Pet Accidents on Your Rug: What You Can Do About Them

 You’ve decorated your home carefully. The rugs you’ve chosen give each room a unique character, adding splashes of color and warmth. You have a Kerman, a Bokhara, and a Shiraz. You hope that these gorgeous tribal rugs will be passed onto your children someday, and that future generations appreciate their beauty and comfort as much as you do.

But there are other members of your family that do not respect these carpets in the same way – i.e., the dog and the cat. What should you do to protect your rugs from your four-footed friends? What are the best ways to clean up after accidents? And where can you get expert rug repair and rug cleaning if needed?

Protection from Pets

Fabric protectors, like Scotchgard, can be applied to your carpets to help protect them. You should also vacuum them frequently. If you have pets, this is especially important. Pet fur and dander can get ground into your rug, and provide nesting spots for bed bugs, mites and moths. 

You should also rotate your rugs, like you do your mattresses. Regular cleaning and rotating helps prevent dirt from settling into the wool fibers and prevents sunshine and furniture from causing faded or discolored areas. 

It is also a good idea to bring your rug in for our professional cleaning services occasionally, to remove pet hair, dirt and other debris, and extend the life of your investment.

Cleaning Up from Mishaps

No matter how careful you are, or how well trained your pets, accidents will happen. The first step is to remove as much of the dreaded spill as possible. You should blot the spot with warm water. Do this first in an inconspicuous corner of the rug (or one that is hidden under furniture), to make sure none of the dyes bleed. If the colors do spread, stop immediately, and contact us so your rug can be cleaned professionally.

If there is no bleed, use a white towel or washcloth to blot the spot, so you can see that you are picking up the color of the spill. You will need to keep applying water as long as color appears on the towel. Be careful not to over-do it, though, or you will make the rug too wet. 

You will need to dry the rug, too. The best way is to hang it up. If that is not possible, lift the affected section off the floor and put some wadded-up newspaper underneath it. You can also position a fan on it or use a hair dryer to help speed up the process.

Remove the Odor, too

There will often be an odor associated with the spill. It is important to remove the smell, since once a pet has marked a spot, it will serve as a welcome mat to other animals if any odor remains. Baby shampoo might work, but it can be difficult to remove. Our professional rug cleaning options are specifically designed to ensure rugs are clean and odor-free.

If your rug is in need of repair or cleaning, take it to OC Rug Store. We serve Orange County and surrounding areas, including Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, and more.