As a carpet cleaning company with over 10 years of experience, we know how frustrating it can be when your beloved pooch has an accident on the carpet. Dog urine can leave behind tough stains and even tougher odors if not cleaned up promptly and properly.
The good news is that with the right products and techniques, you can get dog pee stains and smells out of carpet, keeping your home fresh and clean. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline the best methods for removing dog urine from carpet, whether it’s a fresh accident or an old dried stain.
Act Quickly for Fresh Dog Urine Accidents
When it comes to dog pee on carpets, timing is everything. The quicker you can get to the accident, the easier it will be to fully remove the urine and prevent lasting stains or smells. Here are the basic steps to take right after your dog pees on the carpet:
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Blot up excess urine: Immediately after noticing the accident, start blotting the area with paper towels or an absorbent cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing, which can spread the urine deeper into the carpet fibers.
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Rinse with water: Once you’ve soaked up any excess urine, rinse the area thoroughly with cool water. This will help dilute and flush out the urine from the carpet. Blot up the rinse water with more towels.
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Apply an enzyme cleaner: Enzyme-based cleaners work at the molecular level to fully break down and eliminate pet urine odors. Look for one specially formulated for pet stains. Spray or gently work the cleaner into the affected area.
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Let dry: Follow the cleaner’s instructions for drying time, which is usually 30 minutes to a few hours. The enzymes need time to do their work neutralizing odors.
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Rinse and blot again: Once the area is fully dry, rinse it with clean water and blot up remaining moisture with a towel. This removes any cleaner residue that could attract dirt.
By tackling accidents ASAP, you’ll have the best shot at removing all traces of dog pee smell from your carpets. But what if you discover an old, dried stain? Keep reading for urine removal tips for set-in stains.
DIY Cleaning Solutions for Dried Dog Urine Stains
Even old, dried stains can often be lifted with some persistence and the right cleaning methods. Here are some of our top DIY solutions for removing stubborn dried dog urine from carpets:
Vinegar and Water
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the affected area, let sit for 5-10 minutes, and blot with a clean towel. The vinegar helps neutralize odors and lift stains while being safe for carpets.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
Combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part dish liquid, and 2 parts water. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently work the solution into the stain. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and blot dry with a towel. The peroxide breaks down the urine while the soap helps release stains.
Baking Soda
Cover the stained area with a generous layer of baking soda. Let sit overnight. The baking soda will draw out remaining odors from the carpet. Vacuum thoroughly the next day to lift the dried baking soda. You can also combine baking soda with vinegar or peroxide for extra cleaning power.
Note: Always spot test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area of carpet first to ensure they don’t discolor or damage fibers.
Helpful Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dog Urine
In addition to using the right stain-fighting solutions, there are some other useful tips that can boost your carpet cleaning effectiveness when dealing with dog pee:
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Use an LED blacklight to identify all urine stains, even ones not visible to the naked eye. The ultraviolet light will make dried urine glow, so you know all areas to treat.
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Work from the outside of the stain inward to avoid spreading the urine deeper into the carpet.
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Rinse with cool water, never hot. Heat can set urine stains and odors rather than remove them.
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Use an enzymatic cleaner designed specifically for eliminating pet urine smells, which contain unique enzymes to break down the compounds in dog pee.
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After blotting up excess moisture, place several layers of white paper towels over the stain and weigh them down with a heavy object like books or pots. This will draw remaining moisture up through the carpet as it dries.
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Consider renting or purchasing a carpet steam cleaning machine to deep clean urine-soaked areas after pretreating with a cleaner. The hot water extraction gets stains out of the carpet pads and base as well.
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If stains and odors persist even after cleaning, call in a professional carpet cleaning company to deep clean with industrial-strength pet odor removers. Avoid DIY carpet shampoo rentals from retail stores, as these are not strong enough for set-in pet stains.
With the right tools and techniques, even the most troublesome dried dog urine stains can be conquered. The key is using cleaning products containing active enzymes that work to fully neutralize odors at the molecular level.
Helpful Products for Removing Dog Pee from Carpets
Having the right supplies makes cleaning up dog accidents on carpets much easier. Here are some of our top recommended products for effectively tackling urine stains and smells:
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Bissell Pet Stain Eraser: This handy portable cleaner is designed for pet messes, with strong suction plus an integrated brush to work out stains. The removable water tank makes trips to the sink for rinsing easy.
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Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator: This enzyme-powered spray gets rave reviews for permanently removing stubborn pet stains and odors. The concentrated formula can tackle even old, set-in urine stains.
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Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer: An enzyme-based cleaner specifically formulated to eliminate pet urine odors and stains permanently on surfaces including carpets. It contains no harsh chemicals.
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Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator: This citrus-scented spray utilizes natural powerhouse enzymes to break down urine molecules and banish smells. It also disinfects carpets.
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Blacklight Flashlights: An LED blacklight illuminates all urine spots, even once dry and invisible to the naked eye. Allows you to fully treat every pee spot for complete odor removal.
Having the right stain-fighting carpet cleaning products handy makes it much easier to promptly and effectively remove any dog accidents, so you can keep your carpets fresh, clean, and urine-free.
Preventing Future Dog Pee Incidents
While cleaning up the occasional accident is part of being a pet parent, repeated urinating inside points to a potential underlying issue needing attention. Here are some tips to curb indoor peeing and keep your carpets protected:
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Stick to a consistent potty schedule, especially for young puppies or untrained dogs. Take them out to pee every 2-4 hours as well as shortly after eating, drinking, playtime, and naps.
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If your dog is urinating frequently or struggling to hold it between potty breaks, visit your vet to rule out a UTI or other medical issue.
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Thoroughly clean any previous accident sites with an enzyme cleaner to remove all traces of urine smell, so your dog isn’t attracted to pee there again.
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Restrict access if your dog repeatedly urinates in a certain room or area. Use baby gates, close doors, or crate train while you work to correct the behavior.
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Use repellent sprays designed to deter pets from urinating in off-limit spots. Look for humane products containing oils like lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus etc.
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Stay calm and avoid punishing your dog if you catch them mid-accident. Harsh discipline can make the problem worse. Instead interrupt with a firm “ah ah!” then rush them outside. Praise for finishing in the correct potty spot.
While the occasional accident can be expected with furry family members, consistent indoor urinating usually indicates a problem needing veterinary or behavioral intervention. Talk to your vet to rule out medical causes, then consider hiring an accredited dog trainer or behaviorist if necessary to get to the root of the issue. Consistency, positive reinforcement, and removing all traces of previous accidents are key to breaking the habit.
When to Call in a Professional Carpet Cleaning Service
For light stains on new accidents you promptly discovered, DIY cleaning methods may get your carpets fresh again. But for heavy staining or persistent odors that you just can’t get rid of on your own, calling in the professionals is probably your best bet for getting your carpets back to pre-accident glory.
Signs it’s time to hire professional carpet cleaners include:
- Old, heavy stains that have soaked down into carpet backing and pads
- Lingering odors even after DIY cleaning with pet enzyme products
- Accidents that weren’t able