Cleaning Up the Three Ps: Puke, Poop, and Pee

2 min read • Leena Chitnis, Founder, Timberdog®

Is your pooch feeling sick and unable to run outside in time to relieve herself? Or has she become incontinent due to old age? I have owned pets my whole life and have come to know my fair share about odors and stains, as I have had to deal with various accidents over the years. I have perfected a three-step system to clean the affected carpet, upholstery, or sheets:

1. First pick up or lift the mess into a paper towel, or, if it's liquid, dab to absorb as much of the mess as you can into a heavy-duty paper towel. Do not rub the area.

2. Sprinkle baking soda on the area, followed by several, generous spritzes of vinegar. Allow to sit for 4-5 minutes. Take another paper towel to dab and repeatedly press the area. If that lifts most of the stain, you can then use a rag to *GENTLY* rub the area clean.

3. If a stain still persists, use Nature's Miracle on the area. Spray liberally. Allow to sit for 4-5 minutes. Then, with another rag, rub the area clean. You can rub and scrub with a bit more elbow grease now.

After this, I often use a clean, wet (with water) towel to wash the remaining baking soda, vinegar, and Nature's Miracle out, and let the area air-dry. The carpet may be stiff but after a dry vacuum it will return to its normal, pliable state.

If the dog vomited on bed sheets, you can follow the above steps, and use a stain remover before tossing the sheets into the wash. For white sheets, use bleach as well. 

For white carpets, I occasionally use a Tide stick to get rid of any faint stain that may be left over after cleaning. Do NOT use Tide sticks on colored carpets and always spot test before using it on any carpet.

This 3-step system has worked for me every time. I hope it helps you!

Photo credit: Matthew Henry

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