Get matched with top carpet cleaners in Maxwell, IA

Even cats that are well-trained at using the litter box can end up urinating on various household objects or floors at some point. Cats may pee outside of the litter box for many different reasons, from their surroundings to their health.

If any of these issues sound familiar, addressing them can help you prevent any future accidents. When in doubt, talk to your vet, especially if peeing outside the litter box is coupled with any other abnormal behavior. 

• Stress: A soiled litter box or untidy surroundings, strange guests stopping by, or loud noises may stress out a kitty, leading them to pee outside of their box.

• Health: Cats with health issues like UTIs, bladder stones, diabetes, or kidney disease may pee around the house.

• Marking: Cats may mark around the house to either claim their territory when other animals come around or to attract a mate.

• Preferences: Your cat may simply prefer a larger litter box, or maybe they don’t like the new litter you bought on sale at the store.

Steam cleaning is generally considered better than shampooing for deep cleaning carpets. Also known as hot water extraction, steam cleaning uses heat to penetrate deep into the carpet fibers, effectively removing dirt, allergens, and bacteria without leaving behind a sticky residue. This method also tends to cause less wear on your carpet over time and leaves the fibers feeling softer. While a steamer can be more expensive, the cost is often justified by the longevity of your carpet. Shampooing may be a suitable option for quickly fixing odors or cleaning minor surface stains. However, it can leave behind a soapy film that attracts more dirt, defeating the purpose of the cleaning. The best choice depends on your needs; for a thorough, deep clean, steam is the superior option, while shampooing can handle light, surface-level dirt.

You should aim to have your floors professionally deep cleaned once or twice per year. A deep clean service can remove set-in stains, clean grout between tiles, address water spots or discoloration on wood floors, and make your floors look new again. For households with children, pets, or severe allergies, consider increasing the frequency to four times per year (quarterly). It's also important to perform regular cleaning, such as vacuuming and mopping, in between professional services.

No, you should never vacuum or sweep up mouse or rat droppings, as doing so can release harmful particles into the air and increase your risk of disease exposure. Instead, wear gloves and a mask, spray the droppings with a disinfectant spray, let it soak for a few minutes, and then carefully wipe them up with paper towels. Afterward, disinfect the area thoroughly and immediately wash your hands when you’re done.