Pets are part of the family, which means they’ll hang out when you’re having fun, but sometimes make a mess or two that requires a bit of cleanup. No matter how well you train your pets, accidents can and will happen. When disaster strikes, cleaning up those messes quickly and efficiently will save your home from permanent stains and odors.
With 66% of U.S. households owning a pet, most pet parents reach for store-bought cleaners to tackle accidents. These products are great, especially in terms of convenience, but they can be pricey and full of chemicals. The alternative? Make your own cleaner with simple ingredients you may already have at home! The great thing about homemade pet stain removers is they are easy to whip up, while also being budget friendly.
In this blog, we’ll share some simple but effective homemade cleaner recipes you can try out. Read on to find the right one for your pet’s mess so you’ll never have to use harsh chemicals again!
1. Vinegar-Baking Soda Spray
It doesn’t get much easier than this spray. It’s simple, inexpensive, and works well on urine stains in particular.
You will need…
– 2 cups white distilled vinegar
– 2 cups of lukewarm water
– 4 generous tablespoons of baking soda
– A spray bottle for mixing and application
White vinegar is a miraculous substance that will get rid of even the most stubborn stains; while baking soda is nature’s odor remover. When these two ingredients are combined, they do a great job at getting rid of pet stains and odors.
2. Hydrogen-peroxide/Baking Soda Mixture
Hydrogen peroxide is another great ally when it comes to breaking down the “crystals” of urine and pulling out stains. Combine it with naturally deodorizing baking soda, and you have another great solution for cleaning up accidents.
You will need…
– 1 cup of baking soda
– 1/2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide
– 1 teaspoon dish soap
– A bowl and rags to dab the paste on the stain
3. Citrus-enzyme Cleaner
Popular stain removal products often have lengthy labels educating you on how they use “enzymes” to digest and break down stains and odors on a molecular level. It may sound fancy, but with a little time and patience you can easily make your own.
You will need…
– 7 tablespoons of brown sugar
– 1 ½ cups of lemon and orange peels/scraps
– 1 liter of water
– A container for mixing and storage
4. Vinegar and Water Blend
Fresh stains from bathroom accidents may not need any major mixes at all. While the stain is fresh, mix a 1:1 ratio of distilled white vinegar and boiling water. Dab as much of the stain away as you can with a dry towel, then blot with the vinegar and water mixture. The vinegar will quickly separate the stain from the carpet before it ever has a chance to settle.
5. Diluted Ammonia Solution
Ammonia may seem like a chemical 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 additives 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 or odor just as well as what people typically buy at the store. When making and using this mixture, be sure to take caution and ventilate the area, and never mix ammonia with bleach.
Your Pets are our Priority!
At the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), our number one priority is to promote the health and wellbeing of your pets. That is why we created the NASC Audit Program and the Quality Seal, which helps you identify animal health and nutritional supplements that come from responsible suppliers committed to producing the highest quality, most consistent products available. Visit our website to learn more and to see a list of NASC members that have earned the Quality Seal.
