As with most blotches, the key to removing a pet urine stain is to act fast. If you're in luck, you'll catch your pet in the act. Even if you come upon a dried stain, though, there are a few ways to prevent lasting damage.
Not sure where to start? Here's a comprehensive guide to dealing with pet urine stains on your carpet, regardless of how fresh they are!
Dealing With New Urine Stains
The hardest part of dealing with a pet urine stain is finding out about it on time. Once you're aware of it, the cleaning process is quite simple. All you need for the job are these common household supplies:- Rubber gloves
- Paper towels
- Spray bottle
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish sponge
Soak up the Urine
First, put on your gloves and place a thick layer of paper towels over the stain. If your carpet allows for it, place the towels under the wet spot as well. Give the towels ten or so minutes to absorb most of the urine.Remove the towels and rinse the area with water. Use fresh towels to blot the stain, which will remove more moisture. The soggy towels may not smell too nice, which is good—it means they're drawing out a lot of urine.
Apply White Vinegar
Once you've blotted up most of the liquid, it's time to add vinegar. Mix one cup of distilled white vinegar and one cup of water, then add two teaspoons of baking soda. Put the mixture into a spray bottle, then shake it up a bit.Next, ensure that your type of carpet can handle vinegar. Spot-test the mixture by spraying it on a discreet area or a small corner of the carpet. If it looks good, apply the mixture on any carpet stains as well.
Let the vinegar sit for a few minutes before blotting the area dry. If the accident was minor, this should be enough to remove the stain. That said, chances are you'll still need to deal with the odors.
Get Rid of Odors
For this task, you're best off relying solely on baking soda. Sprinkle it on the stained area, but don't overdo it—1/4 of a cup or less should do it for most stains. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes or even overnight.Once the area is dry, vacuum it until it feels clean to the touch. Go over it several times to remove any excess powder. With some luck, your stained carpet will look as good as new!
Handling Old or Dried Stains
Sometimes, a pet pee accident may occur when you're not home. Other times, the stain may simply take more time to locate. In both cases, the pet stain may end up seeping into the carpet and shortening its lifespan.These stains—and their corresponding odors—are much harder to remove. Your best two stain removal options are an enzyme-based cleaner and a wet/dry vacuum. Here's how they work and how to use them.
Enzyme-Based Cleaner
An enzyme-based stain remover has two key benefits. First, it works on a molecular level to remove pet stains more efficiently. Second, it gets rid of odors to prevent pets from returning to the scene of the crime.Using a commercial cleaner is simple enough. Follow the directions on the label and apply the cleaner to the stain. Look for enzyme-based products made specifically for dealing with pet stains.
For safety purposes, ensure that the carpet is dry before allowing your pet back into the area. Coming into contact with a freshly treated carpet can lead to skin irritations or digestive issues.
If your pet does touch the product, wash their paws with water and mild soap. If they inhale the cleaner, expect some sneezing or a runny nose.
Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
If the urine smell is persistent, treat the carpet with a wet/dry vac. These vacuums are great for cat urine stains, which can be tough to clean. Don't use a steam vacuum, as the heat may cause permanent damage.Before using a wet/dry vac, rinse the area with plain water first. Then, keep saturating and vacuuming the stained area until it's clean. Don't forget to use the chemical cleaner that comes with the vacuum.
If you don't own a wet/dry vacuum, you can always rent one. Make sure to opt for a pet-specific model, such as the Bissell CrossWave line.
Preventing Future Accidents
Dealing with the accident is only one part of the stain removal process. The other part: finding out why the mishap occurred in the first place.For instance, you may still be potty training your pet. If so, inconvenient urination is something that comes with the territory. Pets that are getting up there in years may suffer from bladder incontinence.
If you have a young and potty-trained pet, though, accidents shouldn't happen that often. They may have some underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Check with your vet to see what's going on.
Does your pet keep peeing on the same spot on the carpet? If so, the smell from previous accidents is likely still lingering around. Confirm that the odor is completely gone before letting them back into the area.
Remove a Pet Urine Stain Today!
As long as you follow the above guide, you should be able to remove most pet stains. That said, there are limits to what you can do. If a urine stain is too stubborn, your best option may be to invest in a new carpet.If you opt for a replacement, consider getting a cut-pile carpet. These carpets are more durable and easier to maintain, which your pets will appreciate. Check out our carpet collection right here!
