The best way to fix a disaster is by preventing it in the first place. However, lives do get in the way and it is not possible to be at your pet’s beck and call. Every pet owner goes through the same, so don’t worry about it, it’s inevitable. Fortunately, there are ways to take precaution from beforehand.
For your dogs: You can purchase an entry mat with rubber backing and place it in front of your door. Do make sure to check once in a while for dampness. If you are off at work every day, and your pet is stuck at home, then it is best to get a pet pad which is disposable so that your little friend is free to do their business whenever needed.
For your cats: You could try placing your cat’s litter box on top of a tray that is shallow yet can hold the urine, such as a boot tray. This will also effectively reduce litter tracking.
How to clean pet stains on your laminate floors:
Cleaning Fresh Stains: Unfortunately, using prevention techniques does not mean that you will never have to clean the messes left by your furry friends. On the bright side, cleaning laminate floors are easy enough as they hold great against cleaners that are non-abrasive. Therefore, once you wipe the mess clean, you can use any homemade floor cleaner to finish the job. Do remember that your pet’s urine and feces must be treated right away or else it may leave permanently mark your floors.
Cleaning Older Stains: A downside of all of this is that stains aren’t always obvious, and you probably won’t come across them until much later, for instance, when you are in the process of moving a rug, or cleaning out the litter box and see a stain underneath.
Now, not only are you left having to deal with a very old stain, but also an unpleasant smell that you will have to work to get rid of. Which is why treating old stains require a few more extra stains compared to fresh ones:
Step 1: With a damp cloth, wipe the affected area and remove as much of the surface stain as possible. Dry the area completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Sprinkle some baking soda over the stained area and use a brush with soft bristles (an old toothbrush will work) to get to the mess in between planks. You should not scrub the area as it may cause the protective layer to come off. Let the baking soda sit like that for a couple of minutes. It will soak up any moisture remaining.
Step 3: Give a light spray of white vinegar on top and let them both do their magic. The combination of white vinegar and baking soda will help the stains to dissolve and lift while the vinegar neutralizes the smell.
Step 4: Wipe with a dry cloth and then spray another layer of vinegar to dissolve any leftover baking soda. Dampen a clean cloth and wipe again to remove the vinegar.
Step 5: Using low heat, blow dry the area to dry it as soon as possible. Remember not to oversaturate as it will wrap the laminate. And if there is any urine remaining on the subfloor, repeat the above steps the next day after letting the floors completely dry.
Step 6: Use a refinishing kit if required.
