If you have dogs, cats or other animals in the house, cleaning pet urine can be a problem. Here are some suggestions you can try.

Hardwood Floors

Get some water, wood soap and sponge (the thicker the better). Mix the soap with water. Clean it until the smell is gone. Dogs and cats will always return to the spot they urinated on because of the smell. For this reason, you should remove the stain completely.

Your wood soap may come with directions for usage. Follow it. Wipe in a back and forth manner. Use water to wash away the soap. Next mix white vinegar and water.

Apply some of it on the area. Let it dry for a couple of minutes. Finish cleaning pet urine by dipping a sponge in warm water. Use this to wipe away the vinegar and water.

Carpets

Put the spray on the carpet cleaner. Clean the carpet with the sponge. When the carpet dries, clean it up with a vacuum. You can also use baking soda. Pour a generous amount on the stain. Sprinkle some white vinegar on it.

Ascertain the soda is saturated. You should see foam arising. Let the foam settle down. Vacuum the carpet when it has dried.

Getting Rid of the Scents Thoroughly

A dog or cat will go back to the area if it smells the urine. To be
sure, return to the area after an hour. If there is any smell, repeat the cleaning pet urine process. This should be enough to get rid of any stains and scents.

Vinegar and Enzyme Cleaners

For new stains, cover the stain with paper towels or newspapers. Allow it to soak as much of the urine as possible. Depending on the amount, it might take as much as 15 to 20 minutes to absorb the urine.

Remove the towel or paper. Soak a sponge with cold water and wipe the area. Cover it again with paper towels. Mix a tablespoon of white vinegar with a couple of cups of warm water. Apply this on the stain.

Allow it to dry. Put some enzyme cleaners on it to totally eliminate the smell. Directions differ per product, so follow the specific instructions for cleaning pet urine.

Tips

If you have carpets, consider investing in a hand held black light. This device is used to detect dried stains. Turn off the light and turn the device on. The stains will appear. It’s important that you clean up any dried urine stains. If you don’t, the smell will not go away.

Don’t use the vacuum cleaner on the carpet until it has fully dried. You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean the stain. Avoid using cleaning products with ammonia. Dog urine consists partly of ammonia. Its presence may encourage the dog to return to the spot.

Even if you train the animal, it pays to know how cleaning pet urine is done. The next time the dog or cat decides to pee on the floor, at least you know how to clean it up.

Fish tanks are pleasing to the eyes especially if they are clean. Likewise, clean water is a healthier and happier environment for fishes, which are considered generally as highly sensitive animals. Make life more pleasant for you and for your pets by learning how to clean a fish tank.

Materials Needed

To do this moderately challenging task, you need algae scraper, chlorine and paper towels. Likewise, you must also have a fish net, a filter media and a container to house the fishes temporarily. Additional materials needed for this job include a bucket, a siphon and a bowl.

Steps

Remove all electrical appliances from the plug including all that are connected to the fish tank such as the water heater, aeration and filter. Take the top fixture off the tank and then clean it using paper towels and clean water. Get the bowl and then use it to scoop water out of the tank. Transfer the water to a container that can temporarily house the fishes while the tank is being cleaned. Use the fish net to transfer the fishes safely.

Use the algae scraper to clean the inner walls of the fish tank. Scrub them thoroughly until all the dirt and slime are removed. Remove the decorations, artificial rocks and rocks. These are spots where dirt usually resides. Wash the dirt off by placing them under running water. After that, let them dry. Get the siphon then use it to clean the gravel. Use it to clean the bottom part of the tank as well. When siphoning, it is good to remove about 50 to 70 percent of dirty water.

Take out the filter and then rinse with water. Get a bucket and then use it to fill the tank with clean water. Purchase chlorine from the nearest pet store and then pour significant amounts in the water. This important step is important especially in eliminating harmful chemicals that can inflict damages to fishes. Put back the clean decorations, artificial plants and rocks to improve the way your fish tank looks. It is also safe to return and plug in the electrical appliances.

Replace the filter media and filter with new ones. Set the filter and then allow it to run for at least an hour. Doing this can actually minimize the stress as well as normalize the temperature of water. Use clean water and paper towels to clean and dry the outer parts of the tank.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

It is advisable to clean the fish tank at least once a week to maintain a healthy environment for your fishes. While holding the fishes in temporary containers, be sure to provide them with sufficient aeration. Visit your major pet stores and buy freshwater clarifier to treat cloudy water.