Recreation — You are in My World Now

How To Remove Cat Urine Stains And Odor From Your Carpets?

August 12, 2013 by Trish

If you are a cat lover or owned a cat at least once if your life you’d know exactly how difficult it can be to prevent your cat from urinating on the carpet. Most people think it’s impossible to remove cat urine stains from a carpet while others believe that the odor just never leaves the carpet. The truth is that conventional carpet cleaning methods and over the counter deodorizers do fall short of being able to provide a workable and long lasting solution to the problem. In order to rid your carpets of cat urine you first need to know how normal cleaning methods work.

The Effect of Cat Urine on a Carpet

Cat urine like human and other animal urine is wet and so when a cat urinates on your carpet it saturates the area right down to the backing. Your carpet most probably has a whole host of yarn strands which have been looped tightly at its base which is then connected to the backing via latex. When urine touches this area it goes directly into the fibers of the yarn. As the urine starts to dry it will release a number of bad smelling basses as well as start to form salts by bounding with the carpet. It can be near impossible to detect the odor during the dry season but when the weather becomes moist or the carpet becomes moist the urine residue is reactivated and starts to discolor the dye and emit a foul smell.

Carpet Odor Defeating Enzymes

Cleaning carpets which have been saturated with cat urine requires an approach which is different from using conventional solvents. Conventional solvents don’t work very well because they are not able to break the bonds or even change the chemical compound creating the smell. That said solvents may be able to remove the stain (urine stain). However, there are many enzyme based carpet cleaners from which you can choose from. You should choose a carpet cleaner which is designed to treat pet stains and odor by breaking down the overall chemical structure of urine and ammonia gas. Once the salt stains and everything else on the carpet becomes inert it will no longer smell even when moist. After the smell is removed now conventional cleaners will do a good job of removing the stain depending on how old the stain is.

Using Homemade Methods

There are other things which are easily available around the house that can be used to remove cat urine stains. However, this depends mainly on how soiled your carpet may be, also some methods may work on neutral or lighter colors. The easiest and probably the most effective household cleaner is vinegar which not only cleans but also disinfects the carpet. Baking soda is a proven odor buster. When used together they can remove stains which are not too saturated with feline urine.

The urine spot can be shampooed with white vinegar mixed with eight parts water. If this does not work or is not as effective as it should be, then double the amount of vinegar used. To take things up a notch you can also add a few drops of laundry detergent. However, it is important that you later remove as much moisture as you possibly can. Once that spot is dry just sprinkle some baking powder and let it sit there for an hour prior to vacuuming. This method does not always work but will work in most cases, plus it happens to be eco-friendly and cheap.

Will they Work on Old Stains

The answer to this question is no! At home methods using vinegar and baking soda will not work for old urine stains and odor. The only way to remove these types of stains and odor from your carpet is to use an enzyme based solution. Also, if a stain is too old it will most likely cause discoloration regardless of what you use owing to the buildup of ammonia which is a natural bleaching agent. So, the quicker you are to react and clean the urine the higher your chances of saving your carpet.

Citations:

Commercial Carpet Cleaning

Featured images:

License: Image author owned
License: Image author owned
License: Image author owned

Manu Alias is an expert at cleaning carpets and is a chemical engineer by professional. When not working on the latest methods to clean carpets he can be seen riding the high waves.

Bringing The Indoors Out

August 8, 2013 by Trish

The warmth of summer will soon be replaced by the crisp, brisk feeling of fall. The approaching changing of the seasons does not mean your outdoor fun needs to end. In fact it might be just the time to consider bringing the indoors out. In essence by creating a useable space outside for cooking and gathering you may add that much more room to your property. This could be a good selling point for when you sell your property in the future! Creating the perfect outdoor space will take planning to include how to protect your equipment. One item that will be an essential piece of the protection plan is grill covers.

Benefits of Adding an Outdoor Kitchen

Prior to designing your new space, you or your family maybe wondering well how are we going to benefit from it? In addition to giving you more useable space, being outdoors does wonders for your health. Being in the fresh air may even entice you to start a pickup game that may not otherwise have crossed your mind, adding physical movement to the list of benefits.

Another benefit to consider is the possibility of increasing your property value for the future.

Design

While the benefits listed above may sound appealing to you and your family, you still need to design and build your new space first. When designing an outdoor kitchen it is important to keep a budget in mind as there are a lot of enticing products on the market. Remember you want to enjoy your new space, not regret it!

Prior to drawing up your plans make sure you measure the area where the new kitchen will go. This will help you determine exactly how much space you will have for equipment as well as a work area if you are going to be doing prep work outside.

When working on the plans for equipment and workspace, determine if there are projects you can do yourself. Taking a DIY approach will save you money as you will not have to pay labor costs. However, there are some projects that should be left to the professionals. For instance, if you are going to be running water or gas lines to the new space contact the proper professionals to ensure the job is done safely.

The elements included in the design will vary depending upon the individual vision for the space. There are some basics though that you are likely going to want to include. They include the centerpiece grill as well as small sink and refrigerator.

Protection

Once you have created the space of your dreams, you are going to want to protect it. Mother Nature is a fickle creature so it is wise to build in protective elements into your budget. One of which are grill covers for the main attraction. You may also want to consider other types of protective devices depending on design and your local weather.

