The combination of carpeting and furry pets is often frowned upon. However, with the right tools and knowledge, you can own a nice rug and have a pet. Whether you’re a cat or a dog person, regular maintenance is crucial to keep your rug clean. Here are some tips on how to protect your rug from your pet:
Rug Colour
If you own a pet, it’s important to shop for rugs in a medium colour. It’s even better to select a rug with several colours woven into it. Choosing the right colour will ensure that dirt, drool or pet fur or dander is concealed. We don’t recommend choosing anything too light or too dark as stains and dander will easily show up on both.
Stain Resistant Rug
Even if your four-legged friend doesn’t shed, pets often cause other stains. These stains can come from vomit, fecal matter, dirt from paws and urine. Your pets may be well-trained but they are still animals and accidents do happen. Stain resistant rugs are slightly more expensive but they are worth the investment if you have a pet. The rugs’ fibres include a protective layer. They are super durable and can last for years even while being vacuumed and steam-cleaned on a regular basis.
Scotchguard Rug
Another option to decrease stains on your rug is to Scotchguard it. Scotchgard is an industrial strength spray that protects the rug’s fibres. It helps the fibres keep their shape and prevents additional stains. It should be done by a professional once every few years to ensure that every section of the rug is treated.
Pet Urine
Urine is one of the most problematic issues that faces pet owners with rugs. It’s important to monitor your pets so if they pee on your rug you can clean it right away. Cleaning up urine stains after they’ve been left for an hour or more is very difficult. If you notice your pet has urinated on your rug:
- Grab a wad of paper towels.
- Lay them flat on the stain.
- Step on the towels with all of your body weight
- Replace the paper towels until they’re nearly dry to pull up a lot of the liquid.
- Mix one teaspoon of ammonia with one cup of water and put it in a spray bottle. If you have a pet, it’s a great idea to have this mixture around the house just in case.
- Spray this on the stain and let it sink in for about 5 minutes.
- Once the time is up, grab a stiff brush and make circular motions on and around the stain
- Vacuum the spot.
This method should prevent the urine from staining or causing any unpleasant odours.
Trimming Your Pet’s Nails
It’s important to keep your pet well groomed for many reasons. Keeping their nails and hair short can have a positive impact on your rug. Pets often run across rugs which can snag the fibres and cause them to unravel or have holes. If they have well-kept nails, it prevents the rug from looking disheveled. Whether you do it yourself or take your pets to a groomer, ensure that a nail file is used to get their nails smooth. This will lead to a lot less damage to your rug.
Have a Separate Rug by the Door
When you’re taking your dog for a walk or you have an outdoor cat, it’s important to have a practical rug for them to wipe their paws on by the door. On particularly muddy, snowy or rainy days, make sure you have a rag or towel so you can clean off their paws and ensure they don’t track dirt into the other rooms of your house. Consider it a welcome mat for your furry friend.
Vacuum Twice Weekly
Vacuuming on a regular basis ensures dander levels and pet-related odours are kept to a minimum. We recommend vacuuming your rugs twice a week. If it’s in a room with furniture, move the furniture off the rug to get a more thorough clean. You may discover your pet has been eating or playing under your couch without you realizing.
Carpet Powder
When vacuuming twice weekly, use a carpet powder. There are several on the market today. Sprinkle the powder onto your rug and let it sink in for the amount of time listed on the instructions. Go over the entire surface area of the rug twice for maximum effect.
Contact a Professional
A lot of these tips can be implemented at home but if you have a pet it’s crucial to get your rug professionally cleaned at least three to four times a year. This will increase the longevity of your rug and keep it looking and smelling fresh and clean. Love Your Rug cleans and repairs a wide variety of rugs from wool to synthetic. Contact us today to protect your rug from your pet.
