There are so many reasons why we love our pets. They’re cute, obviously. They’re genuinely excited to see us whenever we walk in the door. Even cats, believe it or not. For most of us they feel like a good friend or additional member of the family. That being said, there is one little reason we sometimes find it hard to love them. To put it delicately… accidents happen. Your little buddy is just an animal after all, and sometimes they forget where and when they’re supposed to use the bathroom. The result is a pain for you and a stain for your floor —and you’ve got to clean it up. Here are some easy remedies for dealing with pet stains on your floor.

Pet Stains On Carpet
The worst of the worst when it comes to stains. Carpet absorbs everything and can be really tough to clean even in the best of times. Pet stains on carpet can leave not only a visual reminder, but also an aromatic one.

To get rid of both problems, you’ll need to make a little homemade cleaning solution from vinegar and baking soda. It’s important to not combine the two. Instead, put a healthy amount of vinegar directly on the stain, then add a small amount of baking soda on top. If you place the vinegar on the baking soda it will cause a bubbly mess. Cover the area and let it sit for about a day as the cleaning and deodorizing gets to work. After that, uncover, make sure it’s dry, and vacuum what’s left.

If You Have Hardwood
While much easier to clean than carpet, hardwood is still subject to damage and staining from liquid pet stains. The other component of pet stains is salt, which can strip the finish from wood if left sitting for too long.

Hydrogen Peroxide can be used on stains that have been sitting for a prolonged period of time. Soak a cloth in hydrogen peroxide, rub into the stain, cover with plastic, and let sit for a few hours. This will remove most pet stains. Unfortunately, it can also remove the natural stain of the wood. To avoid this, there are some commercial stain removers that work well without lightening the color of the wood. Of course, cleaning up an accident as soon as possible is the best way to avoid long term staining.

If You Have Laminate
Laminate flooring is by far the easiest to clean when it comes to pet stains. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe up the area within the first 30 minutes and the problem will be solved. Laminate doesn’t abs