Austin is a pet friendly town, so it comes as no surprise that some of the most common issues facing our customers are pet stains and pet odor. Unsightly stains and embarrassing odors can be a pet owner’s worst nightmare. Some homeowners will do anything to get rid of those recurring stains and that pungent smell. Some will even resort to using common chemicals or home remedies to cover up the mess. The problem is that using the wrong chemicals or applying them incorrectly can cause permanent damage to the carpet fibers, such as bleaching, or dying.
Having your carpets cleaned by a professionally trained Master Touch technician is the best way to effectively remove recurring pet stains and odors from your carpet. A Master Touch technician will be able to evaluate your particular situation and prescribe the best solution. In many cases, all that is needed is a regular steam clean. However, some more serious cases with urine stains and pet odors may require the use of deodorizers and enzyme treatments.
In extreme cases, pet urine can soak through carpets into the padding, baseboards, subfloor, and slab. In these situations, it is necessary to soak all affected areas with a powerful enzyme treatment in order to kill the bacteria causing the odors. Simply replacing the flooring without properly treating the slab, subfloor, baseboards, and any other affected areas will result in recurring odors that may never go away.
Pet Urine
The main ingredient in pet urine is uric acid, which has a ph of about 5 to 6. Fresh urine, in a warm acidic state, creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to flourish. Once it’s in the carpet, the acid state of the urine begins to oxidize and react with the carpet. This creates a color change that can become permanent if the urine is not removed from the carpet.
As urine dries, it changes its hydrogen content and forms crystalline salts, taking on an alkaline ph. Ammonia gas is given off when dry urine is remoistened, which is one source of urine odor. Another source of the pungent odor associated with urine is a result of bacteria growth. As the bacteria grow and the urine breaks down, organic compounds and amino acids are formed. It is the gasses given off by the decomposition of these organic compounds that is the source of the smell associated with pet urine.
Carpet TIP: One commonly prescribed remedy for treating pet urine spots is to use white vinegar to neutralize and then flush the urine out of the carpet. THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT WAY TO TREAT A URINE STAIN! The problem is that vinegar is an acid and Urine is an acid, and you cannot neutralize and acid with and acid. The most effective home remedy for removing a fresh urine spot is by applying warm water to it and absorb with a terry cloth towel repeatedly. Then apply a small amount of mild hand soap while continuing to absorb with a towel. DO NOT USE OTC STAIN REMOVERS AS THEY MAY MAKE THE STAIN WORSE. Only pet spotters with the proper ph should be used to neutralize pet urine.
