Pets are part of the family, which means they’ll hang out when you’re having fun and sometimes make a mess or two on your carpet that requires a bit of cleanup.
If you’d prefer not to have a chemical-based stain remover in your home, there are all-natural alternatives you can use. You’ll find the right one for your pet’s mess and never have to use chemicals again.
1. Vinegar and Baking Soda Spray
You’ve probably seen people leave an open container of baking soda in their fridge. It erases any unpleasant odors, and it’ll do the same for your carpet.
Baking soda alone won’t be able to remove stains, though. It’ll just take away the smell. That’s where vinegar comes in. Vinegar is mostly used for stain removal in clothes, but it works just as well on carpets too.
The acetic acid in vinegar lifts stains from any material, and the baking soda will take care of what you can’t see. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and spray this mixture on stains.
2. Citrus Cleaner Solution
A good way to remove stains without vinegar is to use lemon or orange peels. Mixed with water and brown sugar, they’ll cleanse and purify your carpet.
Citrus works so well with stains that professional carpet cleaners use it every day. It helps them reach the padding and sub-floor that get ruined when pet messes are left on the carpet for too long.
3. Hydrogen-Peroxide and Baking Soda Mix
When urine dries, it forms solid crystals that are too small for the average eye to see. They cling to carpet fibers and keep the look and smell of the stain around.
Hydrogen-peroxide may be what you need for longstanding stains. It’ll break down those crystals and remove them from carpet fibers, so you can vacuum or dab them up with a wet paper towel.
Mix a half cup of hydrogen peroxide with a cup of baking soda for your first round of stain remover. Repeat as needed until the stain and smell are gone.
4. Dish-Washing Liquid Hot Water Bowl
Have you ever seen the dish-washing liquid commercials that feature animals covered in oil that are easily cleaned with the product? That same magic will happen with stains in your carpet if you mix dish-washing liquid with hot water. Blot the mix on the stain and then dab with a soaked rag. Continue until the stain has been removed.
However, dish liquid might stain your light carpet. Test on a patch behind or under furniture before using in high-traffic areas.
5. Vinegar and Water Blend
Fresh stains from bathroom accidents may not need any major mixes at all. Distilled white vinegar could be the answer to your problems.
While the stain is fresh, mix the vinegar with warm water. Dab as much of the stain as you can with a dry towel, then blot with the vinegar and water mix.
The vinegar will quickly separate the stain from the carpet before it ever has a chance to settle. If there’s leftover smell remaining, you can always break out the baking powder and let it sit in your carpet for 15 minutes before vacuuming.
6. Washing Soda and Dish Soap Combo
You probably already have washing soda in your home that you trust to clean your clothes. It can also be used on your carpet, along with dish soap.
Mix 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of washing soda and 1 teaspoon of dish soap to create this stain fighting combo. Dampen the stain with it and scrub with a brush to work it in.
Dry with a clean towel and vacuum the area. If the stain comes back within the next 24 hours, repeat as needed. That will mean the stain soaked into the bottom layers of the carpet and requires extra attention.
7. Diluted Ammonia Solution
Ammonia may seem like a chemical solution to avoid, but it’s actually a naturally occurring element that dissolves easily in water to form a liquid solution.
It’s used in many commercial carpet cleaners, but you can skip all the extra chemicals and get straight to the point with diluted ammonia at home.
One cup of ammonia mixed with a half-gallon of warm water will fight any stain as well as what people typically buy at the store. Make sure to ventilate where you clean by leaving a door or window open.
8. Cornstarch Sprinkling Mix
Cornstarch is usually used to thicken foods like gravies and soups, but it could also save your carpet. Mix it with milk to form a paste and work it into the stained area. Leave it alone until it dries, then vacuum.
The cornstarch will attach to any stain crystals that are stuck to your carpet fibers, so they’re easily removed with your vacuum. Don’t forget to let the mixture dry completely, or you won’t get the full effect.
Try Out Natural Homemade Pet Stain Removers
Your first attempt at removing stains with a DIY mix might not be what gets it out. Many factors affect how to fight a stain, like how long it’s been drying or the acidity of it.
If nothing works, call a professional. They’ll find a way to remove the stain without using the chemicals you’re trying to avoid.
