If you're a dog owner, there's a good chance you've wondered how to get dog pee out of the carpet. Whether you've recently brought home a new pup, have a new rescue who still needs to learn potty training, or have an elderly dog who may have a weak bladder, it's useful to know how to clean up any accidents. After all, the smell of dog urine can linger and stain your nice carpets and hardwood floors.
It's certainly a dreaded smell, dog pee, and it can ruin your lovely apartment or home, so it's important to get that smell out as soon as possible. There's a different approach depending on whether it's fresh or old dog urine, and there are also some different ways to handle it depending upon the surface - but don't fret.
This guide will walk you through how to get dog pee out of the carpet. After reading this, you'll be a master at erasing the smell and stain of dog urine.
How long does dog urine odor last?
A good reason to get dog urine out of the carpet as soon as you can is that the smell can last for a long time if it's settled in. The unpleasant stench can linger for months if not treated properly, and if it's an especially fluffy carpet that smell can really settle into the fibers.
Plus ammonia fumes can irritate your noise, throat, and lungs, so it can be especially irritating for asthma sufferers.
What neutralizes dog urine?
There are several things that neutralize dog urine and act as an opposite compound to the ammonia-based liquid. Some are things you may already have in your house like white vinegar and baking soda, while others are products you can buy in stores. We'll get into it all below.
How to get dog pee out of the carpet
1. If fresh, dry the carpet
First, make sure you put on gloves and grab some cleaning supplies like a dish sponge, toothbrush, or towel. If the area your dog urinated on is still wet, dab it with a clean and dry towel in order to soak up any excess moisture. This will make it easier to get the stain and smell out once you start treating it.
If it's an older stain or urine spot, soak the area with a vinegar solution. Here's how to make it.
2. Apply a vinegar-based solution
Mix one part vinegar to one part water in a container and pour over the affected area. Lightly scrub that spot - not too hard, as you don't want to push it deeper into the fibers - and then let that spot dry completely. If you have multiple areas, treat them all at once.
If it's a dry urine spot, absorb the vinegar solution with a clean, dry towel, then reapply the solution and let it soak in again.
3. Apply baking soda
Vinegar will help with reducing the stain, while baking soda will help remove the smell. Let baking soda sit for at least 15 minutes, but make sure it stays longer for any set-in orders. You can even let it sit overnight to help with really persistent odors.
5. Vacuum the area
Once the area you've treated is completely dry, vacuum the carpet to remove any of the excess baking soda. This will help you see if you got the stain out completely. If you find the stain is still there, you can re-treat the stain with the steps taken above, or try a new approach: a mix of one part water, one part hydrogen peroxide, and a small amount of dish detergent over more baking soda. Then gently scrub.
How to get rid of the smell of dog urine
You can follow all the steps listed below and may still have an issue with a lingering post-pee odor. If you try all of these at-home remedies and want to give something else a go, there are some products you can buy, including Nature's Miracle set-in stain destroyer, or the Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor remover spray.
How to get dog pee out of floors
Let's say you've solved the urine-in-the-carpet issue, but your pooch has either had accidents on your hardwood floor or it leaked through the carpet onto the hardwood. Don't fret, there are ways to get that stain out before you have to call the professionals. Try spraying hydrogen peroxide on the stained areas, then cover them with a piece of cloth or paper towel soaked in more hydrogen peroxide for around 15-20 minutes, then clean your for as you would usually.
If this doesn't help, you may need to get a professional cleaning and polishing.
How to get dog urine smells out of the backyard
If your pooch is trained well and goes potty outside, it's fairly easy to get the smell out of your backyard. Water will help, like a good rain or a solid sprinkler system, but if you find the smell persists you can always just you an outdoor odor eliminator, like Simple Green, which attaches to your house.
