Odors Be Gone

To remove stains from the carpet, there are several solutions which will work.  For simple stains like spots, a little vinegar on a damp cloth will get it out.  For a deeper stain from soda or juice, a carpet cleaning product such as Resolve or Nylac will likely be necessary.  If you don’t happen to catch a stain right away, it becomes much harder to remove.  In addition, some stains will have a lingering odor even if you remove them, such as pet stains.  Normal stain removers will not get the odor out, and you will need a stain remover designed to target the odor as well (typically available at pet stores).

Some stains from substances like coffee which have been in the carpet for a long time can’t be removed except by a professional steam cleaner.  This is the most expensive option, and should be a last resort.

Most people have their cat’s litter box in some out of the way location in the house.  Whether it’s the garage, the laundry room, or the seldom used bathroom, the odor can be overpowering, not to mention the occasional mess.  I live in a small apartment with my cat, so regardless of where I put the litter box, I smell it.  The cat urine odor seems most potent when I’m trying to sleep, and it often keeps me awake.  I’ve tried to use air fresheners or cover up the scent, but it seemed impossible. 

I talked to a woman at a pet store and told her about my problem, and she suggested I use an odor eliminator, rather than attempting to mask the scent.  Odor eliminators target the actual smell, and make it go away, rather than covering it up.  I bought a simple spray at the pet store, and since then, not only can I not smell my cat’s litter box anymore, but I sleep better at night.

There are a few techniques for removing stains from any kind of absorbent surface. However, carpet tends to be the most difficult surface from which to remove stains. Carpet stains tend to result in a permanent reminder of the Thanksgiving wine or your child’s infancy. But here are a few tips for getting stains out.

• Blot the carpet with a wet rag or paper towel, rubbing it only works the stain in deeper, the goal is to absorb all the liquid.
• If something stains the carpet, get it out immediately, don’t even wait a minute, the longer you wait the harder it is to get out, some existing stains just can’t be removed.
• Have some kind solution on hand for removing carpet stains, paired with the above two guidelines, there is virtually nothing you can’t remove.

Have you ever gone into someone’s house, smelled a bad odor, but didn’t tell them out of politeness? If so… next time make sure to tell them! The human nasal cavity adapts to odors, and after a short amount of time, can no longer detect a bad smell. However any guests to the house will smell it right away. Notorious bad smells that aren’t easily detected include mould from the kitchen or bathroom, pet odors, and dusty furniture.

There are a variety of cleaning and stain removal products which can get rid of a bad odor for good, but only if the person knows it’s there. When something stinks, call it out.

Anyone familiar with animal rescue knows that it isn’t just the shelters and havens that house homeless animals—there are many animal foster parents who open their homes to dogs and cats that need a little TLC.   These big-hearted people often have a house full of cats and dogs—and the messes that go along with them.

Doodoo Voodoo is a perfect solution for the multi-cat or multi-dog home.  It will remove stains and eliminate odors, deterring other animals from marking spots that were already marked previously and leaving the home smelling clean and fresh.

A college dormitory or campus lounge can be a messy place.  Pizza is eaten, Mountain Dew is spilled, people sometimes drink things they shouldn’t, and the carpet can suffer.  Students that have been up all night cramming for a midterm spill things because they’re tired.

Doodoo Voodoo isn’t just for removing stains pets leave behind.  It has proven extremely effective for odor removal of milk, human urine and other bodily fluids.   Adding a bottle to a care package for your favorite college student isn’t a bad idea!

Urine marking is one way dogs communicate with other dogs.  A dog can determine the sex, reproductive status, and identity of the dog that left the urine mark by the dog urine odor.  Males are more likely than female dogs to marking behavior, and unaltered male dogs mark most frequently of all.  Intact females may mark to announce they are going into heat.  Though marking generally consists of a very small amount of urine, it is unpredictable where, or how often, any given dog will mark.  Sometimes a dog marks when he smells something new on his people’s shoes or because pets in the home are feuding.  Some dogs never mark inside their homes, only leaving their scent in another home or while they are out for a walk.  Generally, urine marking is considered to be a canine response to a perceived threat, whether that consists of unfamiliar people or dogs, a new piece of furniture, or even a bag of groceries.

Your first preventative measure against urine marking is to spay and neuter your dogs.  It has been shown that about 50% of urine marking problems in the home are eliminated by the neutering of an intact male dog.  You can restrict your dog’s access to other dogs and to items that are likely to be marked.  Place treats under and around frequently marked objects that are not practical to hide, such as purses and shoes.  The dog will learn to see those objects as a food source rather than a trigger for further marking.  You can get a male dog wrap from a pet supply company, allowing him to mark, but not soil your belongings.   Do not scold your dog for urine marking, and do not prevent him from marking during walks, as these actions will further frustrate him and may increase the likelihood of further incidents of marking inside the home.

Anyone who watched “Friends” remembers Phoebe’s song about the smelly cat.  Pets can do a lot of stinky things that require pet odor removal, but if your dog or cat just plain stinks beyond needing a bath or a flea dip, you might want to investigate further for potential health problems.

Dogs and cats can stink if they have dental or ear problems, if they have certain skin problems, and if the hair around their rear needs cleaning and clipping.    The worst-case scenario is an infection or problem with the anal glands, in which case the your pet should see the veterinarian as soon as possible.  Both cats and dogs can also have stinky breath from respiratory infections, and occasionally in older pets, kidney or liver disease can affect the animal’s breath.  A dental issue can actually cause a heart murmur in a cat or dog, but once dental problems have been resolved, the heart murmur will often disappear as well.

The companies who market stain removers promise a myriad of results when it comes to the versatility and effectiveness of their merchandise.  Some stain removers promote the green philosophy and say they are all natural and non-toxic.   Other stain removers say they can take care of human biohazards such as vomit and urine in addition to pet stains. 

It is up to each individual consumer to decide which stain remover will meet their needs.  If you have a stubborn stain that has not responded to any stain removers you’ve found on the market up to this time, there is bound to be a method or product you have not yet tried that will work.

When pets leave stains in your household or car, cleaning up the mess is not the only concern.  The odors that accompany pet stains will require an odor neutralizer that is both safe and effective.

 Pet urine contains acid and alkaline components that demand an odor neutralizer to replace their properties with a neutral smell so that pets do not feel compelled to mark the area again.