If you own a pet it's likely you will need to know how to clean pet stains from carpet at some point.  Urine, vomit, hairballs, or your pet’s body oils can cause stains and odors that ruin a good carpet.

Stain Removers

Numerous commercial pet stain removers are currently available, but it’s best to use a cleaner that has uric salt in it. The enzyme-based cleaners don’t work as well as the organic ones. Several standard household solutions also work well. All stain removers need to be pre-tested, and should only be used on carpets with colorfast dyes. Here are some homemade stain removal solutions:

Club soda, undiluted

Non-bleach liquid hand dishwashing detergent; this can be ¼ to ½ teaspoon of detergent per 1 cup lukewarm water, or can be 1 tablespoon of detergent combined with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 2 cups of warm water

A dab of white vinegar, undiluted, or else ¼ to ½ cup of white vinegar per cup of warm water

A small amount of undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide on a clean cloth, or else 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with 3 tablespoons of warm water, or else one eye dropper of 3% hydrogen peroxide directly applied to stain, with 1-2 drops of ammonia added afterwards

2 tablespoons to ¼ cup clear ammonia combined with one cup of warm water

Basic Instructions

To remove any pet stains, you simply follow the same basic instructions for removal of most stains.

1. Blot or absorb as much of the stain as possible, if it’s a wet stain, using paper towels or a clean, light colored absorbent towel, and use a large spoon to scrape up dried materials.
   
   
2. Apply one of the above solutions, using either a spray bottle, or putting the solution on a clean, white cloth and dabbing it onto the stain.
   
   
3. Let the solution stand for 10-30 minutes, checking the carpet periodically for possible damage.
   
   
4. Repeat moisture absorption and extraction.
   
   
5. Rinse thoroughly with cold water, without over-wetting the area.
   
   
6. Use a fan to thoroughly dry the carpet.
   
   
7. Vacuum the carpet.
   
   
8. Repeat the process as long as it’s working, or else change cleaning solutions and repeat the process.