What Carpet Type Is Best for Resisting Pet Accidents?

Location

• Before you choose a carpet type, you need to know what space you are carpeting. The carpet needs of a living room are different from those of a screened-in porch. The best carpet for the waiting room in a veterinarian's office will not hold the same appeal in a family den. Know what feel you are looking for while considering what carpet is the best in stain resistance.

Fibers

• For homes, Triexta is extremely resistant to pet accidents and is also aesthetically pleasing. It is colorfast and cleans up well while still remaining soft and similar to nylon carpets in look and feel. Polypropylene is also a colorfast fiber that is naturally stain resistant, which makes it good for families with pets. This latter carpet fiber is best for indoor-outdoor spaces as it comes in low heights instead of the plush carpeting that most people use indoors.

Other Considerations

• Nearly every carpet can be treated with stain-resistant sprays or foams, making them more moisture resistant and less likely to stain. Even if your carpet is naturally stain resistant, some experts recommend treating the carpet if you have pets or children to provide the best protection against spills, dirt and pet accidents.

Treatment

• Even with the best, most stain-resistant carpet, treating a pet accident or food spill immediately is vital to protecting your carpet. Blot, do not rub, the area until it's dry and treat it with a spot remover recommended by the manufacturer or retailer of your carpet. Special cleaners are available to treat pet accidents specifically since the smell and stains can be especially difficult to remove.