You love your canine companion, and a new puppy is a joy to the whole family. However, life with dogs means urine accidents in the house, and you want to keep a clean home that doesn’t smell like dog urine. When your pet has an accident indoors, it can be challenging to get the smell out of your carpets, even after the wetness is dry. Here are some ideas from the professionals on how to keep your carpets clean after your dog has had an accident.
How to Clean Dog Pee From Carpets & Rugs
The shelves at the retail giants are full of potions to clean up after your pet. However, many homeowners are surprised to learn that some of the most powerful secrets to getting the smell of dog urine out of carpets are everyday household products present in most cabinets and pantries. Check out these surprising tools for cleaning up dog urine that you probably already have on hand.
1. Soap and Blot
The soap and blot method is most effective immediately after your pet has an accident. If you catch your pup in the act of urinating inside, you have the best chance at getting the smell out right away. Start with a paper towel and some dishwashing soap. Put a few drops of the soap and a little water onto the urine spot and blot with the paper towel. It’s tempting to rub the area but don’t, as that kind of motion pushes the urine further into the carpet instead of drawing it out.
Sometimes dog urine stains are in an area that is difficult to reach. If you have trouble getting on your hands and knees or squatting to blot the stain, you can use your feet instead. Try laying the paper towel over the spot and stepping on it. The pressure should be enough to blot up the site. Repeat this as many times as necessary to get the urine and smell out of the carpet. These steps may be enough to remove the urine and all traces of it.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
The paper and soap method is effective on new stains. Unfortunately, pet owners don’t always find their furry friend’s messes as soon as they happen. Often you don’t see the spot until after it’s already dried. That’s where baking soda and vinegar come in handy.
- Start with the baking soda. Pour it over the urine stain and let it sit overnight. The next day, pour a little white vinegar over the soda and let it stay there for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to use too much, or your carpet may smell like vinegar instead of dog urine. Use a clean and dry cloth to dab out the vinegar.
- You can also mix up a large batch of this cleaning solution to keep on hand, which is incredibly convenient if you are house training a new puppy. Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar, and two tablespoons of baking soda in a spray bottle and shake it up. Spray it directly on the dog pee on the carpet and let it sit for about six minutes, and blot the spot.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has many uses in medicine and as a cleaner/disinfectant. It’s also an excellent tool for removing dog urine and its associated smell. The easiest way to use it is to pour some peroxide urine remover into a spray bottle and soak the area with a few spritzes. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then clean it up with a clean cloth, either dabbing or blotting but never rubbing. Hydrogen peroxide for urine stains can be highly effective.
4. Enzymes
If none of these home remedies work, you can also try a solution from the store. Many excellent enzyme cleaners are available at pet stores and other retailers, including “Nature’s Miracle” and “Vet’s Trust.” Enzyme cleaners use proteins that bind to the urine molecules and the associated bacteria. The enzyme breaks down the urine and dissolves it.
Most of the store-bought enzyme cleaners come in a spray bottle to make them easy to use. All you have to do is point the nozzle at the spot and spray. Some cleaners take longer to work than others. Some will remove the urine and the smell within 24 hours, while others take a few weeks. If you need the spot cleaned up right away, be sure to choose a cleaner that works quickly. No matter which one you choose, always read the directions on the bottle carefully and follow them closely.
How to Get Dog Urine Smell Out of Carpets
Sometimes a urine stain is so deeply embedded that none of the home remedies or off-the-shelf cleaners can eradicate it. When that is the case, you still have two more options on how to clean dog pee from carpet.
1. Rent or Buy a Carpet Cleaner
You can rent or buy a carpet cleaning machine that can perform a deep clean. You can rent a machine at many carpet stores, rental companies, and even grocery stores. If you think you’ll use the machine regularly, it may be more cost-effective to purchase one rather than rent one. Either way, make sure you understand how to use the machine correctly to avoid damaging your floors.
2. Get Professional Help
Suppose you can smell dog urine in the room, but you don’t know where it’s coming from or maybe it’s so deeply embedded that you can’t remove it, even with a carpet machine. Call in the professionals who know how to get dog pee out of carpet when all else fails.
Professional Carpet Cleaning in Fargo & Grand Forks, ND
Steamatic of the Red River Valley has been helping clients keep their homes clean since 1995. If you need help with dog urine stains on carpets, or with cleaning dog urine from hard surfaces, we can help. Our first-class customer service is even more impressive than our state-of-the-art cleaning tools and solutions. Contact us today and let our friendly and knowledgeable professionals help you get your living space clean and smelling fresh.
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