Keyword carpet cleaning, diy cleaning, pet odor, pet stains
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 10 minutesminutes
How to clean up vomit, hairballs and urine on carpet with baking soda, vinegar and a homemade spray.
What You’ll Need
Vomit/hairball pack: baking soda; about 1 cup water to 1 cup of vinegar; spray bottle; three old rags
Urine eliminator: vinegar; baking soda; a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide; a drop or two of dish liquid; enzyme cleaner; old rags; old towel
Directions
For vomit or a hairball, wipe up the mess with a damp rag. On carpet, sprinkle on baking soda and leave it for an hour (skip this on hard floors).
In a spray bottle, mix about 1 cup of water with 1 cup of vinegar and spray the stain; it will fizz. When the fizzing stops, scoop up the baking soda.
Spray lightly and blot with a clean rag until the stain is gone, taking care not to soak the area.
For urine, blot up as much as you can with an old towel, then throw the towel away. Sprinkle on baking soda and leave it for about ten minutes.
Pour vinegar over the baking soda, let it fizz for a few seconds, then blot.
Mix a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with a drop or two of dish liquid, test it on a hidden spot, then pour it on the stain. On carpet, work it in and blot quickly; on hard floors, spray and wipe.
Dry the area with a fan. After about 24 hours, soak it with enzyme cleaner and let it air dry completely (a day or two), covering it so no one steps on it.
Clean as usual once dry, and repeat the enzyme step weekly if needed.
Notes
Safety: spot-test first; don't over-saturate; don't skip the enzyme step. A cat missing the litter box may need a vet visit. Also: mix peroxide fresh (it loses strength and can bleach fabric); never mix vinegar or peroxide with bleach; keep pets out until dry.