Cleaning Up Pet Urine- 3 Tips
Cleaning Up Pet Urine
by Mason Riley
There are so many wonderful things about owning a pet, but cleaning up pet urine is definitely not one of them! Unsightly stains on your carpet, hardwood floors, upholstery, or patio aren’t any fun – so why not arm yourself with the knowledge you need to get rid of pet urine the right way?
Don’t let little accidents hurt your relationship with your furry friend. Here are 3 great tips for cleaning up pet urine!
Tip 1: Remove as Much Urine as You Can… Fast!
First things first: If you can blot up most of the urine with a paper towel or cloth rag, this minimizes the likelihood of a bad stain. So act quickly!
Ideally, you’ll start cleaning the carpet or other surface as soon as you notice a stain. If the spot is already dry by the time see it, dip your towel in some cold water first.
While you’re cleaning up the urine, be sure not to rub the stain by going side to side with the towel. Instead, blot it by pressing down and lifting away repeatedly, with the goal of absorbing the urine to get it out of the surface. You’ll want to keep going until the towel is coming up dry, even if you have to use multiple towels.
Tip 2: Use Your Own Solution
Assuming you don’t have a commercial product ready to spray on the spot, the next step is to embrace your inner mad scientist and put together a magic concoction that will help neutralize the stain and eliminate the smell!
One option is a homemade cleaning solution that’s half warm water and half vinegar, plus two tablespoons of baking soda. Vinegar does a great job of killing bacteria and eliminating that urine smell, and baking soda is also effective at getting rid of the smell.
There’s one other home solution you may consider on tough stains: hydrogen peroxide. Some people mix a little dish detergent with it, at a rate of one teaspoon of detergent per 3/4 cups of peroxide. You can sprinkle this over the spot instead of applying the water and vinegar mixture.
One important tip is to start by testing this on a small spot first, just to make sure there’s no discoloration. You should also remember that vinegar isn’t a good idea for material like marble or stone – just be aware of the surface in question before you use your entire cleaning solution on the area!
Tip 3: Wait… And Repeat if Necessary
After you’ve blotted up as much urine as you can and applied a cleaning solution (either a commercial one or your own homemade remedy), let everything dry for a few hours. Often, that’ll be enough to remove the stain and the smell.
However, in the case of particularly tough stains, once isn’t enough. In those instances, start over from the beginning. Even a completely dry spot with an invisible stain can still smell, so moisten a towel and blot again, then apply one of the cleaning solutions, and wait for it to dry.
If this still isn’t working, or you’re encountering old stains, you may need to graduate to an enzyme-based pet stain remover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent pet accidents?
Aside from ongoing pet training, one great way to prevent pet accidents is with a dog ramp like the ones from Chasing Tails, because a pet who’s having a tough time getting outside may end up peeing where they’re sitting. It’s definitely worth checking out if you have a smaller pet!
How do you neutralize the smell of dog urine?
You can use all kinds of cleaners! There are homemade solutions like vinegar and warm water, or hydrogen peroxide. You can also find a range of professional enzymatic cleaners.
Will rubbing alcohol remove pet urine?
Rubbing alcohol is a viable option for removing pet urine, but it’s probably overkill in most cases. If you choose to use it, just be sure you add it to your towel rather than pouring it directly on the stain.
What removes pet urine odor from concrete?
Concrete may seem like a hard, solid surface, but it’s actually porous. This allows stains and odors to set if they aren’t cleaned up. For concrete, an enzymatic cleaner is your best bet for removing the stain.
Final Note: Tips for Cleaning Up Pet Urine
Don’t let Fluffy and Spot ruin your day or your surfaces!
With these helpful tips for cleaning up pet urine, you should be able to handle any emergency that comes your way with ease. Click here to learn more about removing pet odors safely
Best of luck!
