I have a new dog and 2 visiting dogs. The visiting dogs are here for a week, and my house now smells like dog stink. Old dog peed in 4 places downstairs, barfed on an area rug, and peed the whole way down the stairs. I got an estimate for carpet guys to do my whole house on monday and it's going to cost $250. Would I be better off just buying a machine? What do you have? What would you do?

We bought on our machine years ago at Kohls or Bed Bath and Beyond (forgot which one) with a coupon. The key to keep the machine working well is keeping it clean. Most people don't rinse them out. We will never lend ours out again because my DH had to clean it up afterwards. Maybe he's just too anal though You'll spend less than $200 on a new machine. We use water and oxiclean (make sure it dissolves or it won't work well). We spot with a Melaleuca cleaner that works well.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

which kind do you have?

It's a Bissell

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Take it from someone that has been there. NOTHING will get that smell out for good. I just ripped up carpet because of the same thing(was my daughters puppy). I tried everything but the smell came back.

I got used to it in a way and did not notice so much, but everyone else noticed. I just put wood looking vynil planks in that room and it smells so clean and looks great!! That carpet was not very old, but it smelled HORRIBLEwhen we pulled it up. OMG!!!

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

Can you rent a machine? They loan them out here for about $20.

I highly recommend 'Resolve Pet Stain'. May not be of use now, but spraying that on fresh urine seemed to work for me.

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Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

We bought our own machine a few years ago. We also got a Bissell and love it!

I can't imagine paying a carpet cleaning company to come when I could spend the money on a machine and do it myself when I want to.

I tried the resolve, along with every other brand. They hid the smell for a while, and I thought it was gone until I pulled the carpet up. I just got used to smelling it. It never goes away and I will never have carpet in rooms with pets again.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

We use our own machine. I have had luck with the enzyme cleaners. Let them soak for a half an hour, then shampoo as normal. Next time you notice that the dog left a puddle on the carpet, soak it up with a dry towel. Then spray heavily with the enzyme cleaner (petastic is one), lay a dry towel or two on top, and something heavy on top of that. (we turned a stool upside down). Just forget about it for a few hours. Stain and smell will be gone. If it is an area rug, you can also put a dry towel underneath the rug.

I have a Hoover carpet cleaner. It's the 3rd one I've had in the last 20 years. I love it. I clean my carpets every 3 - 4 months. I would not live without it.

That being said, I think it is impossible to get the smell of pet potty - cats and dogs- out of a carpet. Even a professional carpet cleaning won't get it all out. The first time it is humid out, you will smell it. I've been there and tried everything.
Groovygirl is right about that.

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Donna

We have our own machine, but, I just had a professional company come do ours. The home machines don't have near the suction that a professional one has. Also, if you aren't careful, it is easy to saturate and hence ruin, your rugs. The water will get all the way down to the backing ,and mildew, etc.

I still use our machine (A bissell heat pro I think??) for small spills or messes, and to do the vehicles or furniture. Also, the professonials can apply a deodorizer and Scotch Guard.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.