Cat Odor

Keeping Your Feline Friend Fresh With Pine Cat Litter

Cat litter has definitely provided a lot of pet and homeowners with so much convenience. Before cat lovers had to put up with the unbearable stench of cat urine and feces but thanks to cat litter, Pussy’s excrements are easy to eliminate and no longer as bad smelling. There are many different kinds and brands of cat litter in the market and one of the best of them all is pine cat litter.

Cat litter is used as a filling material for cat litter boxes where house cats defecate or urinate. The cat litter is supposed to absorb the moisture and reduce the bad smell coming from urine and feces, making the litter box more bearable at home. Pine cat litter fulfills these roles remarkably well, making it one of the best choices as a litter box filler.

There are different kinds of cat litter available in the market, allowing cat owners to choose from the wide variety according to their tastes and purposes. Some cat lovers choose cat litter for their odor control and absorbing power. Others choose cat litter that cannot easily be scattered all over the house. Some buy cat litter because they are biodegradable and environment friendly. Pine cat litter apparently can fulfill these considerations as it quite absorbent, track-resistant, and easy to dispose of.

Pine cat litter is a very much recommended type of cat litter for all cat lovers everywhere. A lot of people who have tried other kinds of cat litter such as clay, silica, sand, have ended up using pine cat litter because of its many advantages. There were people who first doubted using pine cat litter, but eventually they realized that it probably is the best kind of cat litter available commercially.

What Makes Pine Cat Litter So Good

Pine cat litter is a very good choice among other kinds of cat litter. First of all, it is organic – a gift of Mother Nature. It comes from recycled materials and it is in itself recyclable. Pine cat litter comes from biodegradable pine sawdust, it can easily be flushed down your toilet in small amounts. It can also be mixed into your garden soil to be used as compost fertilizer, saving you the need to buy synthetic or commercial plant food.

Pine cat litter also does not contain silica dust, unlike other types of cat litter like clay. Silica dust can be hazardous to health, and it would not be advisable to have them in products like cat litter. The dust particles can go airborne and be inhaled not only by your cat but other members of the family as well and this can cause a lot of problems in the lungs. When inhaled, silica dust can induce bronchitis or even lung cancer. It is not worth the risk to get these diseases just for a cheaper brand of cat litter. Pine cat litter would probably be a better choice for you and your cat in terms of health concerns.

Some cat owners get worried that their cats would not welcome the switch from their old cat litter to pine cat litter. Pine cat litter may have a very different texture from other kinds of cat litter. It usually comes in pellet form unlike the softer texture of other types, which seems to be more comfortable for cats. However, cats are actually tougher than most people think and they can definitely withstand the rougher texture of pine cat litter. Some cats may even like the tough consistency better than the sandy and smooth grain of other cat litter types.

Pine cat litter can be the best choice for you and your cat. It does most, if not everything that you would expect from an excellent cat litter. It is a good absorbent and deodorizer. It is easy to clean up and can even have other uses after consumption. It is safe for your health and that of your cat’s. Most of all, it is environment friendly, so you do not have to worry about contributing to the deterioration of the planet.

The next time you buy cat litter for your feline friend, consider getting pine cat litter. It is good for you cat, good for you, and good for the planet. What more can you ask for?

How to Solve Litterbox Problems in Multi-cat Homes

When we have only one cat and she misses the litterbox, it can be hard to fix. When we have more than one cat in the house, it can be even harder.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help stop litter box problems in a multi-cat home. first of all, act fast. A litter box problem that continues for a long time can become harder and harder to solve. Litter box mistakes can lead to territorial responses, and disturb the routines and hierarchies of your entire household.

Will Muffin still want to take her daily afternoon snooze on the couch if Tiger urinated there? She may find some other area, displacing more and more of your cats, and creating fighting and other dominance displays. If you put off solving the problem, hoping it will go away on its own, you may find it multiplying in your home.

Find the culprit. Before you even try to determine the “why,” figure out the “who.” If you catch it early enough, you can hopefully nail it down to one cat. Many people like to isolate each cat to determine which cat is causing the problem, but displacing one cat, even overnight, can sometimes lead to dominance displays in the others, as they claim undefended territory.

If you have new cats, or kittens reaching adulthood, you may want to visit the vet for help. Your veterinarian can prescribe fluoresce in for your cats, helping you to determine which urine stain(s) glow under an ultraviolet light.

