Ever notice how some pet odors don’t appear until the warmer weather arrives? I know it’s a few months away but let’s address the issue now for two reasons. The first reason is so that when you start smelling that pungent ammonia type scent you already know what’s going on. The second reason is so that Services Etcetera Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning can save you the precious time and money you could potentially spend figuring out you need professional help. 
Once you catch a whiff of that ammonia type smell you can be certain that the cause is at least 12 hours old. Fresh pet accidents won’t start out smelling that way and take a certain amount of time to cultivate. Then it’s all about the humidity, the moist sticky air that comes with those hot summer days. As that humid air flows through your carpet, there’s a very tiny amount of moisture being captured by the carpet’s face yarns.
Odors which have the “now you smell me now you don’t” problem are usually due to something trapped beneath the backing of the carpet. A carpet or rug dries much like a candle wick and sometimes we don’t immediately notice anything wrong. However, when summer rolls around that tiny amount of moisture from humid air creates a conduit for odor causing bacteria to come from underneath and permeate your home or office with its foul smell.
Depending on the severity of the root cause, there are several different methods that can be used to treat these smelly and phantom nuisances. Masking of odors is a quick fix but does not address the sanitary issues and long-term problem. A word of advice; never place a masking deodorizer in an area where it can’t be retrieved.
Normally sanitizing the area affected by the odor causing contamination is usually the best approach as it eliminates the source and is a permanent solution when done properly. This method may include replacing heavily soiled padding in affected areas. In extreme cases odors may be sealed over and can be used in conjunction with cleaning and sanitizing. Sometimes you may have corrected the problem but a residual odor may remain leading you to believe you weren’t successful.
Residual odors are odor molecules that have been absorbed by porous materials like fabrics, upholstery, the fan motor of the refrigerator and ceiling tile to mention a few. This particular problem requires an additional step which could be dry fogging or ozone generation. Odor removal is a science and regardless of who caused it, when it occurred and how it happened, pet odor removal requires someone with skill and knowledge. IICRC certified professional cleaners are a great start when choosing a company to call. Visit www.iicrc.org for a list of certified pros by zipcode.