From funky to fresh: how to get on top of pet odours and stains

6 March 2025

Did you know there are over 4.6 million pets across the country? It’s fair to say New Zealand is a nation of pet lovers – there’s nothing quite like the love and companionship of a pet, and pets are widely embraced as ‘family’. And, increasingly, pets of all kinds are living exclusively indoors – cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chinchillas, reptiles, and birds. Okay, – and the odd turtle, baby lamb and kune kune.


Whether yours are exclusively indoors or old-school indoor/outdoor pets, along with the adoration comes carpet stains and the dreaded odour. Every home with pets has a pet smell – to varying degrees, true, but they all do. The problem is as pet owners, we don’t always notice them.


Sniffing out the truth: why you can’t smell your own home

The short answer is that we get nose blind – a temporary condition that means we don’t register certain scents. Nose blindness or olfactory fatigue occurs when you are exposed to a smell for a long time and your brain becomes accustomed to it and stops alerting you to it. It’s the brain’s way of stopping you from becoming overstimulated by too much sensory information. While you may not detect it, guests and visitors certainly will and since they’re so nice they’re unlikely to tell you. So, what are you to do?


Paws and sniff: why your home smells like your pet

As lovable as your pets are, that distinctive smell that greets visitors as they walk in the door is less endearing. There are numerous causes of pet odours, and the most common causes are:


·        Indoor litter boxes, bird cages, and hutches

·        Natural oils on fur and skin

·        Pet dander build-up

·        Urine and faecal matter

·        Dirt and other stuff brought in from outside on their fur and footpads

·        Pet health

·        Diet

·        Sweat, saliva and scenting

·        Pet breath and gas

·        The number of animals in the house.


These elements can combine to create that distinctive pet smell which gets into fabrics, carpet fibres and soft furnishings. Animals frequently rub their faces and bodies along the fronts of sofas and around bed-bases, and if left home alone you can bet they’re up on the couch five seconds after you’ve left!


As they roam, sleep, roll around on the floor or rub up against furnishings, the odours from sweat, saliva, scent glands, and natural oils get trapped in carpet and upholstery fibres. They will often smell more intense when the room is hot or is unventilated. 



A person is washing a dog with soap and water.

Fresh smells require a fresh approach

It can be challenging to remove strong pet odours from your home, but persistence and new routines will pay off. Here’s a guide on how to banish smells from your home, starting with the obvious:


  1. Regularly wash and groom dogs.
  2. Regularly wash and air out your pet’s bedding.
  3. Keep the floors clean. Sweep hard floors and mop with hot water and a strong but pet-friendly cleaning solution.
  4. Tackle any stains. If your pet has an accident, deal with it straight away – click here for our recommended response if it’s on the carpet.
    Don’t ignore older or stubborn stains; the longer they’re there, the harder they are to remove.
  5. Open those windows and keep internal doors open to allow air to circulate.
  6. Change out litter boxes and soiled cage liners before they begin to smell.
  7. Take away uneaten pet food if possible. Dog and cat foods often have a distinct smell; and your cockatoo’s uneaten fruit and vegetables can also get whiffy.
  8. Take a trip to the vet. Ear problems and dental issues cause smells, not to mention frequent farting, and if your pet is regularly having pee or poo accidents there could be a medical reason or behavioural issue that needs addressing.
  9. If your pet regularly sits on a specific seat, cover it with an easy to machine-washable throw or blanket to protect the upholstery fabric.


The waterworks: why pet urine stains and odours stick around

Pet urine isn’t just a surface-level problem. Even if you get to it quickly, it can rapidly soak down into the carpet fibres, underlay, and even the floorboards or subfloor.


The unique thing about urine is that as the liquid evaporates it becomes more concentrated and crystallises. The crystals trap bacteria, which results in persistent, ammonia-like odours.

Due to its acidic nature and colour, pet urine can sometimes damage carpet so completely that replacement is needed. This is why we recommend diluting and absorbing as much as possible as soon as the accident occurs.


Don’t minimise or downplay recidivist toileting indoors, assuming it will all just clean out! Professionals agree that carpet with pet urine stains or odour is one of the toughest things to fix. Our use of urine-specific products followed by a deep steam clean is your best next step after the initial clean-up.



A brown and white puppy is sitting on a wet carpet.

When regular cleaning just won’t cut it

Sometimes, with the best will in the world, regular cleaning does not eliminate funky odours. Some home cleaning products simply mask odours without neutralising them, or in the case of stains, leave a soapy or sticky residue that attracts more dirt and debris over time.


If you’ve tried DIY solutions but still notice that tell-tale scent, it’s time to call in the professionals. Advanced Carpet Cleaning’s expert carpet cleaning services in Christchurch can help shift stains and neutralise odours – you’ll be guest-ready again in no time!

 

From ripe to refreshing: the deep clean factor

 

Carpets and rugs: steam cleaning penetrates deep into carpet fibres, using quality products, high-temperature steam and powerful suction to break down and remove pet fur oils, dander, dirt, bacteria from footpads and bottoms, drool and more! The heat kills bacteria and many odour-causing compounds, while the extraction process lifts dirt and moisture, leaving carpets looking, feeling and smelling cleaner and fresher.


Hard floors: deep cleaning hard floors removes pet dirt trapped in grout lines, corners, and under furniture. Industrial-grade steam cleaners use cleaning solutions and high heat to kill bacteria and break down stubborn stains and odours, flushing and extracting all the dirty right off the floor. Mop regularly and book an annual super-clean of your hard floor!


