Accidents happen to all of us, including our beloved pets. Even if your pet is the most well-behaved pet you’ve ever had, sometimes poor Fido or Mittens just can’t hold it in, leaving you with a stain that won’t come out and an odor that won’t go away. It’s helpful when you catch them in the act so you can clean the spot, but when it happens when you’re at work it can be even more difficult to clean.
To help with this common pet issue, we’ve compiled a few solutions to help you remove pet urine odor and stains:
1. DIY pet stain cleaner
The most important thing to do is to clean the urine while it’s still wet, giving you the best chance to avoid a stain. Once the stain dries the odor is trapped in the carpet or furniture fibers. If the stain is still wet, place a towel or a few layers of paper towels on the stain to absorb the liquid. Try standing on the towel to push it further into the fibers and absorb as much urine as possible. Next, treat the stain by using one of the following DIY stain and odor removal solutions, like the following options.
2. Baking soda and vinegar
As a non-toxic pet cleaner, it doesn’t get any better than baking soda and vinegar. To make, mix together 2 cups of vinegar, 2 cups of warm water, and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Add the solution to a spray bottle, spritz on the affected area, and let sit for up to 10 minutes. Afterwards, blot with a cloth and the stain should be gone.
3. Hydrogen peroxide and Dawn original dish soap
Another DIY mixture uses a half cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of Dawn original dish soap mixed together in a bowl. First, sprinkle baking soda on the stained area, then pour the mixture on top gently rubbing the area with a soft-bristled brush or cloth. Afterwards, vacuum the carpet. If the stain and odor persists, repeat the steps again.
4. Urine enzyme carpet cleaner
Urine enzyme carpet cleaners are an amazing natural cleaning product for those who worry about the potential health hazards of traditional chemical cleaners. These cleaners use enzymes and live bacteria to break down stains and odors. They are gentle on fabrics and surfaces while not containing harmful toxic ingredients. This type of cleaner is formulated to deal with organic stains, such as urine, feces, and blood. Each of these cleaners contains a different enzyme that works to break down different kinds of stains, but there are some formulated with multiple enzymes that can be used on a variety of stains.
5. Time is of the essence
When dealing with pet stains and odors it’s important to act as quickly as possible to clean it up. We recommend to avoid using a steam cleaner for pet stains because the heat from the steam can bond the urine protein into the carpet or upholstery fibers, making it permanent. If all other methods fail, you might need to call in reinforcements, such as a professional deep cleaning service.