Understanding the Dangers of Neglected Pet Urine on Health

Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery & Upholstery Cleaning
Published: June 7th, 2013

Chem-Dry Addresses Common Concerns Regarding Pet Urine & Odor Removal

June 07, 2013 // Franchising.com // Nashville, TN – While air fresheners may do a sufficient job of making homes smell fresh, the scent of one’s home does not necessarily reflect its degree of cleanliness or healthfulness. For homeowners with pets, homes can not only become dirty from shedding and muddy paws, but they can also turn into unhealthy living environments as a result of urine accidents.

Aside from urine’s irritating smell and appearance, it can also be harmful to health when left untreated. For instance, neglected dog and cat urine can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and even vomiting. Chem-Dry, the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning service, has taken steps to address these health risks through their revolutionary Pet Urine Removal Treatment (P.U.R.T.®), which is an in-home service specially designed to eliminate urine odors in even the most severely damaged situations.

“Pet accidents can be a serious issue because the urine penetrates the carpet ?bers and contaminates both the backing of the carpet and the ?ooring material below the carpet, which can require major restoration work” said Chem-Dry CEO Dan Tarantin. “Given that and the health risks of pet urine, Chem-Dry’s P.U.R.T.® service is a great solution since it travels to the affected areas and explodes the urine crystals, causing them to oxidize and break apart in a matter of hours. Through years of research and in-home experience, Chem-Dry has acquired a great understanding of how vital pet urine and odor removal is for the cleanliness and healthfulness of a home as well as how to best treat it. Our revolutionary products and services have been created to eliminate the root problem and leave both the carpet and the home healthier and safer.”

To help pet owners gain a better understanding of the health risks associated with pet urine and how to avoid them, the team at Chem-Dry has addressed the most common related concerns below.

• Why is unkempt cat urine dangerous to health? How is it harmful?
  Urine is an optimal food source for bacteria and microorganism growth, which can carry risks including infections, sickness and disease. Unfortunately, far too often the extent of the problem is broader than pet owners first realize; if a pet owner has witnessed one accident, it’s more than likely that there several affected areas they’re unaware of that are causing health risks to anyone who lives in or enters the home.
• Are children more at risk for pet urine-related health issues than adults?
  Yes, children are at a greater risk for multiple reasons, primarily because children spend a lot more time on or in contact with the carpet. Rolling around, running barefoot, playing with toys, watching television, and playing video games are all common activities for children and can often result in direct contact with urine deposits or residue.
• What is the proper way to clean a pet urine stain? Will soap and water do?
  Soap and water can help if an affected area is cleaned right after the accident occurs. However, the urine will travel below the carpet fiber tips and into the backing and subfloor materials where it continues to fester, creating a breeding ground for a multitude of problems. Left untreated, urine can emit an odor for up to five years. Most off-the-shelf products simply mask the odor and do little to treat the actual urine underneath the carpet fibers. The majority of urine removal products are made from enzymes, some of which may work but typically require frequent and repeated applications for removal; and unfortunately, they may never fully solve the issue.
• If a urine stain is left for over one month, does the entire carpeted floor need to be reupholstered?
  Not typically, but the sooner a urine spot is treated, the less chance there is for urine to bleach out the affected fabric, and the easier it is to remove the odor and stain associated with the accident. There can be extreme cases where replacement is required, but using the right product and application methods can save homeowners thousands of dollars in replacement costs.
• If a stain still smells, does that mean it has not been properly cleaned?
  Yes; in fact, many products will mask the smell for several hours or even days, but the fragrance typically weakens before the urine smell does. Although a product may mask the odor well, it often is unclear whether it has actually removed the source of the problem until the fragrance has faded.

About Chem-Dry

Founded in 1977, Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service, with a network of over 3,500 units in 35 countries serving over 10,000 homes a day worldwide. Its green-certified solution and proprietary hot carbonating extraction cleaning process provide a deeper clean, allow surfaces to dry faster, and leave homes healthier. Chem-Dry has been ranked the number one carpet cleaning franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 25 consecutive years and has been selected by Franchise Direct as one of the top 100 global franchises. For more information or to schedule a cleaning, visit www.chemdry.com or, for franchise opportunities, visit www.chemdryfranchise.com. Chem-Dry is owned by Harris Research, Inc., which is also the founder and owner of the fast-growing N-Hance Wood Renewal franchise.

SOURCE Chem-Dry

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