Can carpet cleaning remove cat urine?

Although we can generally greatly improve the stain and odor, replacement is the only way to guarantee 100% remediation. Professional carpet cleaning can effectively remove some cat urine stains and odors with proper techniques and enzymatic cleaners. Unfortunately, and all too often, it can penetrate the backing of the carpet and into the padding and subfloor, which can require replacement. The amount of urine present in the carpet has a significant influence on whether it can be removed. If an animal has used the carpeting as its personal litter box for an extended period, replacement would be recommended. Due to the complexity of treating pet urine, we can't make any guarantees of stain or odor removal.

While all pet urine isn't great for carpeting, cat urine is especially problematic because it's much more concentrated than dog urine. Unfixed male cats have the worst-smelling urine, as the testosterone presence is extra stinky. If you've ever thought cat urine smells worse than dog urine, you were right, and that is why! Unfortunately, the smellier an odor is, the more challenging it is to fully remove.

We love pets and are pet owners ourselves. We customize our pet treatments for each job after performing an on-site assessment. Our cleaning engineers will first determine the extent of the urine through visual inspection and confirm its presence with a moisture probe or a UV light. We will then develop a custom treatment plan using specialized cleaning techniques and pet-safe enzymatic cleaners designed to break down and neutralize the components of the urine, eliminating visible stains and underlying odor. As previously mentioned, we can't guarantee the complete removal of stains and odor, but we've had great success with our process throughout the 55+ years we've been in business.

If you're dealing with cat urine stains or odors and are located in San Luis Obispo County, contact us for a FREE pre-inspection to restore the cleanliness and freshness of your carpets.

Can carpet cleaning cause mold?

If you don’t know what you’re doing, you definitely can. Professional carpet cleaning services from a reputable company with an experienced technician will not cause mold. Carpeting that remains damp for an extended period can create an environment conducive to mildew or mold growth. Proper drying and ventilation are key for mold prevention, along with good cleaning practices and techniques.

Reputable companies utilize techniques and equipment throughout the cleaning process to thoroughly extract moisture from the carpeting and facilitate drying. Our company uses high-powered fans while we clean to expedite the drying process. Since airflow is essential for moisture extraction, opening windows and utilizing ceiling fans are important (provided it's not raining and water could get inside the open window). Humidity regulation may be necessary as well to facilitate the drying process. Letting the carpet completely dry before shutting the home up for an extended period is essential, as moisture does need somewhere to go. Proper cleaning techniques, adequate ventilation, and controlled humidity post-cleaning reduce mold development risk.

DIY (do-it-yourself) carpet cleaning practices carry a far greater risk of mold development. Inexperienced people with good intentions tend to use far too much water and equipment that isn't powerful enough to extract the amount of liquid used thoroughly. When individuals try to clean their carpeting at home, they often use so much water that they penetrate the backing of the carpeting, which gets into the padding and subfloor underneath, and that's when the big problems begin. Liquids that have reached the padding of your carpeting (water, pet urine, laundry soap, soda, etc.) cause problems that most often require replacement. It's also the most likely place mold can develop since the moisture has nowhere to go, creating a perfect breeding ground for this unhealthy organism.

When you choose a reputable professional carpet cleaning service and take action to facilitate the drying process, such as opening windows, utilizing ceiling fans, and allowing the carpet to dry completely before shutting the home up for an extended period, you will not have mold issues. When you use DIY methods (or inexperienced cleaners), mold development is more of a risk.

If you have a pet in the home, here is one trick to keep your carpeting and flooring cleaner. 🐩 🐕

Create a pen in front of your doggie door to restrict your pet to a designated area when it enters the home (if there's carpeting right in front of the doggie door, you could put a washable bath mat or puppy pad to keep that area clean as well). When your pet comes inside, you will then get the opportunity to wipe those doggie paws with a towel or some wipes (they make special paw wipes) to prevent the tracking of mud and other outdoor debris onto your freshly cleaned floors. 🐾

Stairs Need Special Attention

Since stairs receive a lot of foot traffic, they accumulate soil much more quickly than other areas. These common areas had seen better days, but they looked terrific after a professional cleaning!

Does anyone remember this ad in the phone book?

This ad was used in the 1990s and is my favorite, though I admit I may be biased since it features yours truly. 😉

Many people don't realize that we are the ORIGINAL carpet cleaners of San Luis Obispo and the county. We've been in business the longest, 55 years this year. 🤯 While we have decades of experience, our company is constantly evolving to provide the best service possible. Let us know if you're looking for professional carpet, upholstery, or tile cleaning. We are here for you! ❤️

Side note: Does anyone still use the phone book?