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Pet Messes Happen—Here’s How to Clean Them Like a Pro

Small dog on clean carpet

Whether you’re potty training a puppy, caring for an aging cat or just dealing with a “whoops” moment, pet accidents happen. 

The good news? We’ve been cleaning up after pets for decades and know exactly how to tackle both the spots and the smells.  

Here’s what the pros know

Our ready-to-use cleaners (Stanley Steemer Spot Remover and Odor Out!) are perfect for quick cleanups—and when it’s time for a deeper job, our professional treatments remove stains and odors from deep in your carpet.

Think your carpet’s due for a pro clean? 

Book Carpet Cleaning Today

For the day-to-day messes, here’s how to get the best results from at-home cleaning.

How to Get Pet Stains Out of Carpet

Speed is your best friend here. Pet urine starts out acidic, but as it sits, it crystallizes and becomes alkaline. That’s a fancy way of saying it makes the urine harder to remove and more likely to leave a permanent mark.

Here’s how to lift the spot using our Stanley Steemer Spot Remover:

What you’ll need:

  • Stanley Steemer Spot Remover – Neutral pH, safe for carpet and a champ at handling “wicking” spots (the ones that sneak back after drying).

  • Clean white towels – They won’t bleed color and let you see exactly what you’re lifting.

  • Water

Steps:

  1. Blot, blot, blot – Before anything else, soak up as much as possible with a fresh white towel.

  2. Spray our Spot Remover – Shake it well, open the nozzle and spray until the spot is damp.

  3. Let it sit, then blot – Give it 2–4 minutes, then blot from the outside of the stain inward with a clean towel.

  4. Rinse & blot dry – Use clean water to rinse, then blot again with another white towel. Repeat if needed – Keep going until the stain’s gone.

  5. Let it dry – Avoid walking on the area until it’s completely dry.

How to Get Pet Urine Smell Out of Carpet

Even if the stain is gone, odor can hang around like an unwelcome houseguest. That’s where Stanley Steemer Odor Out Plus comes in. It uses natural bacterial enzymes to digest the source of the odor—breaking it down instead of just covering it with a scent.

Why does this matter?

Your pet’s nose can pick up what yours can’t—and if they smell urine, they’ll think that spot’s fair game for a repeat accident.

What you’ll need:

Steps:

  1. Dry the area first – Odor Out Plus works best on a dry surface.

  2. Spray generously – Shake well, then apply directly to the affected area.

  3. Work it in – Press the solution into the carpet fibers with a towel.

  4. Keep it moist – Cover with a slightly damp cloth for at least 24 hours so the enzymes can do their thing.

  5. Let it dry – Once the time’s up, remove the cloth and let the carpet dry completely before walking on it.

When to Call Stanley Steemer?

The steps above are perfect for quick action, but no retail cleaner—ours or anyone else’s—can reach as deep as our professional equipment.

Our technicians have access to solutions that are stronger than store-bought and applied with training and precision to protect your carpet. Here’s what happens when we come out:

  • Inspection first – We assess the carpet, figure out the best game plan and let you know if a spot might be a permanent stain.

  • Hot water extraction – Our signature method flushes out bacteria, dirt and odor from deep in the fibers.

  • Targeted treatments – We can apply high-powered stain removers and deodorizers that keep working even after we leave.

Think of it like this: your spot treatment is first aid, and our professional cleaning is the full recovery plan.

We’ll handle the mess, so you can get back to loving your pet—accidents and all.

Book Carpet Cleaning Today!

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