Forget harsh chemicals. When it comes to getting rid of gross pet messes, make your own cleaning solutions that work just as well as the brand name products.

Every pet owner has that moment when you notice that funky odor that fills the air. As you go on a hunt for the source, scanning every inch of carpet or rug located throughout your home for telltale signs, you have a faint hope that the stain isn’t that bad. But when you find it, you realize that it’s going to take much more than you thought to clean and deodorize the special “gift” your pooch has left behind. Here’s the good news: you can create your own amazing and effective cleaning solutions for pet stains with ingredients you most likely have in your pantry.

Related:Top 10 Spring Cleaning Checklist for Pet Parents

Baking Soda and Vinegar Spray

This powerful stain remover has the ability to remove urine and blood stains. It even removes old stains that have been hiding for months. The miraculous combination of vinegar and baking soda also gets rid of the strong urine odor.

What you’ll need:

Spray bottle

4 tablespoons of baking soda

2 cups of white distilled vinegar

2 cups of lukewarm water

Directions:

Related:Top 5 Squeaky-Clean Cat-Safe Cleaning Products

Baking Soda and Peroxide Spray

This solution is great at breaking down the “crystals” of urine and removing deep stains.

What you’ll need:

A bowl

1 cup of baking soda

½ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide

1 teaspoon of dish liquid

Directions:

Enzyme Citrus Cleaner

This enzyme cleaner works just as well as the popular ones on the market. It takes a bit longer to prepare but it is worth the time. Enzymes are used to break down and digest stains on a molecular level. It also removes strong odors.

What you’ll need:

Large glass jar with lid

1 liter of water

1 ½ cups of orange or lemon peels

7 tablespoons of sugar

Directions:

Bonus Tip:

In addition to these awesome DIY cleaning solutions, you can also make your own carpet freshener. Place three cups of baking soda and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil such vanilla, sandalwood or lavender in a shaker jar. Mix them together using a fork to break-up any clumps that may form. Sprinkle it on your carpet and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes, then vacuum up the residue. Your carpet will smell amazing!

Shellie Sutera is a freelance writer from sunny Miami, Florida. When she’s not secretly smuggling her adorable dog Hercules into the local beaches for sun and surf, she’s a passionate writer that specializes in writing about dogs and all of their unique quirks. She spends her free time cooking Italian food, raft boating, volunteering and traveling to dog-friendly destinations.