Bringing a furry friend into your home provides an unparalleled level of comfort, laughter, and joy. However, owning a pet also means unfortunate carpet stains and odors. The best way to avoid needing frequent carpet replacement is to practice proactive habits to protect your flooring. Here are some helpful tips to avoid permanent pet damage, so your home and carpet always look their best.

4 Tips to Help Pet Owners Protect Their Carpets

1. Trim Their Nails

Whether you have a dog or a cat, regularly trimming their nails is one of the most important ways to protect your carpet from needing to be replaced prematurely. When a cat’s nails become too long, they instinctively want to knead carpeting to keep them filed and sharp. Overgrown dog nails can also pose a threat, as they pace around your home or dig into your carpet when playing.

2. Vacuum Twice a Week

Even if your pet doesn’t shed, their coat produces pet dander, which floats around a home, landing on carpeting and upholstery. In addition to creating a subtle pet odor, dander is a common allergen that can impact your family’s health. To keep your home smelling fresh and carpet looking its best, it’s recommended to vacuum at least twice a week. This small step goes a long way toward improving your home’s overall comfort and indoor air quality.

3. Reconsider the Entryway

Carpet in a home’s entryway often becomes more dingy, worn, and stained than other areas. This is particularly true if you own a dog, as they often track in dirt and mud after a walk. Consider using hardwood or tile in your entryway instead to avoid unsightly carpet stains near your front door.

4. Clean Up Urine Immediately

Left unaddressed, pet urine will leave behind carpet stains and odors. While do-it-yourself treatments can be effective, a stain removal expert will have the best results. Using a paper towel or cloth, blot the urine firmly until all of the moisture has been absorbed. Then, pour a solution of half water and half white vinegar to fully saturate the stain. Use a bristle brush to thoroughly scrub the area, allowing the vinegar to neutralize the smell, before blotting the area dry once more. Lastly, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and wait about 20 minutes before vacuuming it up. 

If pet damage has left permanent carpet stains in your home, then you’ll need a professional rug cleaning expert to address the issue. Serving homeowners in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, the team at America’s Best Cleaning & Restoration Services has the tools and experience to help. In addition to carpet cleaning and pet odor removal, they also offer a variety of other cleaning services to restore your home’s beauty and comfort, including mold remediation and testing. To schedule a carpet cleaning estimate, call (608) 782-6995, or visit them online to learn more about their pet odor removal services.