How To Get Pet Urine of out your Carpet
Even a well-trained dog or cat may sometimes have an accident on the carpet.
You know that pet-urine stains on your carpet can look bad, but more importantly, they can eventually pose a health risk if they're not handled right away.
We feel it's always best to be prepared for such an event.
It's also important to take care of the issue
RIGHT AWAY!
How to Handle
New (Wet) Pet Urine Spots
on your Carpet
We recommend cleaning pet urine spots the moment that you notice it. Fresher stains are easier to get rid of, and sooner is always better than later.
If you wait too long, bacteria can start to grow in the affected area, which leads to unpleasant odors and potential health risks.
1. Gather the following pet pee "first-aid" kit materials:
*Hopefully you've prepared for such an emergency in advance!*
- White Vinegar Solution, 50% Vinegar / 50% Water
- Baking Soda
- Spray Bottle (optional)
- Paper Towels, Old Newspapers
- Small Plastic Trash Bags
2. Use Paper Towels to Soak Up as Much Pee as Possible
Place a thick layer of paper towels on the wet spot and cover that with a layer of old newspaper, making sure that the paper towel layer is large enough to block the magazine or newspaper layer from contacting the carpet directly. If the pee is on a rug, place a layer of newspapers UNDER the spot as well. Stand on the paper layers for a minute, and repeat with fresh towels and newspapers until most of the pee is sopped up.
3. Do you have a Wet/Dry Shop Vac?
If you have a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, or if you can borrow one, use it to extract any remaining urine. If you don’t have one, it's ok. Go to the next step.
4. Spray with Vinegar Solution
Spray the affected urine spot with the 50% White Water / 50% Vinegar solution. Vinegar is acidic, and it's a natural antibacterial cleanser, as well as being antimicrobial and antiseptic. Vinegar is cheap, pet safe, eco-friendly.
5. Top with Baking Soda
Pour a little baking soda over the vinegar mixture. You'll notice a little foaming action on contact with the vinegar. Cover with a paper towel for a few hours.
Note: You can also use an enzymatic cleaner to remove the pet urine. These are available at most pet stores, and have many terrific benefits. Read the instructions and warnings carefully before applying to your carpet.
6. Rinse, Dry, and Vacuum
Rinse the area with cool water, and BLOT as much rinse water out with paper towels as possible.
Give it time to completely dry, and then vacuum the area.
How to Handle
Dry, Set-in Pet Urine Stains
Your dog has peed on your carpet, and an ugly stain has set in. Now you’re wondering: How do I get old dog urine stains out of the carpet?
1. Gather the following dry-urine stain
"first-aid" kit materials:
*Hopefully you've prepared for such an emergency in advance!*
- Dish Soap**
- Spray Bottle
- Clean White Paper Towels
- Small Plastic Trash Bags
** What kind of Dish Soap: A clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy, or Clear Ivory is recommended. Do not use detergents that are cloudy or creamy, because they may leave a sticky residue.
I like to be prepared, so I have a little dish soap ready to go in a small vessel where I can add water and put it in a spray bottle at the moment I need it.
1. Make Dish Soap Solution
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap with 1 cup warm water. Stir until the mixture becomes sudsy.
2. Pour on the Stain
Pour the soapy water solution onto the stain until it's thoroughly wetted down.
If you have a spray bottle, pour the solution into it, and spray directly on the stain until it's thoroughly wet.
3. Blot the Soapy Water from the Carpet
Blot the area dry with a layer of paper towels by standing on it. Repeat with clean dry towels as necessary to remove as much of the soapy liquid as possible.
If you have a wet-vac, this is a good time to use it! You can extract much of the solution from the carpet with this tool.
Repeat steps 1-3 until you are pleased with the results.
4. Rinse the Area with Clean Warm Water
After rinsing the area with warm water, be sure to blot up as much water as possible.
You can purchase a commercial-grade pet stain remover at the store. These contain powerful enzymes that attack the stain.
Use a high-quality pet odor neutralizer once the area is clean.
Tip:
Use a Black Light
to Find Stains
Urine stains may smell bad, but they are not always obvious to the naked eye, especially on dark carpets. But under ultraviolet light (black light), those dried urine crystals are easy to see. Here’s how to find those spots:
First vacuum your carpet to remove all lint, pet fur and dirt.
Then turn off the lights, close the shades and get the room as dark as possible.
Put on safety goggles to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light.
Scan the carpet with the black light 1-2 feet above the floor. Urine stains will be dull in color and appear green or brownish yellow.
You can use "the smell test" to confirm that the stain is dog urine.
Mark the area with a piece of tape, and clean using the steps above.
If none of the above methods make a difference, it’s likely time to rely on your friendly local professional. Give My Pro Cleaner™ a call, and we'll help you — we're here to serve!
If you have any questions about this article, or anything related to cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, and maintaining a healthy home, please feel free to give me a call, and let's talk!