How To Protect Carpet from Pets In 5 Simple Steps

We all love our four-legged friends, but they can certainly test our patience when they leave a mess on our clean carpet. And don’t get me started on the hair and dander they leave in their wake!

However, as frustrating as it can be, it is super important that we protect our carpets properly to ensure that our furry friends don’t cause us problems down the track.

Why is it important to protect carpets from pets?

To increase the longevity of our carpets, we must take certain measures to protect the carpet from our pets. Cats will generally groom themselves more than dogs. However, they still shed fur as well as spread dander everywhere.

Unfortunately, fur and dander may cause allergies for some people if it is not cleaned up regularly. Furthermore, things like long nails can cause damage to the pile of your carpets, and pet urine can leave embarrassing stains and odours.

If you have a carpet that has been fostering some unwanted pet messes for too long, then there are steps we can take before cleaning which can help us to maintain the cleanliness of our carpets and reduce the time and stress involved in cleaning them.

How To Protect Your Carpet from Your Pets

1. Pick the Purrfect Carpet

Here are our recommendations when choosing a new carpet or replacing it.

Firstly, we suggest going for a cut pile, as pets’ paws get stuck in a loop pile which leads to more damage, making a real mess of your lovely flooring.

Try to pick a colour close to the shade of your pet’s fur, for obvious reasons! A slightly patterned carpet is also a great option.

Synthetic carpet is ideal (as opposed to natural fabric like wool) as it is much more resistant to stains. It is also best to try to purchase stain-resistant carpet as it will already contain a protective layer that has been applied to the fibres.

Vacuum your carpet at least once a week to target pet hair, dander, and general debris. Give any lounges your fur baby uses a once-over with a vacuum as well.

A HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum is highly beneficial if you have someone with allergies or asthma at home.

We also recommend having your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year if you have pets, as a professional will ensure adequate removal of pet dander, dust mites and any hard-to-remove stains and odours.

2. Take Urine Stains Seriously

Most people know that the longer pet urine sits on a carpet, the more difficult it is to remove the stain and the smell over time. However, the first thing most people do after a pet accident is to grab their favourite cleaning product and start scrubbing the stain.

Unfortunately, this often does more harm than good because most household cleaners don't remove stains or get rid of the odour.

Urine breaks down the surface tension in the carpet, broadening the affected fibres and making it easier for the stain to reach the subfloor. This makes it nearly impossible to remove it entirely. Here’s what you can try.

Then there’s the issue of that smell that just won’t disappear. Uric salts in the urine create that signature stench and can only be broken down with an enzymatic cleaner, such as Urine Free or Nature’s Miracle.

3. Protect Your Carpet

With older carpets, it is important to scotch-guard them for the fibres of your carpet to remain stronger and protect against potential stains. You will need to repeat this process after some time has passed so that you can maintain both structures as well as provide protection from new dirt or spills.

Ideally, this should be done professionally to ensure that all the fibres are treated properly. If you miss a spot doing it yourself, it will allow stains to get under the fibres that are treated. This means that the stains that do get past the scotch guarding can be harder to remove.

4. Rugs for Rufus

Consider lacing rugs in your pet’s high-traffic areas to prevent damage to your flooring – a rug is much easier to clean than your carpet and cheaper to replace if you need to.

If you must have your pet inside, discourage them from being on your carpeted areas by placing their things (bedding, toys, etc.) in other non-carpeted areas of the house.

Doormats made of straw or other slightly abrasive material at entranceways will stop some of the dirt your pet loves to bring inside.

5. Maintain Your Furry Friend

Keep your dog’s nails trimmed to minimise the damage they can do to your carpet and wipe paws clean with a microfibre hand mitt. Ensure your long-haired pets are as neatly cut as possible and brush your dog regularly with a brush suited to the breed.

If shedding is a problem, it may also help to pop a cover on your pet, particularly after a brush or bath. You may also need to be extra vigilant in cleaning up shed fur during the times of the year in which your pet is shedding.

Final Thoughts

If you are a pet owner, it is crucial to follow the tips outlined above. This will ensure you get the most out of your carpet while also keeping it cleaner for longer. This includes vacuuming your carpets as often and thoroughly as possible.

However, don't forget that vacuuming alone isn’t always enough. The best way to keep your carpets clean and fresh is by having them professionally cleaned once a year, at the very least.

Professional carpet cleaning is an excellent way to deep clean your carpets and removes not only fur and dander from your pets but also all the dirt which might be lurking within them. Professional deep cleaning will ensure that any dirt or allergens are removed from your carpet keeping it fresh and hygienic.

If you need to disinfect your carpet, please note that a moderate additional charge applies to disinfect the carpet backing and underlay through the injection of a specialised sanitising product and treat the stains (usually $35 per 15 minutes of treatment time).

The work required to lift the carpet, replace the underlay, and seal the subfloor is quite extensive and attracts a charge of $300 to $500 per room.

Choose Electrodry For Professional Cleaning Services in Your Home

If you are having trouble removing stubborn pet odours and stains or would even like to disinfect your carpets or rugs, then please get in contact with your Electrodry Carpet Cleaning technician for professional carpet cleaning services.

With specialised cleaning products on hand to treat all types of stains, Electrodry can return your carpet to its former glory.

Electrodry is Australia's most trusted and reliable carpet and home cleaning service. We are a family-owned business and have been around since 1983. Electrodry's exclusive cleaning systems, innovative cleaning products, and expert technicians ensure that we always provide the highest possible level of service to our clients.

Please call Electrodry today on 13 27 13 or make a booking online.