Although happy, owning a dog can also make your home dirty and messy. If you can't control your dog's salivation, then you're probably no stranger to saliva stains on clothes, furniture, windows, and other objects. Fortunately, household items like vinegar and alcohol can easily remove dog saliva stains from almost any surface. Before dealing with stains, check the care label and test the cleaning product or mixture on a hidden area first.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Stains with Vinegar Solution
Step 1. Make a mixture of vinegar, water, baking soda and mild dish soap
Mix 60 ml of vinegar with dish soap and baking soda (one teaspoon each). Sprinkle the baking soda slowly so the mixture doesn't foam up too fast and too much. After that, add 240 ml of cold water.
- Mix the ingredients in a clean spray bottle to make it easier to apply to the stain.
- Hot water can "cook" the proteins in your dog's saliva and make the stain stick more firmly. Therefore, use cold water.
Step 2. Apply the mixture to clothing, upholstery or hard surfaces that are resistant to water
The vinegar mixture can also be used on washable fabrics, waterproof covers or upholstery for furniture, carpets, windows, floors, and walls. However, it's a good idea to be on guard and check the care label before trying to remove the stain. You also need to test the mixture on a hidden area first before using it directly on the stain.
- Furniture labels usually display a letter code. Code "W" means water-safe (resistant or safe against water) and "S" means solvent cleaners only (can only be cleaned using solvents, without water). The code “WS” means that the furniture can be cleaned with either water or solvent, while “X” means that the furniture can only be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or by a professional.
- If the furniture label has an “S” code, use alcohol or a solvent cleaning product from the store. If you can't find the letter code, don't use water just in case.
Step 3. Spray the cleaning mixture on the stain
If the item can be cleaned with water, only spray the mixture lightly and make sure the area to be sprayed doesn't get wet. When dealing with stains on fabric, let the mixture sit on the fabric for 15 minutes. For hard surfaces, you don't need to let the mixture sit.
- If you don't have a spray bottle, dab a white, highly absorbent washcloth dipped in the mixture onto the stain.
- The vinegar mixture can cause the paint or washcloth dye to smudge and hit the fabric being cleaned. Therefore, use a white washcloth.
Step 4. Remove the mixture using a damp washcloth
Wet a white washcloth with cold water, then wring it out to remove any excess water. If you're cleaning a cloth, dab the rag over the stained area to remove any excess vinegar mixture. For hard surfaces, simply wipe the cleaned area to remove any excess vinegar.
Step 5. Dry the cleaned area and repeat the process if necessary
Air the area to dry it or dab a washcloth on the area to speed up the drying process. Once dry, check the condition of the stain. If necessary, repeat the process until the stain is lifted or gone.
Method 2 of 3: Using Alcohol
Step 1. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol concentrate on the stain
If the item cannot be washed with water, spray some rubbing alcohol on the area where the saliva stain is. If you don't have a spray bottle, coat the soiled area with rubbing alcohol using a white, highly absorbent cloth.
- Micro-suede or microfiber cloth, for example, has the characteristic appearance of suede, but is easier to clean. However, these two types of fabrics (including upholstery or furniture covers) usually fall into the “S” code category or can only be cleaned using a solvent cleaner.
- If it's available (or you don't mind going to the convenience store), try using an alcohol-based cleaning cloth or tissue.
Step 2. Blot a dry, clean washcloth on the stain
Use a white washcloth (and not another colored cloth) to prevent the dye from smudging and staining the fabric being cleaned. Try not to rub the washcloth too vigorously on the stain. Carefully blot the washcloth to remove the stain from the fabric.
Step 3. Brush the cleaned area using a soft brush
Microfiber or micro suede fabrics may feel stiff after cleaning. However, you can smooth them out by brushing them carefully and quickly with a soft-bristled brush, nail brush, or toothbrush.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Perishable Fabrics
Step 1. Gently dab some alcohol on the silk cloth
Pour a small amount of alcohol on a white washcloth, then dab it on the area that is stained with saliva slowly and carefully so as not to damage the cloth. Cleaning silk is tricky, and you'll need to check the care label and test for alcohol on any hidden areas of the fabric first.
If the cloth can only be cleaned using the dry cleaning method, it's a good idea to take the cloth to a professional cleaning service provider
Step 2. Wipe the velvet cloth with lemon juice and baking soda
Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl, then add enough lemon juice to form a frothy paste. Wet a soft white washcloth with the foam, then carefully dab it on the stain. As much as possible, apply light pressure to the washcloth and don't rub the paste on the velvet surface.
Allow the cleaned area to dry for 3-5 hours. You can also use a fan to speed up the drying process
Step 3. Use a commercial cleaning product to clean leather and suede materials
Commercial wipes or cleaning solutions from the convenience store are the best for cleaning leather furniture and car seats. Cleaning suede or soft leather is much more complicated than cleaning leather, so commercial products and professional cleaning services are your safest choice.
If you're brave, try removing the stain on the suede with a little vinegar. Let the cloth dry, then brush with a special suede brush
Tips
- Check and read the care label before attempting to remove the stain.
- Always test cleaning products on hidden or inconspicuous areas, especially when you want to clean easily damaged fabrics.
