How to remove dog urine smell from carpet

Every owner has to deal with dog urine on the carpet at some point in their lives. No matter how well-behaved a dog is, little mishaps can happen, and the scent left behind tends to linger. How to get dog urine smell out of carpet? Hill’s experts share proven methods.

Why is the smell of dog urine on the carpet so strong?

“Dog urine is a special cocktail of odors that is made up of hormones, bacteria, uric acid and ammonia,” says Hunker. Ammonia in the urine becomes more concentrated over time, turning into mercaptan, or methanethiol. It is a corrosive gas, giving both ammonia and dog urine a characteristic odor. For this reason, and because of the toxicity of ammonia, cleaning products containing ammonia are not recommended for removing urine stains. Not only will this make the stain more visible, but it will also exacerbate the smell.

How to get rid of the smell of dog urine

Cleaning dog urine from carpet is especially tricky, but you can wash it in the washing machine. However, an additional problem is that urine can seep into the lining under the carpet. Choosing the best way to get rid of carpet stains and urine odor will depend on how long ago the stain appeared and how many times your pet peed on that particular spot.

What to do if the dog pees on the carpet

The pet should only write on the street or on a special absorbent mat. But if that’s not the case, it’s best to be on the scene right away to get rid of the urine before it soaks into a stain. 

You can immediately clean up the puddle by blotting the puddle with a paper towel or an old T-shirt, which are usually more absorbent than a standard terry towel. This place must be sprinkled with baking soda to get rid of the remnants of the smell. Then you need to wait about 20 minutes and vacuum.

How to get rid of fresh dog urine stains

Mrs. Clean recommends making a simple cleaning solution if the stains haven’t soaked into the carpet yet. Its composition is safe for pets:

• 1 glass of water;
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide.

You need to blot the stain first to absorb as much urine as possible. Then mix these ingredients in a spray bottle and spray generously on the stain. If the stain has had time to dry, you need to moisten it with water before processing.

Next, you need to rub the solution into the carpet with a brush or with your hands, after putting on rubber gloves. Wait a few minutes and then blot the stain and repeat until the stain is dry. After the stain is completely dry, sprinkle it with baking soda and then vacuum it to remove any remaining odor.

Vinegar and baking soda are not only non-toxic, but they can effectively remove urine and neutralize odors before they even appear. XNUMX% hydrogen peroxide is safe for both pets and carpets, and does not stain. 

Instead of hydrogen peroxide, you can use oxygen bleach, which has a similar effect and is also safe for both carpet and dog. Do not use chlorine bleach to remove pet stains, as it is toxic to pets and can ruin carpet. In any case, you should first test in an inconspicuous place to avoid discoloration or damage.

How to get rid of old dog urine stains

A homemade cleaner is unlikely to remove old marks. Removing the smell in this case is possible only in one way: with the help of an enzymatic stain remover. It can usually be found in pet stores or in the pet supplies or cleaning departments of your local supermarket. Be sure to check the product label to make sure it is non-toxic and safe for pets.

The enzymes in this type of purifier work by breaking down the ammonia and proteins in the urine and neutralizing odor. The instructions on the packaging must be followed. Generally, enzymatic cleaners do not require rinsing and can be safely used on carpets, as well as furniture, wood floors, and other porous surfaces that can trap odors.

How to remove the smell of dog urine, if nothing helps

If none of the above methods of removing stains from the carpet works, and the smell remains, it may be time for a comprehensive carpet cleaning. To do this, you can hire specialists, or you can clean it yourself by renting a washing vacuum cleaner for carpets. 

If the pet often leaves such marks, you can purchase a washing vacuum cleaner for carpets. It cleans and deodorizes much more effectively than spot treatment.

It is important to remember that steam cleaners and vacuum cleaners based on thermal technologies must be avoided. From the impact of heat on the stain, the unpleasant smell of urine proteins will only be more absorbed into the fibers of the carpet. As a result, the smell will be impossible to remove, writes Cuteness.

How to wash the smell of dog urine from a cage or bed

Sometimes, as a result of such accidental incidents, it is not the carpet that suffers, but the dog’s bed. You can clean urine from a dog bed and a dog cage in the following ways.

Dog cage

1. Remove all bedding from the cage.
2. Take the cage outside and spray it with a garden hose, or place it in a bathtub and rinse thoroughly with water and a pet-safe detergent. If this is not possible, spray the cage with a pet-safe cleaning solution and wipe it down with a rag.
3. If the cage is plastic, it can absorb urine odor. You need to spray the floor of the cage with an enzymatic cleaner and let it dry completely.

dog bed

The dog bed can be washed in the washing machine according to the instructions if it fits. Should not be washed at hot temperatures, as the smell may permanently eat in. 

Use a mild, pet-safe detergent, added vinegar, oxygen bleach, or an enzymatic cleaner to neutralize odors and remove stains.

For beds that are not machine washable, you can use the following recommendations from Dogster:

1. If the bed has a removable cover, remove and wash it according to label instructions.
2. Vacuum the bed to remove dog hair or dander that has fallen under the cover.
3. Place the bed in a bath with warm, but not hot, water and a mild detergent. Add vinegar, oxygen bleach, or an enzyme solution to the water to neutralize odors and remove stains. Hold the bed in the bath so that it is completely saturated, and rub the fabric with detergent.
4. Drain the tub and refill it with cool, clean water to rinse the bed. The procedure must be repeated until all the cleaning agent is rinsed out. You may have to fill the tub several times.
5. should be squeezed out and dried bed.

If little troubles happen often

If the dog is no longer a puppy that still needs to be potty trained, and puddles are still appearing on the carpet, a veterinarian should be consulted. Although problems with the urinary system are less common in dogs than in cats, frequent incidents in the home can indicate a serious health problem. 

You can discuss this problem and any other noticeable changes in the animal’s behavior with your veterinarian. The specialist will create a treatment plan that will help the dog return to good health and mood.

Piss on the carpet is not the most pleasant thing, but fortunately, with such an abundance of possible solutions, the owner will not have to endure this smell for long.