How to Deal with Dog Stains Effectively

Having a dog in the home is good both for companionship and protection but these services do not come free and homeowners have to be responsible for their pets. This means that these dogs have to be fed well, cleaned after and provided with adequate shelter.

 Dog stains are not limited to urine and feaces but also include saliva and vomit. Some of these stains maybe as a result of accidents or could be induced by other factors such as poor training, health and stress, territorial issues and litters that are too dirty to be used.

One way of avoiding dog stains totally in the first place is training the dogs using positive reinforcement methods where a good effort is awarded. Ensuring that their health is in tip top condition is also another way of preventing stains as a result of urinating, vomiting or defecating due to poor health.

Their behavior of marking their territories should also be greatly discouraged. A dog owner should also try to clean up dog messes as soon as they see them to avoid dealing with tougher stains later. A dog stain can be found on carpets, upholstery, beddings, walls and floors.     

These stains will need to be completely removed because most pets can identify their scents and will therefore, make a habit of messing up in the same spot over and over. It is therefore, advisable to use products that have a deodorizing affect as well as products that do not contain ammonia. Ammonia is a component of urine that can easily be identified by most pets. Stains on washable items such as sheets and beddings can be removed by using baking soda and cleaners that contain enzymes which break down the pet odors. These beddings should then be aired as they dry.
    
Cleaning a dog stain that is still fresh on carpets and upholstery involves soaking up as much of the mess using paper or cloth towels. Treading on them ensures that more is absorbed by the towels. When the area is relatively dry, it is then thoroughly cleaned with plenty of water and dried using towels or a vacuum designed to absorb moisture. Identifying stains that have already set involves using a backlight which can help to identify more stains that could not be easily seen as well. A mixture of water and vinegar in the same proportions is then poured on to the area. The vinegar is used to neutralize ammonia and clean out dog stains completely.     

After the area has dried another mixture of detergent and hydrogen along with baking powder is used to further ensure that no trace of the odor remains. Baking soda should be used when general cleaning to remove other odors that could have set around the house. Cleaning dog stains off walls and floors might involve replacing the paint, varnish or boards if the acid in the urine caused some discoloration or ate up into the surface. If the damage is not too extensive, then cleaners that contain the enzymes that break down the pet odors can be used as long as the instructions are duly followed.