Cleaning and Stain Removal - cat messes
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ovia1833
09-14-09, 08:27 PM
I'm working on getting a house cleaned up right now to get ready to move into, and the previous renters left it a mess. There are cat stains everywhere and I'm seriously allergic to cats. We've scrubbed at the walls and have cleaned up all the visible messes, but I'm still getting sick every time I'm there. :confused:How can I get most of the cat allergens out? Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
Docduck
09-15-09, 01:32 AM
im guessing it has carpet and pad? if it does that has to go...subfloor would have to be sealed with a oil based primer or shellac..the walls and trim would have to have the same them.....your in for some work...basicly the whole house would have to be primed and sealed
Capable_Wife
09-15-09, 11:25 AM
I gotta agree with Doc, you'd be better off to find a new place to rent. The extra work wouldn't be worth it to you, seeing as you are a tenant and not an owner.
ovia1833
09-15-09, 06:13 PM
wow I had no idea it took that much to get cat allergens out! Out of curiosity is it the same with dogs? Unfortunately I may not be the owner, but I am tied into the house since I'm dating the owner. Would cleaning the carpets do anything to help?
Capable_Wife
09-15-09, 06:49 PM
wow I had no idea it took that much to get cat allergens out! Out of curiosity is it the same with dogs? Unfortunately I may not be the owner, but I am tied into the house since I'm dating the owner. Would cleaning the carpets do anything to help?
Maybe, but it won't decrease the smell if the smell is awful. My grandmother is ridiculously allergic to cats--if our clothes had cat hair on them, her eyes would swell shut, she'd have a sneezing fit, etc. If you are similar in nature, you'd be best off to rip out the carpet, put some Kilz (2-3 coats) on the subfloor and replace both carpet and padding. Then I'd Kilz and repaint the walls and possibly refinish/replace the trim. That will get rid of the smell and eliminate the allergens at the same time. It's a lot of work--that's why many landlords don't allow pets in rental properties, and why some potential tenants will find another place to rent.
Good luck to you on whatever you decide to do!
Maybe, but it won't decrease the smell if the smell is awful. My grandmother is ridiculously allergic to cats--if our clothes had cat hair on them, her eyes would swell shut, she'd have a sneezing fit, etc. If you are similar in nature, you'd be best off to rip out the carpet, put some Kilz (2-3 coats) on the subfloor and replace both carpet and padding. Then I'd Kilz and repaint the walls and possibly refinish/replace the trim. That will get rid of the smell and eliminate the allergens at the same time. It's a lot of work--that's why many landlords don't allow pets in rental properties, and why some potential tenants will find another place to rent.
Good luck to you on whatever you decide to do!
Docduck
09-15-09, 11:08 PM
for whatever reason cat urine contains a mixture of God knows what that makes it 100 times harder to cover up or remove than dog......i would suggest moving on...cleaning the carpet is not going to remove the stuff thats in the padding