• Pet stains can be removed from most fabrics.cute puppy young dog pet vizsla image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
  
  Pets can stain carpets, furniture and other fabrics when they eliminate waste indoors or when they get sick and vomit. Stains can not only look unsightly, but also reek. Solutions for stain removal can include home remedies or commercial products from a retailer. Another step in solving pet stains involves re-training pets to relieve themselves in the proper place.
  
  

Add Baking Soda

• For pet stains and odors on washable fabric, use a heavy-duty laundry detergent along with a box of baking soda. Baking soda is used for absorbing odor, as well as cleaning the fabric. After washing the fabric, let it air dry rather than use a heated dryer. Heat can set the stain if it isn't completely removed yet. Re-wash if necessary. On carpets or furniture that cannot be machine washed, rub baking soda over a stain that has already been cleaned with a formula specifically made for carpets or upholstery. Leave on the baking soda coating for several hours or overnight to absorb odor and eliminate any residual visual stain. Rinse off the baking soda and vacuum the area.
  
  

Make "Accident Zone" Off-Limits

• The solution to continued pet staining in a specific area is to make the "accident zone" off-limits to a pet until all odors are eliminated. Pets will return to an area to urinate or defecate if it smells like a potty area they have used before. In addition to keeping pets out of the accident zone, provide access to the correct place for them to eliminate waste.
  
  

Soak Up Fresh Urine

• To remove a urine stain, first soak up all the moisture with layers of paper towel and newspaper. Soaking up as much liquid as possible will make eliminating the odor easier. Place a thick layer of paper towel over the stain, then a thick layer of newspaper. Stand on or press the absorbent padding for at least a minute. Remove the padding and repeat with fresh material until the spot barely feels damp to the touch. To help retrain the pet, place some of the towels and newspaper in the animal's correct potty spot, whether outdoors or in a litter box.
  
  

Re-Wet Dried Stains

• If a stain is old and dried, re-wet the area with plain water before trying to clean it. Once it is damp, use the paper towel and newspaper absorbing method to soak up the liquid. Then, clean the spot with a home remedy or commercial product.
  
  

Use Vinegar

• Vinegar is a safe, non-toxic stain and odor remover. It is safe to use on most washable fabrics and surfaces and will not harm pets. Mix a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it evenly over the surface of the fabric so it saturates the stained area. Finally, blot the area with a towel or paper towel to soak up all the liquid, including the stain and odor.
  
  

Use Commercial Pet Stain Remover

• Some commercial pet stain removers can help remove stains and odors. Follow the directions on the packaging for correct use.