how to keep your home smelling fresh with pets

Bringing a puppy into your home can be a wonderful experience, but you may not be fully aware of the various tasks necessary to ensure your pet is healthy and happy. From feeding and grooming to training and exercise, these tasks can become overwhelming. Considering puppies under 12 weeks of age do not develop bladder or bowel control, your new family member may go to the bathroom on the carpet in your home. While these accidents are common, proper cleanup is essential for removing odors and preventing the possible spread of bacteria.

While surprising to hear, your new puppy's feces may contain numerous parasites and bacteria that may affect your home and family's underlying health. Harmful hookworms, tapeworms, threadworms, and campylobacteriosis are all common in your dog's fecal matter, so learning the best options for cleaning up after accidents is imperative. Using these natural solutions, you can remove stains, odors, and harmful bacteria from your carpet after your puppy's accident.

Vinegar Solution

If possible, blot up leftover liquid using paper towels immediately after your puppy's accident. In addition, pick up bulk fecal matter using toilet tissue. Wrap the waste in a plastic bag before disposing of it in a trash can.

To remove stains and odor while killing bacteria, add the following to a spray bottle:

• 2 cups of warm water
• 2 cups of white vinegar

Shake your bottle to mix before dousing the stain with the solution. Allow the vinegar solution to sit and soak the carpet fibers before blotting the liquid up with a microfiber cloth.

Vinegar contains 5 percent acetic properties, which are naturally antibacterial and antiviral. Using the vinegar solution on your carpet will prevent bacteria and parasites from affecting your carpet and home.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, creates carbonation when it encounters moisture on a surface. This bubbling and fizzing will eat through tough debris, dissolving away stubborn residue and discoloration. While strong enough for cleaning and deodorizing, baking soda is also gentle to use on carpet fibers and around your family and pets.

After blotting up leftover liquid and removing fecal matter, sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda directly on the stain. Pour a capful of hydrogen peroxide on the same area and scrub the carpet using a microfiber cloth. Allow to dry before vacuuming to fluff up the carpet fibers.

It is important to note that the hydrogen peroxide has bleaching qualities that may affect colored carpets and rugs. Use the combination on white, cream, beige, or light tan to prevent bleach spots.

Brown Sugar

Even after cleaning with vinegar or baking soda, odors may still be present. These odors may attract your puppy, enhancing their need to use the bathroom in the same spots. Thankfully, you can remove these strong odors using brown sugar and citrus scents.

Make this natural deodorizer a few months in advance to ensure you have it on hand when your puppy has an accident. In a covered container, combine the following:

• ½ liter of water
• 6 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 cup of lemon, lime, or orange peels

Place the lid on your container and shake the ingredients. Store the container at room temperature for a few days.

After blotting away your puppy's urine and removing fecal waste, pour a few tablespoons of the brown sugar and citrus cleaner on the carpet. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the area. Allow it to dry into the carpet. Vacuum after it dries to fluff up your carpet.

Training your new puppy can be stressful, but the process should not damage your carpet or affect your family's health. Using these cleaning solutions, you can remove odors, stains, and harmful bacteria from your carpet and rugs after your puppy's accident. 

If these methods don't seem to fully clean your carpet, you may want to hire professionals from a company like Southwest Chem-Dry.