Usually with the advent of any holiday when there will be a large gathering of family and friends, our cleaning mode is in high gear. 

After having so many cats in a house with wall-to-wall carpeting, wool berber and synthetic deep pile, the next redecorating episode will include new flooring preferably wooden floors and ceramic tile.  But like many homeowners you don’t want to incur the expense until it is absolutely necessary. 

Now, certain stains from pets can be removed if you act quickly, that is if you are aware of them.  However, there is always a corner, or under the bed, couch or some place not involved in your daily cleaning routine that can hold a surprise such as an upchucked hairball, barf, or feces.There are excellent products on the market to aid in the removal of same; but,  Markdown Mom has found that if any liquid product is applied too soon, it can often make the stain worse.   Here are a few tips to help rid your carpets or rugs of these pet stains:

• Remove any dried material by scraping the surface with a spoon or  butter knife.  Usually if the material has dried, it is easier to get up than if it is still in liquid form.
• Take a cleaning scour pad (above photo) to the spot if a shadow of the stain remains on the carpet.  The cleaning ladies hosts of the BBC’s How Clean Is Your House, have used sandpaper to get up paint and other hard to remove materials.  Markdown Mom has found that the scour pads for  cleaning teflon-coated pans work very well and are less abrasive.  Do not wet, use them dry and remember do not rub back and forth, unless you don’t care how the nap will be affected.  These cleaning scour pads are also great for getting in the corners of carpets and upholstery and picking-up pet fur and hair.
• Work from the outside of the spot to the inside.  This is a good practice not only when using the scouring pad, but also when you apply any liquid to the spot.
• When working with a wool carpet, use a steamer on the spot and block with white paper towlette to get up the moisture.  Be careful not to oversoak any carpet because you can damage the jute.
• After  following these steps, then apply cleaning soap such as Resolve® Carpet Cleaner.  Do not apply an ammonia-based cleaner to wool carpet!  Do not rub back and forth, go from the outside of the spot in one direction inward.
• Remove all soap residue by rinsing with water.  This does not mean hosing the spot.  Take a white rag, dip it into clean water, dab the surface, and remove excess moisture with another white rag or paper toweling, pressing firmly.
• To avoid shrinkage, place a white rag or plain white paper toweling over the spot and weigh it down with a book.  Change the damp cloth or toweling frequently.
• If there is a shadow left from the stain, try a mixture of white vinegar and water  and dab the spot–this is good only for light carpets since it acts as a lightening agent.  Be sure to test for color fastness in an inconspicuous spot. 
• Be sure to spot your carpet before any attempting a complete carpet cleaning of a room. 

Unsure about other stains and for more tips, contact the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

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