t identify the source that way, use other clues. Maybe your allergies act up more in some rooms, indicating more pet allergens. Or you might notice the smell becomes stronger or know that a pet prefers to sit in a particular room.
Smells often linger on carpets or couches. It can also stink up your bedding if your pet frequently sleeps there.
Different Types of Pet Odors
How long does a cat or dog’s scent stay in a house? It can last for months or even years, depending on the type of odor. The different kinds include those that come from:
- Dog or cat urine.
- Litter boxes.
- Pet beds.
Tips for Reducing the Smell of Pet Odor
While you probably won’t be able to get rid of pet smells entirely without professional assistance, you can take steps to reduce the odors, including:
- Vacuum: Vacuum your rugs at least twice a week. Before you begin, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for up to half an hour. Then vacuum it away for a fresher scent.
- Launder bedding: Wash your bedding as well as animal beds at least once a week. Consider using a fabric softener with a strong scent to mask pet odors that build throughout the week. Make sure the detergent you use is safe for pets.
- Care for the litter box: Sweep up any spilled litter around the litter box daily and change litter regularly, before it starts to smell. Baking soda can work wonders here, too. Sprinkle a little in the bottom of the box before adding litter.
The toughest challenge is removing pet urine. Let the spot dry, and then use a wet vacuum cleaner — not a steam cleaner — on the stain. Then spray on a pet odor neutralizer, following the directions on the spray. If you notice the area continues to stink, you may need to pull up the carpet and clean the floor pad, which may have also been saturated by urine.
Don’t use vinegar to clean up pet urine. The smell may encourage pets to return to the spot and pee again.
Residential Cleaning Services in Chicago
Need to clean up your home or rental property? Removing pet odors is a lot easier when you enlist a professional. ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park offers affordable services that can improve the smell of the home. Call us at 773-346-6767 today to set up an appointment.
