Moving can present an exciting opportunity, but if youre a pet owner and a renter, the normal chaos of packing up could be accompanied with stress over how to handle the damage your pet has done to the property over time. As you notice each thing your furry family member has been responsible for, you might get a sinking feeling theres no way youll get your security deposit back or worse, your home might have lost a significant amount of value.
Fortunately,there are several things you can do to fix the unsightly pet-related problems around the house.
Clean Carpeting with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Even if you have a thoroughly house-trained dog or a cat that understands how to use the litter box, youve probably had to deal with pet urine stains on your carpet. However, theyre more stressful if they happen when trying to get the house spruced up for a move-out inspection. Act quickly anduse a natural solution. That way, you wont have to worry about your pet coming in contact with chemicals during your remaining time in the house.
If youre dealing with a very recent stain thats still moist, carefully blot it with a paper towel. Then apply a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar and soak it. If the stain is especially bad, use pure vinegar instead. Once youve soaked the area, scrub as hard as possible to get down into the deepest carpet fibers. After that, add a bit of baking soda and leave the spot until its dry. Finally, vacuum the area.
Its crucial not to wait too long before cleaning pet stains. If the urine reaches the padding underneath the carpet, the method above may not be powerful enough. You might have to rely on a carpet cleaning company that uses water extraction methods to get the job done.
Remove Pet Odors from Hardwood Floors
Perhaps the home youre moving out of doesnt have visible pet stains, but youve noticed areas covered with hardwood material seem to have absorbed the odor of your pets. Because certain cleaning agents can be very harsh on hardwood floors, its important to findsome that are gentle, yet effective.
Vinegar starts removing bad smells almost immediately. Alternatively, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can also do the trick. All three could weaken the sealant or cause bleaching if not applied carefully or if left on too long, so dont leave the area unattended.
Improve Wood Furniture Thats Been Chewed by a Dog
Its certainly stressful to come home from a day at work to discover your dog has decided wooden furniture is a more adequate chew toy than the items youve provided for playtime. If it seems your dog is repeatedly chewing wood furniture and eating the shavings, itmay be a self-inflicted injuryworth consulting your veterinarian about.
Once youre satisfied the dog isnt intentionally chowing down on the furniture due to a behavioral or physical problem that needs attention, turn your effortstoward improving the damaged wood. Take a utility knife and cut small, diagonal hatch marks across the chewed area. Hold the blade directly in your hand if possible to maintain good control, and put masking tape over the sharp parts to protect your skin. Then, make a batch of auto-body filler according to the packaging instructions. Youll probably have to put several applications on the affected area to build up the surface so its flush with the part that hasnt been chewed. However, once applied, the substance dries in about five minutes, so be careful not to prepare too much at once.
Put the auto-body filler on a paper plate and mix it well for 30 seconds. Then, cover the chewed wood with the filler and wait until its dry, but not hardened. If necessary, use a knife blade to carve away excess filler, and sandpaper to smooth out the surface. You can also run a wax fill stick over the sanded surface to fill in any remaining small holes. This wood repair method may seem a little involved, but its something you can try even without having carpentry knowledge.
Conceal Claw Marks on Leather Furniture
Cats are arguably more likely than dogs to scratch leather furniture with their claws, especially since they naturally need to sharpen them on surfaces regularly. Ideally theyd use scratching posts, but that doesnt always happen. Furthermore, dogs may unintentionally leave claw marks on leather, especially if they feel they are slipping and try to grip the surface. Luckily, there are ways tomake claw markings less visible.
If the area is only slightly affected so the leather appears to have an abrasion, try applying white vinegar with a soft cloth. The vinegar makes the leather swell, which may hide the marks. Using leather polish after the vinegar should conceal mild scratch marks even more.
If the marks are so severe they have created tears, youll need to use a leather repair kit that includes a solution tinted about the same color as the damaged material. Insert a scrap of fabric, such as an iron-on patch, into the hole to add stability. Put grain paper with the grain side down over the material after youve applied the repair solution. Iron the grain paper as a finishing touch, then pull it away to see the results.
Moving can be stressful, but thanks to these tips, you can stress less when getting the property ready to vacate.
When you are ready to buy or sell your next home, please call me, Marie McLaughlin 727-858-7569.
Source:http://blog.rismedia.com/2016/repair-cat-dog-damage-moving/