Rule out a Veterinary Problem. Veterinary causes underlie many litter box problems, particularly in household with older cats or those with access to the outdoors. Urinary tract infections are one of many common causes, where the cat develops an aversion to the box as a painful place to be. Other health problems can also cause litterbox mistakes.

Worse, without visiting the veterinarian, your other cats may be at risk, which could cause the problem to multiply. No behavior techniques in the world will help a cat with a veterinary problem, so don’t skip the trip to the vet.

Observe the Behavior. If the vet rules out a health problem, I next recommend a brief observation period. It’s always very frustrating to the owner to let the cat continue his litter box mistakes, but it gives you the knowledge to attack the specific problem.

During the observation period, try to concentrate on the things in the environment that may be important to your cat, like litter boxes, food bowls, favorite places, the routines of the other cats and people in the home, etc. Start a journal where you record as much information as you can about every litterbox mistake, then look for links.

Does the cat always use the same room? Is it always on carpeting? Does it happen after meals, or at some other time of day? Are the other cats nearby? Did you have guests over? When you isolate the specific stimuli involved, it allows you greater control without making major changes in the environment that may upset the rest of the cats.

Break the Habit. Elimination sites are matters of preference, and when the cat gets into the routine of going to a certain location, you’ll need to prevent the behavior from recurring. Since the smell of declining urine is a signal for the cat to “reapply,” clean the accident site with a pet odor remover – perhaps multiple times to get past the cat’s sensitive nose.

Block off the area while the product does its work. Remote deterrents, that work whether you are around or not, will keep the cat from returning to the area whenever you aren’t standing guard. Double-sided tape or an upside-down plastic carpet runner, pointy feet up, can keep your cat from standing in the same area.

Cats also hate to be startled, so anything that can safely surprise the cat when he visits that area can help make the area less “cat-friendly.”

Make the current litter box more appealing. While you are preventing bad habits, make good habits more appealing. The litter box should be clean, have privacy, and in multi-cat homes, escapability is also important.

This simply means that the cat can see off a distance, so he won’t be ambushed in the box, or on his way there. Most cats prefer clumping, non-perfumed litter, but work with your individual cat to determine whether a box of a different size, shape, or litter would help.

Retrain the cats. If it doesn’t seem to help to address the individual factors in your journal, or your cat has never regularly used the litterbox, you may want to retrain the cat by himself.

Use this as a last resort, since removing the cat from the hierarchy may upset the routines of all the cats in the home. Keep the cat in a small, uncarpeted room, with a clean litterbox, food bowl, and toys in opposite corners. Pick up all rugs from the floor, so the only soft place to choose to eliminate will be the litterbox.

Visit the cat often, and clean the box regularly. I also recommend recording the times that the cat uses the box.

Many cats stick to a regular routine, so once you’ve determined when the cat is likely to use the box, you can let the cat out during low-risk times to maintain the hierarchy, and put him back in the room with the litter box during high risk periods. Repetition of successful use will increase the cat’s preference to the box.

General stress reduction. In some situations, it’s difficult to determine specific environmental triggers for a problem behavior. However, sometimes general stress reduction techniques will prove helpful, particularly in multi-cat homes.

For litter box problems that have arisen from territorial disputes, additional resources may reduce competition for resources.

Extra litter boxes and food bowls are always helpful, but remember that YOU are also an important resource, so give each cat as much attention as they could possibly want. Exercise can also help redirect cats energies. It can also help desensitize cats to each other, while they are praised for attacking a toy while the other cat watches.

Routines are also very important in multi-cat homes, particularly when older cats are involved. Scheduled feeding, petting and exercise periods at the same time and location every day can further reduce stress that may be contributing to the litter box problem.

Litter box problems in multi-cat homes can be difficult. However, caring responsible owners can have an advantage solving the problem with they use quick, decisive actions and apply solid behavioral techniques.

Choosing the Right Litter Box for Your Cat

Household pet cats definitely need litter boxes in which they do their business. Just like people, these feline friends can get finicky over this matter, so it is very important that they make sure the litter box they have for their pet cat suits the cats preferences; after all, it is the cat that is going to use it. But the owner should also consider his own convenience regarding this matter; he should consider his budget for the cat box as well as the ease of cleaning it.

Choosing the perfect cat box can be beneficial to both your cats health as well as the owners. The important thing is that the cat box must be appealing to the cat and comfortable for use. Rest assured, the cat’s satisfaction also guarantees success.