Creating the perfect outdoor kitchen will take time. Just like projects indoors, you may need to purchase pieces at a time depending upon budget. In the end though all the work and purchasing will be worth it as you enjoy a perfect meal outside.

Davide Bloomer is a freelance writer who loves the outdoors

Making Sure Your Garden Is Safe This Summer

July 17, 2013 by Trish

To most people the Garden is a safe place both for themselves their pets and their children, but this may not always be the case so we have put together some information to help make sure your garden is safe over the summer months.

Pets

While each pet can have a different reaction to certain plants we have researched and compiled a list below of some of the plants and trees which are potential poisonous or may give your cat, dog or other animal an upset stomach.

Aloe
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
BlackJack Pine
Butercup
Chamomile
Cherry
Daffodil

You can find out full indepth detail and more information about which plants you should avoid by going to the following website http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants

Garden Flooring (Childrens Play Mats)

When it comes to children in the garden it is often the case that home owners look for some form of safety flooring or play mats to help young ones stay safe. This is especially used when it come play areas such as swings, climbing frames or other equipment.

From my own personal experience or the research I have carried out I would strongly recommend one of the following surfaces:

Soft sponge tar
Sponge Play Mats
Bark or soft wood chippings
Recycled Rubber

BBQ’s and Fire Safety:

When it comes to cooking or heating in the garden you need to make sure that you cover a few bases. Firstly makes sure you think about wind direction, not just for the smoke but if it’s a very windy day then make sure you are cooking away from everyone and that your equipment can not be blown over.

If you are using a gas bbq or heater then once its been used disconect the gas supply and make sure the gas bottle is stored away from any further heat.

Keep children far away from the cooking and make sure the fire is never left unattended and before you even start the fire make sure that your BBQ is stable. A lot of accidents happen simply because the barbeque falls over, so above all make sure it cannot fall or be knocked down.

Water

You may not be able to afford a swimming pool (If you can then have a read of this article about pool safety http://www.homeandgardendiva.com/home-and-family/keeping-your-pool-area-safe-comfortable-and-fun-for-all-the-family/) but water in the garden can come in a number of forms whether it’s a fountain a pond, water founatin or similar.

If you have a pond then i would advise to think about using a Pond Guard or Safety grid cover, this will prevent any small children from falling in and also protects fish from any predators (mainly cats).

Our Final Tips

The final tips are about tools; make sure that you keep your spades, forks or sheers in a safe place, they can be an accident haven whether they are sharpe or blunt. So making sure they are locked away in a shed or garage will ensure you garden is safe for you, your pets and your children.

Attached Images:

License: MBG Stock Image by Smart Photo Stock
License: MBG Stock Image credit Cheap photos
License: MBG Stock Photo provided by: Guest blogging community

Andrew Taylor is an avid garden enthusiast who works for Alfresia Cushions for garden furniture. He writes for a number of blogs and other gardening publications.

3 Natural Remedies For Getting Rid Of Ticks That Plague Dogs And Cats

July 11, 2013 by Trish

Your loyal canine companion or your fuzzy tabby can all be targeted by ticks. Ticks are arachnids that suck the blood of animals and sometimes people. The problem here is that these creatures aren’t just bloodsuckers. When they bite, they can also transmit dangerous viruses and parasites to your pet. So, at the first indication of a tick infestation, you should deal with the problem right away to keep it from worsening. Consider asking your vet about what treatments are available or you can also opt for natural remedies, which will be discussed further below.

Choosing Natural

Why should you decide on natural treatments for ticks? First of all, natural options are more Earth-friendly, and so these are less toxic to the environment. Plus, natural remedies are safer for your wellbeing and the health of your pet as such methods reduce exposure to stronger and more harmful chemicals.

So, what are some natural remedies for ticks that are plaguing your house pets? Here are some examples.

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils are aromatic substances derived from the flower, bark, stem or leaves of plants or trees. There are several kinds of oils that you can use to repel ticks. Citrus scents, including lemon, orange or lemongrass, as well as tea tree, juniper, oregano, thyme, and rosewood oils are a few examples. You can find different recipes online. Some oils, such as rose geranium oil, can be directly applied on collars. You only need a few drops. Others have to be diluted in carrier oils, like olive oil and sunflower oil, or alcohols, such as vodka. However, ask your vet first before using any type of essential oil on cats since felines are very sensitive to such, especially citrusy oils.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth, which is also called diatomite, is a powdery substance that is often used as filtering material. This can help kill insects with exoskeletons, which are the hard outer structures of certain creatures, such as ants, lice, ticks and fleas. DE sticks onto the outer layer of insects and then slowly scrapes these away. Once the exoskeleton is damaged, the insect becomes dehydrated or injured, and it will eventually die. For tick and flea control, food-grade DE can be dusted onto your pet’s coat. It is alright for animals to ingest DE as this is non-toxic and it can even help get rid of worms in an animal’s GI tract. To prevent further infestation, apply DE onto your pet’s bedding too.

3. Citrus Fruits

Just cut an orange or lemon in half and then rub this onto your pet’s fur. Orange peels are also popular options. The citrusy odor repels both ticks and fleas. Rubbing fresh fruit on your cat is fine, but since felines generally dislike citrus scents, you’ll be making it very unhappy. Also, remember that essential oils and fruit juices are very dissimilar. So, don’t rub orange oil on your pet’s fur, especially if you have a cat, because, as mentioned earlier, felines are very sensitive to strong oils.