It may sound counterintuitive to clean a sisal rug pet stain with ammonia, but it does work. As a fiber rug made from the leaves of the sisalana plant from the Agave family, native to Central Mexico and cultivated around the world, these rugs are easy to keep clean because they don't trap dust or create static. Common cleaning methods include regular vacuuming. Pet urine stains are another matter entirely, requiring immediate attention to prevent odors and hard-to-remove stains. Avoid steam cleaning for overall cleaning, as it can change the rug's appearance.
Step 1
Blot the stained area of the rug to remove as much pet urine as possible with a paper towel or clean rag. The idea is to remove all the pet urine moisture from the rug to avoid stains and odor, which draws your pet back to mark the same place again. Continuing patting the area until you have absorbed all the urine you can from the rug.
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Step 2
Spread baking soda over the stained area to draw out any remaining moisture and to neutralize the pet urine odor. Allow the baking soda time to work, anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. Vacuum or remove with a paper towel or cloth.
Step 3
Swirl 1 teaspoon of a mild laundry detergent into a cup of warm water until thoroughly dissolved. Dip a sponge in the detergent solution and slightly wring it out.
Step 4
Pat only the stained area on the sisal rug with the detergent solution, then blot up the liquid with a clean cloth.
Step 5
Add 1 teaspoon of clear ammonia to 1/2 cup of water. Mix thoroughly and then dab the solution onto the area previously blotted with a sponge or clean cloth. Pat the area when done cleaning with an absorbent cloth to remove the ammonia.
Step 6
Follow the ammonia cleaning with a mixture of 1/4 cup clear vinegar and 1/4 cup of water. Blot the area previously cleaned, then pat dry to remove the moisture.
Step 7
Clean the area again, if necessary, with the detergent mixture, patting it to remove as much of the stain as possible, then patting dry.
Step 8
Wet a clean cloth with cool water for one final blotting. Let the sisal rug dry.