TOP 5 FIXES WHEN PET POOP AND KITTY KAKA MAKE YOUR CARPETS FUNKY

For many, the joy of owning pets far outweighs the regular maintenance required to clean up after them. But that doesn’t mean pet owners should have to live in a smelly house. With a little regular cleaning, fast reaction and a few proactive ideas, you can enjoy your pets and have clean carpets, too.

**1**Vacuum at least three times a week – The thought of vacuuming that much might make you cringe, but by doing so, you’ll keep dirt, bacteria and hair from burrowing in and attaching to your carpet fibers. Keep in mind that it might only be necessary to vacuum the areas your pet frequents most often.

**2**Use special treatments – Enzyme treatments are very effective whenever Fido has an “accident” on the carpet, or little Kitty can’t make it to the linoleum with her little “presents” (otherwise known as hairballs – yack).  These treatments are readily available at most pet stores. Good Housekeeping recommends a product called, Nature’s Miracle.

**3**While an area is being cleaned, keep your pet away -- The end results will be much better if the little “odor causers” aren’t allowed into the area while it’s wet or freshly cleaned. TIP: place tin foil or a plastic bag on the floor that will make a noise to startle your pet if they try to walk into the area. They will probably avoid it for a while.

**4**Machine wash sheets and blankets  – The Humane Society of the United States recommends adding a one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent, and air dry if possible. If this task is just too much to handle, bring those big, bulky items like comforters, blankets and pillows to us at Crescent Cleaners, and we’ll take care of them for you (you DID know that your beloved dry cleaner also does household items, didn’t you?)

**5**Hide the litter box – Southern Living got this idea from a house in New Orleans where the owner cut a cat-size hole in a lower cabinet. Your cat will have a private space that your family won’t have to see or smell as much. Just don’t forget to clean it out every day, or you’ll have an unhappy kitty!

Ok, you all are a creative bunch, so tell us what we missed. What special tricks do YOU use to keep your carpets relatively clean of your beloved fur babies’ natural “sheddings”?  

DeAnn Soults, Certified Professional Drycleaner