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Yes, you can use a hose to clean an area rug. Before you do, it’s a good idea to vacuum out dust and dirt and use a rug brush to remove pet hair and other debris. Just be careful not to be too aggressive, or you’ll damage the material. Bring your area rug outside and wet it evenly with your hose. You can even use a pressure washer on a light setting if you have a new, durable rug. Continue soaking until the water runs clean, and then hang your rug to dry.

As with any home project, make sure you don’t hire the first person you call about the job, at least not at first. You will want to get at least three quotes and vet pros by asking for references, reading online reviews, and finding out what types of furniture upholstery they deal with the most often.

To remove pet urine stains and odors from a microfiber couch, first blot the area to absorb as much liquid as possible. Then, generously cover the spot with baking soda and let it sit for a few hours to absorb the odor before vacuuming it up.

For cleaning the stain itself, you can use a commercial urine stain and odor removal spray—be sure to follow the product's instructions.

Alternatively, you can use a DIY solution based on your couch's cleaning code:

• For 'S' code couches: Lightly spritz the stain with rubbing alcohol and gently scrub with a microfiber cloth.

• For 'W' or 'S-W' code couches: Use a mixture of one cup of vinegar and one cup of rubbing alcohol, spritzing and scrubbing the area gently.

If you or your pet are unlucky enough to enrage a skunk during extraction, don’t douse yourself in tomato juice—it only masks the odor. A more effective way to get rid of skunk smells is with a hydrogen peroxide solution which you apply to skin, pet fur, or clothing.