Pet odors are difficult to control, because the source of the odor is often difficult to locate, and pets will continue to return to the scent of a former accident for a repeat performance. The major source of stains and odors from pets is dog and cat urine, difficult to find once it has dried, yet still producing an unpleasant smell. Pets may eliminate on furniture or carpets due to old age, sickness, poor planning on the part of the pet owner or guardian, or simply because the animal is young and needs more time to be completely house trained. It is worth mentioning that any product or group of products that will remove urine stains and odors will also remove fecal stains and odors as well.

Parts of Urine

Urine contains three parts, regardless of the animal involved. The urea is the sticky part of the urine, while the urochrome is the pigment and portion of the urine that gives it its yellow color. The acid crystals and salty part of the urine is called the uric. This is the part that dries and remains on the carpet or furniture originally soiled. In order to reduce the stain, as well as the odor, a product must remove all three parts of the urine content.

Locating the Urine

It is best to remove urine stains immediately; however, pet owners (guardians) are not always aware when their dog or cat has an accident.  A "stink light" (black light) used in a dark room, will assist with finding the exact locatation of the stain, making its effective removal simple.

Cleanup

Pure cold water should be used to clean the area as well as possible before using the home remedy.   A water extraction carpet cleaning machine is recommended for this purpose if the stain is on carpet.  Once the area is rinsed well, a home remedy tht neutralizes the odor can be sprinkled on the area that contained the stain, and was the source of odor.  Pet odor neutralizers digest pet odors through use of live bacteria and enzymes.

A mixture of vinegar (1/2 cup) and water (2/3 cup) mixed with a small amount of dishwashing liquid, can act as an odor and stain neutralizer to remove both from your carpet or furniture.  apply the mixture directly to the area of the stain, and work the mixture into the area until it is well saturated.  To remove the mixture begin adding water, and continue to do so until the mixture is completely removed.  Sprinkle baking soda to the area where the stain was originally located, and wait 24 hours before using your vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda from your carpet or furniture.  Both vinegar and baking soda are active neutralizers to remove the odor from your carpet or furniture.