If you have pets, then you're probably well aware of how easy it can be to end up with pet stains on your nice clean carpets. And sometimes, if you tend to have a busy, fast-paced lifestyle, it can be tempting to let those stains sit until you actually get the time to go back and clean them.
But here's the thing:
There are a number of reasons to avoid this classic pet-stain pitfall. In fact, cleaning up pet stains as fast as possible is the best method for preserving your carpets and decreasing your risk for all kinds of extra 'annoying' issues. And to be honest, you may want to call a professional to help you make it happen anyway.
Here are 6 reasons why.
Here's the cold hard truth of the matter. Pet stains are actually really bad for discoloring carpets for a few different reasons:
And worst of all, that discoloration can lead to you needing to replace the entire carpet-which can end up being extraordinarily costly.
For best results, get those carpets cleaned as fast as possible to avoid permanent discoloration.
Bugs and mites are no laughing matter, even on the best of days. But in addition to being pests, these little critters can also discolor your precious floor coverings in a very distasteful way.
See, these insects love to feed on the proteins and fats that are often found in pet urine and feces. When they excrete waste, it causes discoloration that can turn your carpets yellow, brown, or even black in the offended spots. Simply put, getting those carpets cleaned pronto is the best-case scenario for avoiding this type of issue.
We all know that pet stains smell bad, but here's the problem: the longer they sit, the worse they're going to smell. Eventually, they'll attract bugs and grow bacteria, and these things will only add to the offensive odor.
Do you remember how we mentioned that pet stains can actually damage the fibers in your carpet? Well, it's true: the urine and feces contained within pet stains contain enzymes that break down carpet fibers.
Furthermore: pet stains also contain ammonia and bacteria, and the longer they're allowed to live on your carpet, the more damage they'll do. Hence, why it's so vitally crucial to get pet stains cleaned up as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for pet stains to get really difficult to remove. Once they dry and set in, you can be looking at a situation where that stain may literally live on your carpet forever.
You generally have about 24 hours (or sometimes less) to remove a pet stain via DIY methods. After that time, you may need professional cleaning help to remove it.
We've already mentioned bacteria. The bacteria from animal waste can cause bad smells, and it sometimes even damages the carpet fibers.
But even worse, sometimes these bacteria can lead to illnesses. Animal waste can sometimes even lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases, which are basically diseases that are caused by germs that have the capability of spreading between animals and people.
In other words, this isn't the type of mess you want just 'sitting around' in your home. It's not just a matter of aesthetics-it's also a matter of health and safety.
DIY cleaning methods can sometimes work well enough to remove pet stains if they're deployed immediately. But here's the issue.
DIY cleaners aren't as strong or effective as professional cleaners. Plus, professional cleaning technicians (like us here at USA Clean Master) understand exactly what techniques, products, and equipment work best for different types of pet stains.
By contrast, it may be in your best interest to contact a professional cleaning service to help you manage pet stains, especially if you want to keep those stains from causing long-term damage to your carpet.
We here at USA Clean Master have cleaned thousands of pet stains out of thousands of homes and carpets, and we've come to understand that most homeowners end up relieved and happy when they hire professionals to take care of the issue.
DIY methods will only take you so far, especially with more advanced carpet pet stains. If you value the longevity and appearance of your carpet (and the sanctity of a fresh-smelling home), then you may want to consider having us out to give you a detailed bid and estimate.
At the very least, we can give you our recommendation for the best way to remove the stain and keep you from needing to pay for an entire recarpeting.