Pet Cleaning Tips

If you have any additional pet stain remover questions that are not covered here, please don't hesitate to contact our highly educated staff of professionals here.

Why should urine be treated as soon as possible?

If you leave urine untreated, you may wind up with a difficult to remove yellow stain, or worse, loss of color pigment in carpet. Over time, urine salts become highly alkaline, and can bleach out your primary carpet dyes, starting with the weaker red and blue. So, you are left with a yellowish or off white discoloration. At this point, your only options are to dye or section the carpet.

What is urine?

Urine is made up of a concentration of waste products of metabolism such as urea, creatine and uric acid, along with detoxified substances. It may also contain a considerable amount of sodium chloride and other electrolytes. A component called urochrome gives it its characteristic yellow color.

Why does urine smell terrible?

Fresh urine does not actually have an unpleasant odor, but the ammoniacal odor of stale (old) urine is due to bacterial decomposition of the urea in the urine, as well as the bacterial excrement itself. Nature’s bacteria will continue to feed as long as there is a food source, and moisture. That is why the ammonia odor becomes stronger on humid days, or soon after the carpet has been wet cleaned. Nature’s bacteria are not efficient in totally consuming urine. They need the help of special, genetically engineered bacteria to accomplish total source removal.

How do I remove urine stains from my carpet?

Wet

To achieve the most successful removal of stains and related odors, it is important to address this problem as quickly as possible. For wet stains, use your deep cleaner to thoroughly deep clean the carpet fibers. Prepare a vinegar rinse to neutralize any leftover residue that may cause discoloration. To make a vinegar rinse, mix one part white vinegar to three parts water. Apply the rinse to the freshly cleaned area. Do not soak. Repeat the deep cleaning process with your machine, Ventilate the area well, using a fan blowing directly across the damp carpet to accelerate the drying process.

Dry

Older urine stains are difficult to remove, often leaving carpet fibers permanently discolored or with an unpleasant lingering odor. To clean older stains, use your deep cleaner to thoroughly deep clean the carpet fibers. Repeat the cleaning process several times. For best urine stain lifting and odor removal results, you should apply an enzyme-type product. BISSELL recommends applying a BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor Remover Product to break down organic residue. Saturate the carpet fibers, overlapping the edges of the stained area. Cover the area with a damp towel so that the area remains moistened for 24 to 48 hours. Repeat the cleaning process with your machine. Ventilate the area well, using a fan to accelerate the drying process.

How do I remove vomit stains from my carpet?

To achieve removal of vomit stains and related odors, it is important to address these types of problems as quickly as possible. For vomit stains, you will need your BISSELL Deep Cleaner, warm water (not hot), enzyme producing bacteria detergent (BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor Remover), and clean white paper/cloth towels. If the vomit stain has a lot of solid material, remove the excessive material with a blunt spoon or spatula. After the excess material is removed, use your BISSELL Deep Cleaner to rinse and extract the stain. Next, apply an enzyme producing bacteria detergent to the stained area. BISSELL Pet Stain & Odor Remover is an effective and easy to apply enzyme producing bacteria detergent. After applying an enzyme producing bacteria detergent, place clean, white, damp, paper/cloth towels over the treated stain, and let the enzyme producing bacteria detergent interact with the stain for 3-5 hours. After 3-5 hours, rinse with warm water. Remember it is very important not to over saturate your carpet. Use your BISSELL Deep Cleaner to rinse your carpet. Use a fan to expedite the drying process.

How do I remove feces stains from my carpet?

To start the feces stain removal process, first scrape up any excess material. Apply an enzyme producing bacteria detergent to the stain. The action of the enzymes will attack and loosen any left over residues. BISSELL PET STAIN & ODOR REMOVER works well as an effective and easy to use enzyme producing bacteria detergent. Cover the area with a damp towel and let the enzyme producing bacteria detergent work on the stain for 24 hours. Then, rinse with warm water. Use your BISSELL Deep Cleaner to aid in the rinsing and extraction process. Use a fan to expedite the drying process.

How do I remove bloodstains from my carpet?