In finding the perfect cat box, here are some things that must be considered:

Size and Depth

This maybe determined by the number of cats there are in the home. However, it is ideal if the number of cats in the home determines the number of cat boxes available rather than the size. For kittens, shallow cat boxes, no more than three inches deep are advisable. For adult cats on the other hand, those about six inches high are desirable. The prescribed area of the litter box is at least 24 inches in length or width.

Material of the Box

Heavy and durable plastic is the most advisable material for a cat box and is also the most inexpensive variety in stores. Plus with their simplicity in style, cleaning can prove to be a breeze.

Ease of Cleaning

Basic flat boxes are easy to clean because of their simple design. There is no need to remove any lids or covers to scoop or clean. However, some cats frequently kick litter out of the box so if you choose this option, you had better have a whisk broom and a dust pan always at hand.

Covered boxes usually minimize the trouble of having cat litter and waste scattered outside the box since they have hoods which keep all the litter inside. Covered boxes also tend to become stinky due to poor ventilation.

There are also those self-cleaning cat boxes available in the market. The self-cleaning feature of these boxes keep the cat box neat and tidy, but they also require some cleaning  from the owner. Every few days the receptacle must be emptied of urine and feces and sometimes the rake does not get every bit of cat waste so there may be an occasional need for scooping them out.

Style and Features

There is a wide variety of designs, styles and features for cat litter boxes. The owner may have to choose which one will be most convenient for him and his cat.. Below are listed some basic designs for cat litter boxes:

-Basic flat box. This is the simple rectangular pan which is commonly made of plastic. They come in different depths, sizes and colors. This design is preferred by most cats. An innovation to this design whose is to hold the cat box liners in place by securing them under the rim.

-Covered cat boxes or hooded litter boxes. These cat litter boxes look like the traditional open-type rectangular pans except for the addition of the hood which partly covers the box. An opening is situated at one end of the box which serves as the entrance and exit way for the cat. The hood is also positioned high enough so that the cat can stand and do its job with ease and comfort. While they provide “privacy” for the pet, they tend to get very smelly because of poor ventilation inside. Manufacturers of this type of cat boxes have offered a solution to this problem. Some variants of the hooded type have vents on top plus a filter which aids in trapping odors. For this type of cat box, it is recommended that you choose one that is large enough to accommodate the pet, has a hood which can be easily maneuvered for easy cleaning, and large vents.

-Designer boxes. Also known as “hidden boxes”, this type of litter box disguises itself as a furniture piece or even a plant. A designer litter box not only serves to be the cat’s convenient toilet but it can also function as an accent for the room in which it is located. Although the containers are commonly not large enough, there are designs which are big and more open. These are the ones which are more ideal for use. Try to find one which provides good ventilation.

-Sifting Boxes. A few other variants of this type are available in the market but the basic model consists of two rectangular pans and a tray which acts as a sifter.

-Self-cleaning box. These electrical-powered high-end litter boxes work with a sensor which activates the self-cleaning machinery a few minutes after the cat has left the box. The cleaning machinery contains a rake which works its way along the litter to scoop out cat pee and poop into a waste receptacle. There is still the need to occasionally clean the unit, especially the cleaning mechanism itself.

Cost

The basic flat box is the most affordable of all the designs mentioned. The self-cleaning box is obviously the most expensive and their guarantee commonly lasts for only one year. This can be a risk which the owner must consider before actually buying a unit.

Appealing to the Cat

Cats generally do fine with the open box type. Covered boxes offer the “privacy” which some cats like but some cats feel trapped inside them. Owners of designer boxes may find it attractive to put them in places where they will be most appreciated. However, they must be sensitive to the fact that cats most often opt to do their business in a place which is quiet and safe. As for the automated self-cleaning cat litter boxes, some finicky cats may find them comfy since they are clean and spacious. However, they may get psyched out by the mechanical action if they chance to see it actually happen. They might be afraid of using the unit again.

Finding the perfect cat litter box may be a hard task and may require experimentation on the part of the owner. If the owner tries out a box which his pet really does not like, he should not insist on the cat using it. Though this experimentation may become tedious, it can be necessary to find the perfect box for your cat. Providing the cat its preferred litter box can bring good health and satisfaction to both owner and pet, and the carpet as well!

What Causes Odors In Your Home?

The most common cause of home odors is pets. While your dog or cat might smell fine to you, chances are good that they may not smell as great to those who don’t live with them each day. If you’re taking the time to care for the fur on your pets and to clean up after their messes, you’re certainly on the right track. But if you’re still noticing that sometimes your pet lingers long after they leave the room, you might have an odor problem to fix. This is especially important, too, if you have friends or family members with allergies. That scent can be a sign that there is dander and other pet particles floating in the air, ready to set off a sneezing attack.

