Getting pet stains out of furniture, rugs and off of flooring can be a decidedly unpleasant task.

Should you use a homemade cleaner made of vinegar, or purchase a commercial cleaner?

The most important aspect of cleaning a pet stain, is to be able to remove the urine or feces completely. Having any residue left produces two problems. One is that the stain will still have an odor. You think that stain was cleaned properly, yet after a bit of time, the odor is making itself known again... Number two is that if you can smell it, so can your cat or dog (and even if you can't smell it anymore, they can!) 

 Cats and dogs will instinctively go on the same spot again. Failing to completely remove ALL organic material sets you, and your pet, up for future failure, not to mention a pattern of which your pet routinely uses your rug, couch or bed as their bath room.

If the pet stain has soaked into a mattress, couch or other furniture or into your carpet, and into the padding underneath a commercial cleaner containing bacteria that will consume all traces of the urine/poo/vomit is by far the best option. Not only are those cleaners easy to use, without the need to lift your carpet in order to get to the padding and floor boards underneath, they are also very effective.

While vinegar may be a less expensive option at a first glance, a commercial cleaner will pay for itself many times over.

Here are two brands we feel comfortable recommending:

   Anti Icky Poo.
   Nature's Miracle

Both of these brands get consistent good consumer reviews.

So, you've found a pet stain, what do you do first?

Try to blot up as much of the urine as you can. Once your towels remain dry when pressed into the spot, add a small amount of water and continue blotting.  Repeat a number of times.  Be cautious not adding too much water at once. The last thing you need is for the stain to spread and become larger beneath the surface.

Then, use a commercial cleaner to eliminate all traces of the pet stain. Beware of commercial cleaners that only mask the smell by perfumes, or charcoal, or other chemicals attempting to trap the noxious gases.  You need to remove the urine. Not put perfumes on top in a futile attempt to mask the odors.