AboutBern Expertise Anything about carpet cleaning, stretching, removing, and re-installing. I can answer questions about pet stains and odors and mold problems. I can tell you how to remove Kool-aid type stains and how to know when to give up and call a pro.
Experience I have been cleaning carpeting for 26 years.
Education/Credentials IICRC certified in cleaning, fire and flood restoration, pet odor, dying, and odor control.
Question Hi! Our 12 year old female cat (who was fixed years ago) urinated many times in our hallway. It is carpeted. Unfortunately, we did not realize it until it was dry. We have tried Nature's Miracle (letting it soak all the way thru the pad), Stink Free Cat Urine Odor Remover, we rented a steam cleaning machine last week, and the smell is still going strong! The first two products claim to have enzymes but they still did not work even though we followed the directions exactly. Other than replacing the carpet, is there anything that really works? The smell is making me crazy!
Answer I always defer to women on odors as they have better olfactory glands than I do. It's just biological, so I won't insult you by asking if the odor is really still there.
On the Nature's Miracle etc. There SHOULD be a time. USUALLY 14 DAYS. That you should allow it to work. The best thing to do is to rinse the carpet thoroughly with NO SHAMPOO in the machine. What you want is to use the hottest water you can get from your tap and about 2 ounces of white vinegar per gallon of water. Let that dry THOROUGHLY and THEN try one of your enzyme treatments again. There is one sold at PETCO stores that I have had good luck with. Read the directions carefully. THIS IS NOT to be rinsed out. It should say allow 2 weeks or 10 days or 21 days etc. to work. If you do all I have described and wait the allotted time and you STILL have an odor your next step is to lift the carpet. Dispose of the cushion, clean the sub-floor and replace the cushion. This may or may not be something you are capable of doing on your own. BUT DO try the first part first. It may be that just the vinegar rinse will take care of it.