Another common need for odor removal is smoke from cigarettes and pipes. While the smoke seems to go away from the room, this smoke’s scent will linger in rooms, causing there to be a buildup of ash and other particulates in the air. This can be harmful to those with breathing troubles, as well as harmful to those who are in the rooms on a regular basis. Sometimes the smoke will simply linger, potentially causing problems with secondhand smoke, even after the cigarette has been put out.

A group of materials that can also cause troubles with residential odors are those things you might not even think of – bacteria, molds, and viruses. Though you cannot see these problem-causers, they can make your air quality poor and increase your chances of becoming ill or of having breathing issues. These particles can collect in the air for a number of reasons, and even if you clean constantly, they can linger until they are completely destroyed.

You might not be able to see all of the odors in your home, but they can still cause troubles if you don’t take care of them. No matter the cause of your residential odor troubles, you need to have someone come out to help your home smell clean and fresh again. Not only will you make your home’s odors disappear, but you might also notice that some of your lingering health troubles also dissipate. And when you have a completely clean home, you can continue to be healthy.

Take Out Spots and Odors Easily and Get Your Carpet Cleaner

Finding the right carpet for your home isn’t easy so it is important to have it look brand new at all times through a proper maintenance program. Let’s face it, you know carpet is not inexpensive, and a dirty spot can stand out in the room. With any spill and there is a possibility of permanent damage you like to remove it as quickly as possible. Pets and kids can be the biggest culprits to messing your carpets. Sometimes every time you turn around, a new stain can cause permanent damage. However, not to worry; there is an easy solution for these marks. Getting odors, spills and spots out of your carpets can seem overwhelming but there are a few tips and tricks you can learn which helps to keep them looking beautiful.

When you get odors in your carpet from pets and people smoking in your house, an odor remover sprayed on the carpet or carpet fresh can sometimes work fantastic. On the other hand, there are times when excessively strong odors are too overwhelming for a light spray or sprinkle of carpet fresh. For these times, you need a different solution. You can mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a bottle and spray the carpet to get rid of the odor. Vinegar is amazing because it is a bactericide and it absorbs the odors and leaves the carpet free of odors.

When you have pet odors in the carpet from urine, you should try to eliminate the uric acid, which can be the cause of the smell. If you are contending with dried urine, there is a good chance it has crystallized in the carpet under pad. After you spray a mixture of vinegar and water on the carpets, you can apply baking soda to the area, and work it into the carpet pile with a brush. After you leave it to absorb into the carpet you then vacuum the carpet. If it’s a tough stain, it may take more than one treatment. If these homemade solutions don’t work, there are great products on the market that eliminate odors. These products will remove urine odors. Most people find it works for them. Just make sure to follow the instructions thoroughly to avoid any new problems popping up.

Larger stains can be harder to eliminate. Even though there are great stain removers on the market, you can find some great home remedies that work for a small portion of the price. Salt can help you remove a stain and at the same time leave your carpet brighter. With any stain, pour some table salt on it after you have cleaned it and let the salt soak up the residue. When this dries, you simply vacuum away the salt. This step gives your carpet a look of being fresh and new.

Occasionally the stain penetrates down to the under pad, and you need to treat it. This is a solution when you work from the bottom up by lifting the carpet. Use a mixture of dish detergent and water, and clean the under pad. Let the dirty water run out of the carpet, and when the under pad is clean you turn the carpet over and use the same method from the top. Using baking soda or salt after you have cleaned the spot will pull any residue of the stain out of the carpet.

If you remove spots on your carpets immediately when they appear and don’t allow the odors to remain, you can keep them looking and smelling good for years to come! You will get many more years out of the carpets following this procedure.

Cornish Rex – the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know

The Cornish Rex breed began as a happy accident of nature. A genetic mutation in a liter of kittens born in the 1950s in Cornwall, United Kingdom, resulted in kittens that had extremely fine and curly down for hair, not the typical thick coat like most breeds of cat. Even the whiskers were curly! Breeders were struck by this, and decided to selective breed this trait through inbreeding and crossbreeding. Many other breeds of cat were used during this period so the ‘coat’ on a Cornish Rex comes in many colors and patterns.

