Man's best friend can be a carpet's worst enemy. But with a few good tips and a little hard work, you can live together in harmony with your pets, maintain the beauty of your carpets and keep your floors clean.

One of the biggest problems people run into is the amount of hair that gets into the carpets, furniture, drapes and in other areas of the home. Take the time to brush your pet; even a shorthaired animal will shed.

The best place to brush is outdoors; if that is not possible, look for an area with bare floors. The point is to keep the hair in one controllable location instead of all over the house. It is then a lot easier to remove pet hair.

Keep your pet off the furniture; pets will leave tons of hair behind on your favorite chair, which will transfer to you and to other areas of your home. Put a stop to this by creating a special place just for your pet, and train them to use it.

Vacuum daily with a good-quality vacuum that will not clog easily with pet hair. Pets are losing hair constantly - especially indoor pets. Also, pets laying on the carpets and furniture transfer oils from their skin to these items. Dirt constantly comes in our home, not only by our pets but also by the people living in the home. Vacuuming frequently will keep this problem under control and make it easier to remove pet stains. The cleanliness in your home will improve dramatically.

Pet owners know that even well trained pets can occasionally have accidents. It is important to have a good enzyme cleaner on hand to remove pet stains. Available at any pet store, these cleaners are made to remove stains and odors in the furnishings or carpet.

For any pet stain the first step is to remove any solid particles first. Blot up as much moisture as possible with paper towels. For a simple household remedy, mix mild dish detergent and water in an empty spray bottle. Put a mixture of one-third vinegar and water in another spray bottle.

Start by spraying the dish detergent on the stain. Blot and use very gentle agitation to remove pet stain. Next spray the vinegar on the area and blot. The vinegar helps to break up the urine and is a bactericide. It contains agents that will kill bacteria and remove odors.

If the stain or odor persists, repeat these steps until the stain and odors are gone. To prevent any residue from returning, you should press down on the area with absorbent paper towels until you have removed as much moisture as possible. Pour a substantial amount of salt on the spot to absorb any residue that is left.

When the carpet is dry, vacuum up the remaining salt and you will find the stain and odor are gone. With pets it is important to deep clean the carpets every few months to keep the carpet cleaner. It also keeps them stain and odor free. You can either rent or buy a carpet cleaning machine or have them professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

Either way, if you follow these simple solutions you can keep your carpets looking clean and fresh for years to come.

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