Grandma Knew Best on a Clean, Pet Friendly House

There are so many products on the market today and while some work better than others, I personally prefer a natural remedy for the protection of my dogs and young children.

My Greyhounds, Shiraz (6) and Buffett (11), have had their share of accidents in the home. We had a friend's dog over recently and my eldest dog let this guest know who was boss and immediately marked her territory on our rug!

My dogs will chew grass on occasion only to come inside and aim their vomit on a rug, ignoring all the hardwood floors and tile that surround them. Or they get a nick on their skin and before we realize it, there is a trail of blood throughout the house and on the floors, rugs, carpet and bedding.

First, maybe you smell it, but can't figure out where your pet had their accident or decided to mark. Black lights have more of a purpose now than just for a 70's theme party. A black light will spot the "glow" of urine allowing you the first stop toward clean up.

For urine accidents, try a remedy from good ol' Grandma: White vinegar is both inexpensive and effective. You may want to crack a window before you begin.

First, wipe up and/or blot the mess with paper towels, whether it's on carpet or flooring.

Next, mix three parts water to one part white vinegar and you're ready to clean and desensitize the smell.

If it happened on wood floors or tile, simply wipe up, use the solution, and then mop.

If it took place on carpet, wipe up the mess, saturate the spot with your solution, then blot. Next, sprinkle baking soda over it and let it sit a little while. Mix together 3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of dish detergent. Sparingly sprinkle this on top of the baking soda, scrub with a brush, let it dry, and then vacuum away the stain and smell. This may need to be repeated.

If this sounds like to much to do, Bissell® Pawsitively Clean™ has a line of products to take care of the icky messes and hairy situations pet owners often come across.

I like Simple Solution because it's nontoxic and it's been effective on my stains and odors for urine, vomit, feces, and other items. It uses bacterial enzymes to rid the odor and detergents for the stain removal.