How to Remove Parvo (Parvovirus) From Carpet and Couch

I’m so sorry that your dog is battling parvo. Learning that your dog has the viral infection is heartbreaking. Still, how fortunate that you acted fast, rushing your pup to a vet!

Typically, veterinarians keep parvo-infected animals for a few days. So, I imagine the doctor is now treating your dog.

Meanwhile, you’ll want to guard against re-infection, destroying all traces of the germ. Yet, the virus has immunity to most household disinfectants.

I want to help rid your home of parvo, promoting your dog’s recovery. If parvo gets on your carpet and couch, it’s especially tough to kill. Since the fabrics are porous, the germ sinks into their fibers.

In this post, I explain how to banish parvo on these two furnishings. When you’re done cleaning and disinfecting, you’ll feel empowered, sighing with relief.

How Parvo Spreads

First, let’s discuss why parvo is so hazardous.

Parvo is a severe digestive disease in dogs, fatal without urgent vet care. The germ at fault is the canine parvovirus (CPV).

This microbe triggers vomiting, weakness, appetite loss, and bloody diarrhea. Once CPV enters a dog, the germ lingers wherever the pup has an accident. Plus, an infected dog can spread parvo to other pups through their saliva and stool.

Most at risk for parvo are unvaccinated dogs, both puppies and adults. Still, even a vaccinated dog is vulnerable if their immune system is weak.

Did you know that the virus can stick to your clothing, skin, and shoes? Plus, the germ clings to a dog’s fur, especially on their paws. From these surfaces, parvo migrates to other areas of your home.

Viral Lifespan

CPV gets more active in cool weather. Outside, the microbe can dwell on concrete, rocks, and soil, persisting for up to a year. Indoors, without disinfection, parvo can prevail in fabrics for roughly six months.

That’s why you must squelch parvo before your dog returns home from the vet. So, let’s get busy treating your carpet and couch, starting with your rugs.

How to Get Parvo out of Carpet

Fresh Accidents

Are the soiled carpet areas still moist? If so, collect the following:

• – disposable gloves
• – paper towel roll
• – large plastic bag

Next, wearing gloves, scoop the vomit and diarrhea into the plastic bag. Then, blot your carpet with paper towels, soaking up the moisture.

As the towels get saturated, discard them in the plastic bag. Once you’ve sopped up all the body fluids, press a final paper towel onto each stain.

Dry Mishaps

Have the messes hardened? In that case, gather these supplies:

• – bottle of vinegar
• – spray bottle
• – large plastic bag
• – paper towels
• – disposable gloves

Pluck what you can from the carpet, exiling it to the plastic bag. Then, add equal parts vinegar and water to the spray bottle. Spritz the soiled areas thoroughly, saturating them with the mixture.

Now, let the solution sit until the debris thins out and pools, up to 10 minutes. Lastly, blot the puddles with paper towels, as for recent accidents.

Note – Vinegar will help lift the stains and deodorize your carpet. Still, vinegar won’t extinguish parvo.

Carpet Disinfection

While bleach kills the canine parvovirus, it’s not safe for cleaning rugs. Even bleach mixed with water will discolor your carpet. However, you can use diluted bleach on non-porous surfaces, such as tile.

Since parvo penetrates carpet fibers, they need heavy-duty disinfection. Still, you want to avoid rug damage.

The cleaning process below works great, destroying parvo while preserving your carpet. This method also lifts the stains caused by vomit, diarrhea, and blood.

Equipment and Supplies

• – carpet steamer
• – baking soda
• – hydrogen peroxide
• – 16-ounce spray bottle
• – dish detergent
• – pet-safe disinfectant

Do you own a carpet steamer? If not, you can rent one from your local hardware store. An upright machine is best, ideal for large cleaning jobs.

When shopping for a pet-safe germicide, be sure to examine labels. Look for the words, “kills parvo.”

Also, choose a product sanctioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For instance, Tek-Trol Disinfectant Cleaner meets these criteria, readily available online.

