Pets and Your Furniture
No question about it, we love our pets dearly, but they can be one of the biggest challenges we deal with, though, as we try to keep the house—and the furniture—looking and smelling its best. Many pets, especially dogs, are constantly coming and going, inside and out. Unfortunately, they don’t always remember to wipe their feet and, of course, there are those times when even the best-trained don’t quite make it outside “in time.”
Prevention Is The Best Defense
As the first line of defense, it’s a good idea to treat fabrics and carpets with Guardsman Fabric Protector, which can help prevent soiling and makes stains easier to remove. An aerosol that’s safe for use inside your home, it won’t change the feel of your fabrics. Use it on furniture and other household fabrics, as well as buffed leathers such as nubuck and suede. We also offer Guardsman Leather Protector for finished leather and unfinished aniline leather.
Pet Odors
Urine—Urine is the #1 cause of pet-related odor problems. Since lingering odors result from fluids that penetrate deep into the core of the fiber and have a chance to dry, it’s important to act quickly!
Right after the accident, use an absorbent dry towel or paper towels to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Next, apply several ounces of water directly to the stained area, again blotting up as much of the moisture as possible. Finally, fold a clean towel into quarters and lay it directly on top of the stain, using a heavy object to hold the towel in place for several hours. The absorbent action of the layered towel helps pull the diluted urine out. The water also acts as a gentle and effective cleaning agent. If you still notice a stain, use Guardsman Fabric First Aid to remove any remaining surface soil. For tougher urine stains, including those that have had a chance to dry before being noticed, try an oxidizing stain remover, bio-modifier, or pet urine neutralizer (you can find these products at most pet stores).
Fur—Naturally-occurring oils in cat and dog fur are a common source of nagging pet odors. When pets lay on carpets and furniture, these oils are eventually transferred to these surfaces. An easy way to avoid these odors is to place a washable pet cushion, or even a blanket, where your pet likes to lay. Routine upholstery cleaning is a great way to keep pet odors at bay and will also take care of the everyday dirt and grime those beloved pets tend to bring inside after a walk or a backyard play session! More frequent general cleaning of the area where your pet spends most of his time and washing his bed cover often can also help. When selecting cleaning products, check the label—many are specially-formulated to neutralize odors.
Vomit & Feces—Even the best-trained pets occasionally get sick and can have a serious accident inside the home. If at all possible, address stains as soon as they occur. First, use a gentle scraping motion to lift off and remove solid material from the fabric or carpet. Next (If the stain has had a chance to dry)
vacuum to further remove any loose surface residue. Dampen a clean cloth or paper towel with water and blot the stained area. Use a mild water-based cleaner on water cleanable fabrics and carpets (always check the manufacturer’s label–carpets are typically water-friendly). Guardsman Fabric First Aid Kit is ideal for removing stains from water-cleanable fabrics and leaves no soil attracting residue. Tough stains can occasionally require more than one cleaning; our Dry Cleaning Fluid is designed for dry-clean-only fabrics. Once the stain is thoroughly cleaned, an enzyme cleaner or odor neutralizer may be applied if necessary. And always re-apply Guardsman Fabric Protector to newly-cleaned areas, to restore protection.
