No matter how well-trained your pet is to be housebroken, the occasional accident or stain is inevitable — especially if your animal goes outside frequently. In the event that your furry friend has an "oops" moment, pet-conscious cleaning products play a major role in keeping your home fresh and tidy.
"It's important to thoroughly clean up pet stains because lingering odors increase the chances your pet will return to the same spot to leave their mark again," says pet expert and influencer Kristen Levine. "Uric acid in pet urine is what leaves a lingering smell even after you've cleaned up. But naturally-based cleaners, specifically for pet stains and odors, are tough enough to remove the stink!"
Levine says the safest and best solutions are cleaning products specifically designed to remove pet stains and odors. She suggests searching for cleaning products that use natural enzyme or oxidizing formulas (which use the power of oxygen) to eliminate odors, instead of harsh chemicals. "These natural pet stain and odor formulas are great, because they are tough enough to remove urine, stool, diarrhea, blood and vomit, while being safe enough to use on all flooring surfaces, furniture and fabrics," Levine says. "Just be sure to use as directed!"
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Here is Levine's list of products used at home (which is inhabited by one dog and two cats):
- Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover (originally $14, now $10)
- Simple Solution Orange Oxy Charged Stain and Odor Remover (originally $15, now $14)
- BISSELL Tough Stain Pretreat ($6)
- BISSELL 2X Spot & Stain Formula ($10)
- BISSELL Oxy Boost Carpet Cleaning Formula Enhancer ($13)
The above three are available in a BISSELL Stain Remover Formula Pack (originally $29, now $25) for portable carpet cleaning.
Last but not least, the pet parent must-have, according to Levine: SpotBot Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner ($149)
A clean, healthy and happy house can coexist alongside happy animals. Levine says her cabinet is stocked with Simple Solution and BISSELL products, both of which are formulated specifically for pet messes. "I like the Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover, and for tougher stains, the Orange Oxy Charged — it smells so good!" Levine says. "Also, I recommend every pet parent have a BISSELL SpotBot Pet portable carpet stain remover! I can't live without mine. I use BISSELL's Tough Stain Pretreat for carpet, and the 2X Spot & Stain Formula for use with my portable deep cleaner."
And for those particularly difficult or messy stains in the carpet or on the upholstery? "I sometimes use the Oxy Boost Carpet Cleaning Formula Enhancer," Levine says.
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