As a pet owner, you likely are all too aware of the damage that they can wreak around the home. Sometimes it is damage from their claws, and other times it may be stains or odors from accidents. There are some steps that you can take to repair the damage from your four-legged friends.

Nipping it in the Bud
At some time or the other, all pets will have an accident in the home. Cleaning up the accident quickly is important, not just because of the fact that damage and odor from feces and urine is exacerbated if you wait to clean it up, but leaving it there will encourage the pet to use the same spot for his business the next time. Clean the area thoroughly, and in the case of carpeting, be sure that you clean all the way down to the carpet padding. An enzyme pet stain remover solution is the best way to be rid of residual pet urine problems. This type of cleaner will also work to clean away residual from pet stains on an unsealed concrete floor.

Stains
If you locate a pot on a hardwood floor where urine has soaked into the floor and caused a stain, first try wood bleach in order to lighten the stain. If that works, re-stain the area to match the rest of your flooring. You may need to replace a section of floor for particularly hard, set-in stains. If urine has gotten down into the subflooring, that is another problem altogether. You may need to remove the floorboards and then seal the subflooring to seal out the odor, and then replace your hardwood.

Claw Damage
Left unchecked, your pet’s claws can cause a lot of damage. Using spray repellents is a good idea to stop the damage before it begins. You might also consider declawing the animal. For damage that has already occurred, there are a few ways to repair it. For leather furniture, use a leather repair product. For particularly bad tear, seek out professional help. For fabric furniture snags, you may be able to pull the snag into the fabric where it is not noticeable by using a long craft needle.

Damage from Scratching
Again, prevent damage from scratching before it occurs when possible by providing cats with a scratching post. For minor scratching on wooden doors or furniture, you can often disguise the scratch with a touch-up pen. On a painted door or furniture, you may need to touch up the paint. Use wood filler in deep scratches before you stain or paint.

Odors
If pet odors are a problem indoors, then reducing them is your number one goal, eliminating them is your number one wish. A good way to reduce pet odors and other types of common odors in the home is with special lava rocks that are sold in home stores. These rocks absorb odors wherever they are placed. After a few months, simply take the lava rocks outdoors, allow them to stay in the sun for a few hours, and then re-use them like new.

Author Bio: Alyssa Davis is a staff writer and specialist in decorating with piano metal wall artwork and baseball metal hanging for Metal-Wall-Art.com.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home, decor, design, wall art, improvement, remodel, budget, repair, organize, feng shui, clean