When I was eight, I faced my first encounter cleaning dog poop indoors and seconds later, cleaning human vomit. It’s a memory etched in my mind alongside my breakfast that day.
Over the years, dealing with dog waste has toughened me up, and my knowledge in handling not just poop but also urine and vomit has expanded greatly. Through it all, one tool stands out: the reliable wet-vac.
Dealing with Feces
For solid poop, the solution is simple: pick it up and dispose of it while ensuring good ventilation.
The challenge lies in dealing with smudges and spills on carpets, which used to be a tedious task. However, I stumbled upon an effective technique when my brother’s dog left my car seat covered in diarrhea. Panicking, I watched him use a wet-vac to swiftly clean it up following these steps:
- Add a few inches of water to the wet-vac tank.
- Fill a cup with water.
- While dripping a bit of water from the cup onto the diarrhea, simultaneously vacuum up both the water and poop. This ensures effective cleaning.
- Repeatedly perform these actions until the area is spotless.
This method works wonders on both carpets and upholstery, suitable for handling vomit and poop as well. Dealing with urine, however, requires a different approach.
Combatting Urine Stains
Recently, I tackled fresh urine on the carpet using the wet-vac method. Initial vacuuming lifted a significant amount of urine, but not all. I then added a small amount of water to facilitate the removal without pushing it deeper into the fibers. Following up with traditional cleaning methods almost resolved the issue, but when it comes to urine, thoroughness is key.
Enzymatic cleaners work well for urine stains, penetrating deep into carpet fibers. In dry environments, ensure the area remains moist by covering it with plastic. Place an absorbent towel or diaper over the spot, applying pressure, and replacing it if saturated.
For old urine stains, identify them with a black light, dampen the area, and treat it similar to fresh stains with a wet-vac if necessary. An excess of ammonia from repeated soiling may hinder enzymatic cleaners’ effectiveness. In such cases, apply a solution of vinegar and water before re-treating with enzymatic cleaner.
Tackling Vomit
Swift action is crucial in cleaning vomit to prevent carpet discoloration due to acid content or food dyes. After removing solid particles, follow a similar cleaning process as for fresh urine stains.
Additional Tips:
- If a wet-vac is unavailable, use two cardboard pieces to scrape up liquid waste.
- For semi-solid waste, a large paper towel can help lift it as a whole.
- Allow time for enzymatic cleaners to work effectively without overly saturating the area. Multiple applications are better than flooding the spot.
- Avoid mixing chemical cleaners with enzymatic ones as it hinders enzymatic action.
- Rinse the area with a vinegar solution as a final step to eliminate any remaining residue.
- Never use detergent for pet stains as it can attract dirt and worsen the stain.
- Avoid using ammonia as it attracts pets back to the soiled area.
- Baking soda and water serve as an affordable and potent deodorizer.
- Consider options like doggy doors, pee pads, or diapers for managing accidents.
Do you have any tips for cleaning mishaps? Share your insights in the comments!
Explore more cleaning strategies:
- Six Homemade Solutions for Dog Stains and Odors
- Dogs and Cleaning: Essential Guidelines
- Protecting Your Floors from Your Dog’s Messes
- Effective Dog Stain and Odor Removal Techniques
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- Politeness towards Your Dog: A Win-Win Practice
Featured Image Credit: O_Lypa, Shutterstock
