Your cat is your companion and a member of your family, but that does not mean you should have to deal with fur and urine stains every time you walk across your carpet. It is possible to have clean, vibrant, healthy carpets when you have cats in the home, but you have to be diligent in keeping them that way. Follow these five carpet care tips for cat owners, and you'll be off to a right start.
1. Have Your Carpet Cleaned Twice a Year
Homeowners without cats and children may get away with only having their carpet cleaned once a year, but as a cat owner, you really need to schedule this maintenance every six months. Some cat owners even have their carpets cleaned quarterly.
Cat dander and hair starts off on the surface of your carpet where it is easy to remove, but over time, it works its way deeper into the fibers. Frequent cleaning ensures the hair is removed before it becomes too stuck.
Frequent cleaning also keeps your carpet smelling fresh. Even if your cat never urinates or throws up on the carpet, odors from his or her body oils can accumulate over time.
Make sure the carpet cleaning company you choose uses cleaning products that are safe for cats. Some stronger chemical cleaners may irritate your cat's skin or respiratory passages.
2. Keep a Pet-Safe Spot Cleaner Handy
If your kitty does have an accident, the sooner you clean it up, the less likely it is to leave a permanent stain. Purchase a pet-friendly spot cleaner at the store, and test it on a hidden part of your carpet - or perhaps on a leftover carpet scrap - before you put it away. This way, if your cat has an accident, you can pull out the stain fighter and use it without delay.
Follow the instructions on the spot cleaner package for best results. Make sure you blot, rather than rub, the treated area. Rubbing just drives the staining material deeper into the carpet.
3. Use Baking Soda on Urine Spots
After you have treated any urine stains with your spot cleaner, apply some baking soda to the area. Let it sit there until the spot has dried completely, and then vacuum it up. Baking soda helps absorb any lingering odors and moisture from the carpet, which not only keeps your home smelling fresh but also helps deter your cat from going in the same place again.
4. Vacuum Twice a Week With Good Tools
You need to vacuum surprisingly often to keep cat hair under control, especially during shedding season. Aim to vacuum twice a week at a minimum. When you do vacuum, use your vacuum's wand attachment to get in the corners and along the baseboards. Hair and dander loves to accumulate here. Especially if you have allergies, choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which will filter out more dander particles.
5. Provide Your Cat With a Scratching Post
Some cats love to scratch carpet, which will leave it looking threadbare and spotted over time. To deter this habit, provide your cat with a scratching post. Place catnip on the scratching post to encourage your cat to choose the post over your carpet.
You can also try putting aluminum foil over the parts of the carpet your cat wants to scratch. Cats hate the feeling of the foil under their feet and will soon learn not to scratch those spots.
With the tips above, your cat and your carpet can coexist in harmony. If you're looking for a carpet cleaning company that offers green, petfriendly cleaning solutions in the valley,
contact All State Carpet & Tile Care
to schedule an appointment.