Your dog is more than a pet; it’s a beloved member of your family. You love waking up to their furry faces, going on adventures together, and sharing your life and home with them.
But as much as you love them, you definitely don’t love those occasional accidents they have on your floors.
Whether you’re working on potty-training your puppy, have an older dog, or are just facing an unfortunate accident, cleaning pet urine out of your favorite rugs and carpets can be a challenge. Luckily, there are answers. Here’s how to get dog pee smells and stains out of your carpet for good.
How To Clean Dog Pee Off Your Carpet: Step-By-Step
Act quickly.
When it comes to carpet stains, especially pet messes, time is of the essence. The longer it sits, the more time it has to work its way into your carpet’s fibers. The stain might even become permanent if it sits too long. As soon as you notice the accident, move to clean it right away.
Blot away as much of the liquid as you can.
Grab a clean cloth, paper towels, or a dry sponge, then apply gentle pressure to the area to blot up as much of the urine as you can. Make sure that you’re blotting, not rubbing or scrubbing, since this can actually work the liquid even further into your carpet fibers and, in the worst cases, cause lasting stains and damage. Keep going until the carpet is mostly dry.
Even if you catch the accident a little later and most of the accident has already dried, don’t skip this step: you can and should still blot the area. Just make sure to dampen your cloth or sponge a bit to reactivate the stain and lift some of the urine.
Make a cleaning solution.
After you’ve soaked up as much of the urine as you can, you’ve got to neutralize any lingering stains and smells with a cleaning solution. A simple mixture of vinegar and water is an excellent option since vinegar can help neutralize the ammonia that contributes to the smell of dog urine. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water, then generously apply to the stained area, making sure it fully penetrates the carpet fibers. Allow it to sit for about fifteen to twenty minutes to break down the odor-causing compounds. Then, use a clean cloth or paper towels to blot the area dry once again, removing as much moisture as you can.
Apply baking soda to the stain.
Because dog urine odors can be particularly stubborn, it’s also a good idea to apply baking soda to the affected area. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can soak up much of the moisture and odors that may still remain in the carpet after you’ve blotted and cleaned the area.
Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the area and let sit for a few hours, preferably overnight. Leaving the baking soda lets it fully penetrate your carpet fibers and absorb any of the remaining odors. Afterward, use a vacuum to thoroughly clean the baking soda. You may need to go over the area several times to make sure that no baking soda is left behind.
Use an enzymatic cleaner for stubborn stains.
After you’ve used your vinegar solution and baking soda, much of the stain and odor should be removed. However, especially tough stains may still remain, especially if the urine was allowed to sit for longer periods of time or if you have an especially absorbent carpet. In these cases, pet-specific enzyme cleaners are great options. These cleaners contain live bacteria that break down the proteins that are found in your dog’s urine, ultimately eliminating both the stain and the smells at a molecular level.
Choose an enzymatic cleaner that is specially formulated to tackle pet stains and odors to best address your problem. You should also read the labels to make sure that they’re suitable for your carpets and rugs. Some materials, like wool and silk, are more sensitive to chemicals, so make sure that you’re choosing one that won’t damage your rug.
Once you choose the right cleaner, follow the instructions to apply to your stain. It’s always a good idea to test your chosen cleaner on an inconspicuous spot on your carpet to make sure it won’t change its color or otherwise damage it. Then, apply your cleaner and let it rest for a few minutes based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Preventing future stains
While you can usually get dog pee stains and odors out of your carpets and rugs, it’s easier and less time consuming to prevent the accident from happening in the first place. If you’re having issues with your pets and accidents, here are a few tips.
- Stick to a regular routine. Dogs thrive on routine, which means that consistency can go a long way in helping prevent accidents whether you’re potty-training a puppy or caring for an older dog. Take your dogs out frequently, especially after meals and naps, and make sure to give them positive reinforcement for relieving themselves in the correct areas.
- Consider puppy pads. Sometimes, it’s not always possible to get our pets outside to the bathroom as often, especially for puppies still learning where to go. If you’re still working on potty training, consider using absorbent puppy pads and placing them in other areas to discourage your puppy from peeing on the absorbent carpet. Then, slowly move the puppy pads towards the door as your house training progresses.
- Use a deterrent spray. Dogs are highly dependent on their scent, and the scent of pee can act as a trigger to encourage more peeing in the area. To discourage your dog from peeing in the same area that you just cleaned, consider using a deterrent spray to mask the scent. These sprays are usually made with natural oils like lemongrass and peppermint that discourage your dog from marking the same area twice.
- Check in with your vet. If you’re facing repeated accidents, it’s well worth checking in with your vet to rule out any underlying health issues that are making it hard for your dog to hold their pee until they go outside.
Conclusion
Dealing with dog pee stains and odors can be frustrating, but it’s also a manageable problem as long as you have a game plan. By acting quickly and using appropriate cleaning solutions, you can ensure that your carpet stays clean, fresh, and free from unpleasant smells so that you and your pets can coexist happily.
Have questions about carpet care? Looking for a whole new carpet altogether? The flooring experts at Home Carpet One would love to chat with you!
