Having a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences. The joy of coming home to a friendly face and hours of fun with the family, all because of a pet. However, they can really wreak havoc on your furniture. From accumulating pet hair and dander to stubborn pet stains and odors, your upholstery can take quite a beating. So stop slaving on all the cleaning up after your pets.
You try to keep your pets off of your leather or suede couch, but they just won’t listen because hey animals are smart, so why not enjoy that comfy couch with you? So you can spend time training your pet to stay off the nice furniture, or you can enjoy having them cuddle with you on your couch, AND avoid constantly having to clean and maintain the fabric. Check out these helpful tips on upholstery cleaning after those dreadful messes you have tried so hard to avoid. Yes we’ve got your back!
Removing Pet Hair
Pet hair can be a nuisance and sometimes very difficult to remove. Try using duct tape as a quick solution.
Tip #1 Wrap a couple of pieces of duct tape, sticky side on the outside, around your hand and skim across the fabric of your furniture. You may go through a lot of duct tape in the process, but it really works.
Tip #2 Another technique is to use a latex glove to remove the pet hair. The texture of the latex will cling to the hair and make it easier to remove it. Try both wet and dry gloves to see what works best for you. If you do not have latex gloves or duct tape handy, try using a bristle brush, sometimes found on a vacuum cleaner attachment, to brush over the upholstery.
Removing Pet Stains
Pet urine can be really difficult to remove, especially cat urine. To remove a urine stain, blot the area with a dry towel to remove any excess liquid. If you can remove the cover on your couch or chair cushions, that is most ideal. This helps prevent the liquid from seeping into the cushion itself.
Spray white distilled vinegar liberally over the area until you can no longer smell the urine. Then toss the cushion cover into the washing machine. Wash cover on delicate with a gentle detergent, made for delicates, or detergents specified for hand wash also works well in cold water. Let the cushion cover soak in the washer for 15-20 minutes before you run the cycle.
Removing Pet Odours
Pet odors can take over your home and your car without you even realising it, except when a friend comes over. You may get used to it over time, but others can definitely notice the faint smell of wet dog in your car. To get rid of pet odors, sprinkle baking soda generously over the area and let it sit. After about 10 minutes or so, vacuum the area thoroughly preferably with a pet brush attachment. Spray a gentle deodorizer in a neutral scent to freshen up the upholstery.
If you have tried this solution before and the mess is still way too much for you to handle, or you just can’t get that cat urine smell out, consider calling a professional. Look for cleaners to steam clean all of your upholstery and schedule this regularly to maintain the accumulation of stains and odours in your home.
