Simple Solution Stain & Odor Remover is really my go-to carpet stain remover for any and all dog-related mishaps. From housebreaking accidents to upset stomachs to muddy paws, Simple Solution’s formula keeps my carpet from getting stained. We’re always pretty good about addressing any messes, so they don’t have much time to set. However, you never know, and this is an easy product to use to keep stains and odors away. (You don’t want any odor to remain, because the dog might revisit the spot.) They make a variety of products using the same solution, just depends on your needs. The Spray works well for us, and we’re still on our first bottle. These days, we generally use it to clean up any muddy paw prints from the winter/spring as they happen.

Bags on Boad Bags ($11.99 for 120 bags) make clean-up a no-brainer. I personally just buy the refill bags, because it’s all I need, but I’ve seen lots of other dog owners with the holder on leashes, too. These bags are big enough to accommodate messes from labradors (and there’s room to go — so I’d assume giant breeds, too). For smaller dogs, they might be a bit overkill, but I like knowing I always have a reliable bag on hand. Grocery bags work in a pinch, but they’re not as convenient, and sometimes there are holes in them that you only find about later (ew!). I can handle 10 cents a bag! They even have scented ones, which smell all right–very perfumey–but will help disguise odors well enough.