We all love our pets. And Western Washington is one of the most pet-loving regions in the entire country, which is great news for dogs and cats but sometimes not so great for your carpets, floors and upholstery. The culture here leans heavily toward outdoor living, hiking, and getting fresh air, and that lifestyle attracts a lot of pet owners. It’s not unusual for families in Puyallup, South Hill, and all across the region to have one or two dogs (or more), a couple of cats, or a full mix of furry companions.
Seattle and the surrounding areas are famously dog-friendly to the point where the city has even been known to have more dogs than children at certain times. With so many pet owners packed into the region, it’s no surprise that homes here deal with pet odors more often than places with lower ownership rates. Even the cleanest home can pick up lingering smells from muddy paws, rainy-day walks, and the occasional accident (although with certain breeds, it seems intentional….we’re talking to you Shih Tzus!)
Because so many households in Western Washington have pets, dealing with odors is a common part of daily life. That’s why cleaning tips, odor removal strategies, and enzyme cleaners are especially useful for homeowners in this area. Whether you’re dealing with a one-time incident or a pet who has picked a “favorite spot,” you’re definitely not alone. We help people all over the region refresh their homes and keep things smelling clean so everyone, furry or otherwise, can enjoy the space.
Pet smells can sneak up on you fast, especially when you live with dogs or cats who think carpets are suggestions, not rules. If you’ve ever walked into your house, paused mid-step, and wondered, “Is that me or the dog?”, you’re definitely not alone. Even when your home looks spotless, odors can settle deep into carpet fibers, rugs, and upholstery and hang on like they’re paying rent.
As a professional cleaning company serving Puyallup and South Hill, we’ve seen every form of pet odor imaginable, from the obvious accidents to the mysterious “no one wants to admit it” spots. Over the years, we’ve tested almost every product on store shelves. The scented sprays, the baking soda tricks, the fancy bottles with promises of miracles. After all of that experimenting, we always end up coming back to one thing: enzyme cleaners.
Regular household cleaners can make things smell better for an hour or two, but they don’t actually solve the problem. Pet odors come from organic matter buried deep in your carpet or fabric. Surface cleaners just wipe the top and mask the smell. Using them is kind of like spraying cologne on a gym sock. Enzyme cleaners, on the other hand, work by breaking down the odor-causing proteins so the smell disappears completely instead of hiding for a few days.
Our favorite enzyme cleaner by far is the Zep Pet Stain and Odor Enzymatic Cleaner. We’ve used pricier boutique brands and we’ve tried the bargain options. Zep is the one that consistently works on real-life messes in real homes. It’s strong enough for professional use but gentle enough for everyday cleaning, and it’s effective on carpets, upholstery, dog beds, litter box areas, and all the small “oops” zones pets like to create.
To get the best results, you want to use an enzyme cleaner correctly. Start by blotting up as much moisture as you can without rubbing. Then soak the area thoroughly with the cleaner so the enzymes can reach everything they need to break down. Let it sit for at least ten minutes, but an hour or more is even better for deep smells. For major accidents, letting it work overnight makes a huge difference. After it has time to do its job, blot the area again and let it air dry completely. As it dries, the enzymes keep working and the odor fades out for good.
If you’re dealing with recurring pet odors, it helps to treat the whole area rather than just the obvious spot. Pets tend to revisit the same locations, and odors often spread farther under the surface than you might think. Pairing enzyme treatments with a periodic professional deep clean can keep your home smelling fresh throughout the year.
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We use these same techniques in our clients’ homes all over Puyallup and South Hill, and pet odor removal is one of our services. If you’d prefer to hand this off to someone who cleans pet-heavy homes, we’re always happy to help!