When dealing with bloodstains, it is important to act quickly. Start the cleaning procedure by removing excessive material. Rinse the stain with cool water and blot with a white, clean, absorbent cloth towel. If you have a BISSELL Deep Cleaner, use cool water to rinse and extract as much of the stain as possible. Do not use warm or hot water as it may set the stain. Then, apply 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution to the affected area and gently agitate. Let the 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution interact with the stain for 5-10 minutes and blot dry with a white, clean, absorbent cloth towel. Again, if you have a BISSELL Deep Cleaner, use cool water to rinse and extract as much of the stain as possible. Next, apply BISSELL Pet Stain & Odor Remover to the stain area and cover the area with a damp towel for at least 24 hours. Finally, rinse the treated area with cool water and blot, or use your BISSELL Deep Cleaner to rinse and extract until dry as possible. Use a fan over the area to expedite the drying process.

How do I remove hairball stains from my carpet?

First, remove any solid material with a blunt object such as a spoon. Next, blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. Once you have blotted the liquid, take a damp white towel and place it over the stained area. Using a steam iron, place it over the damp towel for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove the steam iron and check the towel for transfer of dye. Repeat this procedure until dye is not longer visible on the towel. Rinse the area with hot water. Once the area has been rinsed, apply an enzyme-producing agent such as BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor Remover. Cover the area with a damp towel so it remains moist for at least 24 hours.

Is it safe to let my pets on the carpet after I have cleaned?

BISSELL’s products are water-based, but let them dry thoroughly before having pets contact them. This prevents dirt and odors from being tracked onto the damp, clean carpets. A fan blown across the floor can help dry carpet quickly.

Why does BISSELL add enzyme producing bacteria to the BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor Remover Trigger spray?

Enzyme producing bacteria is the natural yet effective way to completely and permanently remove urine, feces, and vomit from the cleaning surface. The bacteria in the BISSELL product feed on the messes until the messes and residue are completely consumed. Other products simply mask odors, or leave some residue, which allow stains and odors to re-appear with the addition of moisture.

Are the enzyme producing bacteria BISSELL uses safe around pets and kids?

Enzymes produced by these bacteria are non-pathogenetic environmental isolates, which speed up chemical reactions. For instance, they assist our own human digestive processes.

When should I use the BISSELL Pet Odor and Stain Remover trigger spray formula?

Use the BISSELL Pet Odor and Stain Remover on any spot or spill with undesired odor or residue. The enzyme action will break down and help clean residues and odors, leaving treated areas fresher and cleaner.

How are the BISSELL Pet formulas different than other BISSELL cleaning formulas?

The BISSELL Pet Formulas have an added ingredient; enzyme producing bacteria. Enzyme producing bacteria remove urine, feces, and vomit from the cleaning surface completely and permanently by consuming the food source. By removing the urine, feces, and vomit, bacteria have nothing left to feed on. Bacteria simply die off. If you didn’t remove the urine, feces, or vomit, new bacteria will eventually start feeding again with the addition of moisture.

Does the age of my pet make a difference in the strength of urine odors?

Yes, this is found to be true. In young pets, the kidneys are functioning perfectly, filtering much of the waste out of the urine. An older pet’s kidneys don’t filter as well, and the odor becomes more pronounced.

How do I locate urine stains if I can smell them, but cannot see them?

Professionals use black lights and sensors to locate the pet’s urine deposits. If you don’t have these tools, you may need to use your senses; sight, smell, touch. Black lights many be purchased at your local retailer.

Are BISSELL Formulas poisonous to humans or pets?

You should always use cleaners with care and according to labeled product instructions. BISSELL formulates, tests, and labels its cleaning products to be safe when used as directed on the product labels.

How do I remove the Grease & Oil Spot my pet leaves behind from lying on the carpet?

To clean areas where pet oils are a problem, perform a thorough cleansing with your deep cleaner. Use hot tap water. The area may need to be cleaned more than once. Then, use the BISSELL Pet Stain and Odor Remover to treat the area. The BISSELL Pet Odor and Stain Remover Formula is available for use with your BISSELL Deep Cleaners. Follow the directions listed on the label for best results. To expedite the drying, use a fan over the area.