How To Clean Dried Cat Urine From Carpet Uk

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Over half of UK adults own a pet, according to veterinary charity PDSA, and it's easy to see why. They keep us company, encourage exercise, and let's face it: they're just really cute.

The pandemic saw a massive surge in pet ownership, with a staggering 3.2 million households getting a pet during this time, according to research from the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association. Its figures show that there are now 34 million pets in the UK, with 12 million cats and 12 million dogs helping make up that number.

But while we love our playful pals dearly, cleaning becomes more of a challenge when you have pets. Whether they trail in mud after a walk or disregard their litter tray, our furry friends can leave some not-so-desirable stains around our homes.

Fear not, having a pet and having a clean, hygienic home don't have to be mutually exclusive. Here's our expert advice on how to get rid of common pet stains and smells.

Pet hairs on upholstery

It doesn't seem to matter whether or not you ban your pets from sitting or sleeping on the furniture; somehow their fur always ends up on there anyway.

To get rid of unsightly pet hair, always start by vacuuming using the upholstery attachment, then switching to the crevice nozzle to vacuum up fur from between seat pads and other tricky-to-reach spots. Vacuum other soft furnishings including sofa cushions and upholstered footstools while you're at it. For great pet-hair removal, The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute scored a nearly perfect 99/100 in GHI tests!

If you find any remaining pet hair, it can be removed by wrapping your fingers in sticky tape (sticky side out) then sweeping your fingers over the affected areas. Another great trick is to put on a rubber glove then sweep your hand over soft furnishings to collect up pet hair. Spray with an anti-bac spray and brush with a lint roller.

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Removing cat urine and dog urine

Whether they're marking their territory or have just had an accident, pet urine is a stain no-one wants to deal with!

It's a tough one, but with a bit of effort, you should be able to remove the stain, and the smell.

On carpet, flush the affected area with cold water and blot until nearly dry. Sponge with a proprietary carpet cleaner, such as BISSELL Spot & Stain Pet Formula. Rinse well with cold water containing a few drops of disinfectant. Blot to dry.
On a mattresses, sponge with a cold solution of washing-up liquid or upholstery shampoo. Wipe with cold water containing a few drops of disinfectant.
On non-washable fabrics, remove fresh stains by sponging with a vinegar solution (15ml vinegar to 500ml water). Dried stains should be cleaned professionally.
On washable fabrics, rinse the stained area with cold water, then soak overnight in a solution of biological detergent. Machine-wash as normal.
On hard wood surfaces, apply white vinegar to the affected area. My Pet Needs That recommends adding a fragrant oil such as lavender to the white vinegar solution to eliminate smells.

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How to remove that cat urine smell

The smell of stale cat wee can be particularly difficult to get rid of. This is because the uric acid crystals and salts in cat urine are insoluble and bond tightly with any surface they land on, making them very resistant to regular household cleaning agents. If any type of moisture gets on the crystals, they are activated and release that 'tom cat' aroma.

The only way to completely get rid of the smell is with an enzyme-based cleaner designed specifically for pet urine. These usually also come with a special ultraviolet light torch that can show you exactly how far your pet has sprayed. There are lots of brands available - ask a vet or pet supply store which one they recommend.

Sometimes, it's not only the odour that lingers. Pet owners also commonly search Google for why stains reappear. According to My Pet Needs That, if a stain reappears, it is likely that the substance has penetrated the carpet fibres and has moved to the pad of the fabric. This is often the result of using a steamer, so always avoid using one when you initially clean pet stains.

How to remove muddy paw marks

For mud on the carpet, apply Lakeland's White Wonder and allow it to work for a few minutes. Blot with lightly dampened paper towels. Repeat as necessary until the stain has been removed. Rinse with clear water and blot dry.

Alternatively, use the Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover to remove mud from carpets. Apply to the stain, leave for 3 minutes and then remove all residue with a damp cloth.

Pet stain busters

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute

Dyson amazon.co.uk

£464.99

Golden Swan White Vinegar 5L

Golden Swan amazon.co.uk

£8.69

Dr Beckmann Carpet Cleaner

Dr Beckmann amazon.co.uk

£6.85

BISSELL Spot & Stain Pet Formula

BISSELL amazon.co.uk

Lakeland White Wonder Stain Cream

lakeland lakeland.co.uk

£4.99

OXO Good Grips FurLifter Lint Remover

lakeland lakeland.co.uk

£13.99

Marigold Cleaning Me Softly Scourer

Marigold amazon.co.uk

£1.25

Plenty The Original One Kitchen Rolls

Plenty amazon.co.uk

£6.45

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