Curtains, blinds and upholstery: Odours are airborne and quickly settle onto textiles, so once the source of the odour is under control, find out which cleaning method is best for your refreshing your curtains and blinds.


Upholstery steam cleaning is a big contributor to a fresh smelling home. A thorough professional clean of your furniture will deal to pet odour, pet dander and fur, oils, scents and saliva from rubbing against furniture, and the telltale dirty paw marks.


Remember too your cushions and throws. Wash them according to the care instructions, and if they can't be machine washed, consider replacing them.

 

Refresh and rejuvenate

If you’re struggling with stubborn pet stains and odours, Advanced Carpet Cleaning’s professional carpet cleaning in Christchurch offers a comprehensive solution. Here’s how we tackle the problem:


Inspection and identification – our fully trained carpet cleaners in Christchurch assess the stain or odour issue to determine the best cleaning method based on your carpet type.


If pet urine is a contributing factor, we can identify where the urine locations are in a room and how far they have spread, even if there is no visible stain.


Pre-treatment – specialist pre-treatments are applied, matched to the stain or odour you’re keen to evict. These activate once applied and start breaking down the substances so they can be flushed out with a thorough steam clean.


Hot water extraction (carpet steam cleaning) – utilising piping hot water, cleaning agents and powerful suction to clean, flush and extract contaminants, our professional equipment and expertise together give the best possible outcome.


Drying and maintenance – talk to us about carpet drying after a deep clean, and pick our brains for maintenance suggestions that will best help your carpet.

 

Don’t let pet stains and odours make your home memorable for all the wrong reasons! Contact us today and breathe easy knowing your carpets are in expert hands. Click here or call Advanced Carpet Cleaning on 0800 566 576 for a free no-obligation quote or to book an appointment. 

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Busting the myth: does carpet get dirtier faster after it's cleaned?

10 July 2025
Today, we're setting the record straight. If you've been hesitating to book professional carpet cleaning services because you've heard that carpets get dirty faster after being cleaned, you're not alone. This persistent myth has kept countless people living with dingy, worn-looking carpets when they could be enjoying fresh, vibrant flooring that enhances their entire living space and saves them money. So, let’s put this this common misconception to bed and reveal why quite the reverse is true. The origin of the myth The belief that carpets attract dirt more quickly after professional cleaning stems from experiences with poor cleaning services from decades past. When the carpet cleaning industry was in its infancy, basic detergents and inadequate extraction methods were quite standard. This combination resulted in soap residues being left in the carpet and carpets did indeed look dirty again faster than before. And so the myth was born, and here we are. However, modern professional carpet cleaning has evolved and innovated dramatically. Today's advanced equipment, experienced technicians, and science-lead cleaning solutions tailored to different fibre types eliminate this problem entirely, delivering results that keep your carpets cleaner and fresher for longer periods. The science behind proper carpet cleaning Understanding why the myth persists just involves comparing what happens during both proper and improper cleaning processes. Remember that cleaning agents (even hand soaps and laundry powders) are designed to attract and hold onto dirt so it can be rinsed away. When carpets are cleaned incorrectly , cleaning agents aren't fully rinsed and extracted from the fibres. These residual chemicals create a tacky surface that attracts and holds onto dirt particles, and the carpet will look dirty again soon after cleaning. You know when you peel an adhesive label off a product it can leave behind that thin film of stickiness? Before you know it, it looks like a dropped toffee apple, having collected all the dust and debris it came into contact with. Yuck! Well, cleaning solutions not removed from carpet will continue to do what they’re designed to do – attract and hold onto dirt, making the surface look grubby. However, professional carpet steam cleaning, when performed correctly, thoroughly removes both dirt and cleaning solutions from fibres ensuring your carpets stay cleaner and fresher for longer. The key really lies in the operator: · Using the right equipment in the right way · Understanding the characteristics of your carpet type · Investing in quality cleaning solutions and understanding them, and · Taking the time to clean and extract to ensure residues are not left behind. 
A man is standing in front of an advanced cleaning van.

We’re proud to look after these exceptional Christchurch businesses and their customers

10 July 2025
Good relationships are at the heart of any successful business. At Advanced Carpet Cleaning, we’re proud to work with some of Christchurch’s most well-known furniture stores, interior designers, and property managers. These relationships reflect the shared values we hold – professionalism, reliability, a commitment to care, and a penchant for quality. From upholstery care referrals to tricky carpet stain treatments, these businesses trust us to deliver results that uphold their high standards. In this blog, you’ll get a quick look at some of Canterbury’s favourite businesses and how they utilise our services. Classy Interiors When you buy a premium suite or designer rug you’re prioritising quality, and long-term style and comfort. Some of Christchurch’s most exceptional furniture retailers – like BoConcept, DA Lewis, ECC, Frobisher, McKenzie & Willis, and Trenzseater, and bespoke manufacturers such as Montreux Furniture – have us on speed-dial for: Professional Organic MicroSeal fabric protection bookings, pre- or post-delivery, giving long-term protection for easy maintenance Upholstery and area rug care referrals or bookings, including cleaning and stain treatment services, care recommendations, and insurance reports after accidental damage Comprehensive follow-up care whenever needed to ensure you get full use and enjoyment from your purchase.  The happy customers of these retailers have peace of mind knowing they’re supported by a trusted local team.