Procedure

You’ll clean the fabric in three stages:

• – surface treatment
• – stain removal
• – disinfection

1. Fill the carpet steamer with hot water, running the machine over your entire rug.

2. Next, you’ll combat the stains. Note that commercial pet stain removers may be too weak for blood. So, use the following treatment instead.

First, scatter a handful of baking soda over each soiled area. Then, pour ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide and a cup of water into the spray bottle. Add one teaspoon of dish detergent, shaking well. Now, saturate the stains, letting the mixture sit for 20 minutes.

3. Again, use the steamer with hot water, drawing the stains from your carpet.

4. Once they’re gone, get the carpet disinfectant, reading the label directions. Some products need dilution with water.

5. Pour the prepared germicide into the steamer. Next, pass the machine over your carpet, working slowly. This way, you’ll soak the fibers with the product, slaying the parvovirus.

Let the disinfectant sit for the time specified on the product label. Then, if the directions warrant, steam the carpet with hot water again.

6. Before walking on your carpet, let it dry thoroughly. Otherwise, mold and mildew can grow between the carpet padding and your floor. After steam cleaning, carpets can take up to six hours to dry.

Still, you can quicken the process. Start by opening your windows and doors, setting a fan nearby.

Do you have a dehumidifer? If so, station the appliance at the room entrance. If you’ve treated several rooms for parvo, rotate the dehumidifer between them.

How to Get Parvo out of Couch/Sofa

Precaution

First, check the label on your couch cushions for the following codes:

SW – means the fabric can handle dry solvents and water

X – both solvents and water will harm the material

If the label has an “X” code, hire an upholstery cleaning company. Be sure to specify that you need to destroy parvo on your sofa.

Is there an “SW” on the cushion tag? Hey, that’s great! So, let’s forge ahead.

Procedure

1. Remove the vomit and diarrhea, as described above under “Cleaning the Messes.”

2. Prepare to tackle the soiled areas, gathering your supplies:

• – baking soda
• – hydrogen peroxide
• – 16-ounce spray bottle
• – dish detergent
• – soft cloth
• – disposable gloves

3. Now, do a patch test on a hidden section of a couch cushion.

Wearing gloves, sprinkle baking soda on your test area. Then, in the spray bottle, combine ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide and a cup of water. Add a teaspoon of dish soap, shaking the mixture.

Next, mist the fabric sample, letting it bubble for a minute. Then, dab the test area with a dry cloth. Lastly, use cold water to rinse the cloth, wring it out, and wipe the cushion.

Is the test area marred? In that case, hire an upholstery cleaning company. If your couch looks fine, pursue all the stains with the peroxide solution.

4. Gear up to disinfect your couch.

Again, choose a pet-safe disinfectant. Experts on killing parvo recommend SNiPER, widely sold online. SNiPER has EPA approval, deactivating the virus with stabilized chlorine dioxide.

First, test SNiPER on a hidden area of your couch. If the fabric shows damage, call an upholstery cleaning professional. If your sofa remained intact, treat it with the disinfectant. You’ll need:

• – bottle of SNiPER spray
• – soft, absorbent cloths
• – water
• – disposable gloves

5. Use SNiPER to loosen any dirt or grime.

Wearing gloves, turn the adjustable nozzle to dispense a fine spray. Then, mist your sofa, letting the disinfectant sit for three minutes.

6. Destroy the parvovirus.

Wipe the fabric with a damp cloth. Next, spray your couch with SNiPER again. This time, let the product sit for 10 minutes, extinguishing parvo. Then, use dry cloths to blot the treated material.

Parvo Infection Free

I applaud you! You’ve done a stellar job of conquering parvo on your carpet and couch.

By now, you’re eager to bring your dog home, helping your cutie recover. I know your pup will be thrilled to see you, too.

May you have many delightful years together.

NOTE

This content is for informational purposes only, not a substitute for professional parvo disinfection. If your carpet and couch have delicate fabrics, hire a trustworthy cleaning company.

Our site is not liable for any accidental harm to your furnishings. Always remember to spot test new cleaning products before widespread use.