8 Tips for Removing Pet Hair and Stains from Handmade Oriental Rugs  

It happens.  The second you turn your back, your pet decides to relieve himself on that precious rug of yours. You clean it and scrub it, but sometimes the smell – and sometimes the pet stain – won’t budge. So what do you do?

If there are pet hairs on the rug, you can easily use a plastic bristle brush and move it up and down gently on your rug till you have collected all the hairs stuck on it. If, however, the pet has decided to use your rug as a bathroom, then soak it up with as many dry paper towels as possible. Avoid using newspapers because they might leave their ink behind on the surface of your rug. After that, you can try the following homemade remedies:

The Vinegar Solution  

If there’s a stubborn urine stain on your rug, try using a mixture made up of equal amounts of white vinegar and water. Apply it liberally so that the rug is able to soak it up completely, including the areas surrounding the stain.

You can use a scrub brush to work the solution into the fibers of the rug as well. The vinegar will help neutralize the smell of the urine. After a few minutes, just blot the area dry with a clean cloth.

The Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Solution  

Take a handful of baking soda and spread it on the stained area. After that, spread another handful of the soda on the top of baking soda so that a small layer rises above the center of the stain, covering the entire affected area.

Then, take a half cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and mix it with one teaspoon of  plain   dishwashing detergent (it should not be caustic).  You can either pour this solution directly over the baking soda, or you can put it in a spray bottle and then spray it on the powder-covered stain. Use a scrub brush and work this mixture thoroughly into the rug so that it is able to penetrate all the way down.

Leave the solution to dry for an hour or two after which it will leave behind dry baking powder. This powder can easily be vacuumed up.

Please keep in mind that you will never use Hydrogen Peroxide that is more concentrated than 3% because it can weaken the fibers of your rug. Also, make sure that the area where you apply this mixture is well-ventilated when you are applying the solution, as well as while you are waiting for the solution to dry. Make sure to test this solution beforehand on a small and out-of-the-way section of your rug first to ensure that the solution does not discolor the rug.

Club Soda  

Club soda is effective for getting rid of stains caused by pet urine. After your pet relieves itself on your carpet, immediately blot up excess urine on it with a paper towel. Then soak it with club soda. Blot again and scrub with diluted carpet shampoo.

Oxygen Bleach  

 You can make use of oxygen bleach for cleaning and disinfecting the carpets. Mix 4 ounces of oxygen bleach powder with 1 gallon of warm water and use this solution for shampooing urine stains on your carpet. For tough stains, mix 1 tablespoon of oxygen bleach with 8 ounces of warm water and work it into the stains on your carpet with a scrub brush. Saturate the affected area well with the oxygen bleach mixture for treating the carpet padding.

Grapefruit Seed Extract  

You can use grapefruit seed extract which is a biodegradable and non-toxic cleaner for cleaning and freshening pet urine stains. Combine 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract with one gallon of water and use this for washing solid surfaces to entirely remove the pet urine. Take this solution and use it for cleaning your carpet by dousing the area of the urine with it and letting it dry naturally. The cleaner leaves no residue behind and requires no rinsing. For serious odors and stains, saturate the affected area again and allow it to dry.

Pet Odor Neutralizers  

Alternatively, you can also use some homemade remedies for getting rid of the offensive odor of your pet’s urine. Some of them are mentioned here. If you still aren’t happy with your Eco-friendly treatment of your pet’s accident, you can go ahead and use a store-bought pet odor-neutralizing powder and apply it to the affected area.

Cornstarch   

Cornstarch works in a similar way to baking soda, though its use as a deodorizer is not that well known. Sprinkle the cornstarch thickly over the soiled area and work it with a brush or broom. Then leave it for at least a time period of 24 hours. If the odor is very troublesome, spray the affected area with water till the cornstarch becomes wet all the way through, then leave it till it dries. Then vacuum up the residue for removing the odor and the cornstarch.

Citrus  

Citrus fruits contain enzymes that help to break down odors. You can make a strong enzymatic cleaner that removes most of the pet odors, but you need to be patient. These solutions can take a few months to brew.

To create such a solution, mix 7 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1-1/2 half cups of lemon and orange peel scraps, and 4 cups of water. Put this mixture in a glass jar, shake it up, and allow it to sit for three months. You will get a powerful cleaner when it is completed. You can use the cleaner for getting rid of pet odors.    

In extreme cases, the urine may penetrate down into the rug’s padding, in which case it will become difficult to completely get rid of the smell. In those cases, it’s best to replace the padding itself. 

If you want to have the best quality handmade Persian area rugs for your home, you can buy them from Magic Rugs, one of the leading rug stores in Charlotte NC. The store offers a wide range of Persian rugs including Persian tribal runner rugs, palace-size Persian rugs as well as cheap Persian rugs. These rugs will help to make your home look appealing and magnificent which in turn will cast a great impression on your visitors and guests.