They are small to medium sized cats with a very slender appearance and live roughly thirteen years. Though they may feel heavier than they look, Cornish Rexes are very thin boned and have lean muscles. A Cornish Rex may also have a peculiar odor that some describe as ‘cheesy’, this odor is produced from scent glands in the paws.

Many people think a Cornish Rex makes a good pet for those with allergies, but they do shed somewhat (though far less compared to most other breeds) and will groom themselves regularly. Cornish Rexes make excellent pets as they enjoy being with humans and are social, playful, curious and affectionate. Though very active at times, they do enjoy taking breaks and a Cornish Rex can often be found curled up on the couch or in a lap.

Though they like being pet and groomed, due to the nature of the coat, Cornish Rexes should not be brushed too roughly, as this can damage the hairs. They get cold easily and should be kept indoors. Additionally, Cornish Rexes can be prone to baldness, a disorder known as hypotrichosis.

There is a website that has great information on Cornish Rex and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

What is Pine Cat Litter?

As people look for more healthful ways to handle the issue of proper cat hygiene in the home, pine cat litter may be a good solution. But what is cat pine litter and how is it a better alternative than all the solutions already on the market. Here are a few things you should know about cat litter made with pine that may entice you into giving the product a try.

Pine based cat litter is a natural alternative, much like many clay based litters. However one of the ways in which the pine type of litter differs from the clay is the number of additives that are infused into the litter to help it eliminate odors. The fact of the matter is that pine can not only absorb the liquid but also the odors without the need to add various chemicals to the process. What this means is that you have a product that is truly natural with just a minimum of chemicals added. Also, the pine scent does not just mask the strong ammonia scent of cat urine. The pine effectively kills the smell as it absorbs the moisture, and continues to emit a pleasing scent of pine

Pine cat litter also has the distinction of not creating the dust and off fly that is associated with some forms of cat litter. The lack of dusty residue is pleasing to many people, in that persons who are concerned with health risks associated with some forms of cat litter that do kick up quite a bit of dust don’t have to worry about this happening. As an example, pine litter does not contain silica quartz or sodium bentonite, two of the chemical compounds that are in clumping cat litter. Both of these are purported to be health hazards, especially in regard to respiratory problems and cancer. With neither of these chemicals present, and with no dust residue to deal with, pine litter is a great alternative.

Finding pine litter is not hard to do. While not all supermarkets carry it, you should be able to find the pine variety in all major stores associated with major pet shop chains, as well as with a number of independently owned pet shops. Generally, you will find the price competitive with other types of litter, so the difference in cost will be minimal at best.

Pine cat litter has a lot going for it. With a fresh scent that lasts for a long time, excellent absorbing ability, the lack of dust residue and the absence of chemicals that appear to be health risks, pine litter is a great alternative for your home and pet.

Automatic Cat Litter Boxes – Worth it Or Not?

If you hate the chore of scooping cat litter just to keep the odor and germs at bay, you may be interested to know that automatic cat litter boxes can significantly cut down on the work involved. These robotic trays are ideal for busy lifestyles as well as elderly pet owners. People with disabilities can also benefit from the ease of use and extra help from the unit.

Are you ready to kick your old box to the curb and try out this amazing new gadget? Read on to learn more about this exciting new technology and how it can help you keep kitty’s area clean with ease.

The benefits of using a self cleaning cat box are many. First, you have to consider the odor control factor. If it were humanly possible to scoop up after each use of the litter box, it’s unlikely that you would ever have a problem with litter box smells. Unfortunately, most of us are entirely too busy to follow kitty’s every move and clean up immediately after every trip to the box. The automatic litter box is a tireless creation and most models run around the clock, cleaning waste after every use so you don’t have to. This makes for a significant decrease in smell coming from the litter box and may even make it possible to keep the box in places you otherwise wouldn’t want to.

On average, an automatic cat litter box only needs attention once a week or so. This regular maintenance consists of cleaning the waste out of the storage area and adding litter if needed. Be careful when choosing a pan and note whether it uses ordinary clumping litter or requires you to purchase special litter. Different units have different requirements, and special litter can be more costly than basic litter.

If you are shopping for an automatic litter box, you will have quite a number of choices. There are different brands and models for every possible need or budget. Some are more basic wile some even resemble a human potty! Most models are designed to accommodate households with multiple cats. Keep in mind that self cleaning boxes are not recommended for small kittens, although they are perfectly safe for older cats.

The only drawback to most leading brands is that they all make some noise as they complete their cleaning cycle. If kitty needs to use the box during this time, they may initially have difficulty using the box with this noise. Fortunately over time most all cats adapt to the box and its noises and functions and have no problem using it.

Should you invest in an automatic cat litter box? Absolutely! Many cat owners consider their self cleaning pans to be worth their weight in gold. Not only will you make the nasty chore of cleaning up after kitty’s business easier on yourself, but your pet will enjoy an always fresh box too and thats just healthier all around. You never know, you just might find that your self cleaning litter box is the best investment you’ve ever made!

How to Choose the Right Cat Litter

The one thing I notice when I go to cat care forums and that is how many times I should change my cat box. It all depends on how many cats you have and what kind of cat litter you use. . If you have two cats, you will want to change the cat box at least every other day. If you have one cat, I would suggest changing the cat box two times a week.

What type of cat litter should I use? Well, 90% of purchased in the USA are clay based litter. There are two types of clay based cat litter: a fine-textured clumping clay litter and a coarser non-clumping clay litter. However, clay based is not the only kind of cat litter out there. You have littler that is newspaper, wood chips, wheat, corn, and soybeans to name a few. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you are looking for cat litter.

Does is clump well? Can you scoop it?

How absorbent is the litter?

Is it easy to keep clean in the litter box?

Does it stick to the bottom of the litter box?

Is it dusty?

Biodegradable?

Is it digestible and non-toxic if it eaten?

How much does it cost?

Does it have good odor control?

Tips on choosing cat litter for general use:

Easy to clean

Scoopable

Not to dusty

Doesn’t track

Good odor control

Affordable

Simple Techniques to Removing Spots and Odors in Your Carpets

Carpets are the best at absorbing sound and creating a relaxing environment for your home. They talk to you through their designs and colors, and they help you maintain the beauty and elegance of your home. Between kids, guests, and pets your carpets withstand a lot of wear and tear. By far the most cunning enemies of a clean carpet, pets and kids can dirty an otherwise clean carpet in no time flat. Whether it’s pets, kids, or visitors, your carpet traps all the dirt tracked into the house day after day, year after year.

No matter how hard you try, the carpets will develop spots from spills, odors from pets and cooking, as well as indentations from furniture. Knowing how to remove and solve these problems can help you maintain your sanity.

Don’t believe that there are “stain-proof” carpets. Such a thing has not yet been invented. Many modern carpets are very stain-resistant, but this is not the same as stain-proof. Generally, this just means that the stain will take longer to set, so you have more time to get the spill or spot cleaned up.

When working on a spot or stain don’t scrub the stain, this will only weaken the carpet fibers and cause the stain to spread. When trying to remove a spot in your carpets, start with a little water and a mild cleaning solution. Spray a mixture on the area and work at the spot from the outside in by gently blotting it with a soft white cloth. This method will work for many spots but it is important not to get the area too saturated.

Liquid can wash the spot to the bottom of the carpet and when the carpet has dried the liquid works its way back up the fibers to the top of the carpet, causing it to look like the stain has reappeared. One simple trick to prevent this from happening is to pour salt on the area after you have cleaned the spot. The salt will absorb any residue that’s left in the carpet and when it has dried you can vacuum up the salt. This usually prevents spots from reappearing in the carpet.

One of the biggest problems you will run into in your home if you have pets is removing the stains and odors from your carpeting. I would not use anything else on the stained area except for an enzyme based urine cleaning product that has been proven to clean cat urine stains completely. Look for a product that includes a black light so you don’t miss any spots, and be sure to follow the directions exactly as many people buy a urine remover, ignore the directions and then complain that it didn’t work.

If the stain has seeped through the carpet into the underpad you will have to lift the carpet and work directly on the underpad. Any products that remove odors have to make direct contact with the urine. The uric acid in the urine crystallizes when dry and it is these crystals that cause the odor. Sprays, perfumes or plug-ins will not solve your odor problem. You need a product to digest the odor to eliminate the problem permanently. These odor digesters will also work on other odor causing problems in your carpet as long as they make contact with the smell.

When you rearrange the furniture in your home, the one thing that can drive you crazy are the indentations in the carpet from the furniture. One easy way to remove these marks is to spray a little water on this area. Cover it with a towel and iron the mark. Remove the towel and use a fork to work up the carpet pile until the indentations have disappeared. Just repeat the steps if necessary until the marks have disappeared forever.

Following these simple suggestions can help you maintain the beauty and elegance of your home. They will keep the carpets looking and smelling great which will increase the lifespan of your carpets.