Many households have pets. After all, pets add joy and fun into our lives. However, something else comes with owning a pet: occasional urine accidents. While young puppies and kittens are especially prone to accidents in the house, it can happen to the best of pets if they don’t get taken out soon enough, get odor, or just have an off day. Urine in the carpets causes many homeowners to panic, but you don’t need to worry! All you need to do is choose one of these methods proven to remove pet urine.
Do-It-Yourself Cleaning Solutions
A growing trend is DIY cleaning products. These are often considered cheaper and more environmentally friendly options to traditional cleaning products. While some DIY cleaning products aren’t effective, many actually work well when used right. If you are a DIY person, here are some methods that you can try out.
There are some important things to know when using a DIY cleaner. For starters, they can discolor your carpet, so check them in an inconspicuous spot (such as under furniture) before treating the whole stain. If your spot test goes well, you can move onto the stain. Start by gently blotting the area with a towel prior to applying the solution. When you apply the cleaner, remember to gently blot the stained area rather than scrubbing too hard, as this pushes the stain further into the carpet.
No matter what leaner you’re using, it’s wise to only use a small amount of solution at a time and repeat the process as needed. This will prevent the cleaning solution from building up too much, leaving behind a residue that actually attracts more dirt and stains in the future.
DIY #1 – Vinegar And Baking Soda
Lightly wet the stain with vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda on top. Don’t be alarmed when you hear or see fizzling. This is the baking soda and vinegar reacting together and is evidence it’s working.
Gently cover the stain with a towel or plastic wrap. Wait for the spot to dry completely (this typically takes up to 2 days), avoiding the area in the meantime. Once it’s dry, scoop up the leftover baking soda, rinse the stained area with water, then pat it dry. Repeat until you can’t smell the vinegar in the carpet anymore to ensure you rinse it all out. If needed, vacuum up any remaining baking powder.
DIY #2 – Dishwashing Detergent
For this recipe, it’s important to use dishwashing detergent—not dish soap. Combine ¼ teaspoon dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle and shake well to mix them. Spray the cleaning solution on the stain, then towel dry and vacuum the area. Repeat as needed until the stain is removed.
DIY #3 – Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix 4 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Combine the mixture in a spray bottle with a few drops of dish soap (soap this time, not detergent). Spray it on the stain. Lightly rinse the area with water, towel dry, and vacuum. Repeat as needed.
Store-Bought Stain Removers
If you’re not one for making your own cleaning products, there are many effective stain removers you can purchase in-store. Be sure to look for a non-toxic cleaner that will safe for your pet to be around. You may also want to check online reviews of the cleaner you’re looking at to see how well it has worked for others.
As with DIY cleaners, you will want to spot test the cleaning solution to make sure that it doesn’t harm the carpet’s color before applying to the whole stain.
Before spraying the cleaner, dry up as much moisture as you can with a towel if the stain is still fresh. Spray the cleaner, following any instructions on the bottle. Wipe the excess away with a towel. Then, rinse the area to remove any leftover residue, then towel dry and vacuum.
Always remember to use a small amount of cleaner then repeat the process as needed. Over-saturating the area can leave a dirt-attracting residue in your carpet.
Professional Carpet Cleaners
If you have tried a different cleaning solution and it didn’t work, you don’t want to deal with the pet urine yourself, or just want to know that it gets done correctly the first time, give your local professional carpet cleaners a call. If you’re in the Virginia Beach area, you should know that Southside Chem-Dry has a special pet urine removal treatment designed to break and remove pet urine stains AND odors for good.
The problem with some cleaning solutions is that they only remove surface stains. If the pet urine has sunk deep into the carpet fibers, backing, and pad, you won’t be able to get it out yourself without a lot of hard work. Our pet urine removal treatment is designed to break up the urine crystals deep in your carpets to eliminate the odor at the source.
See how the revolutionary Chem-Dry Pet Urine Removal Treatment works to break down pet odors and stains, and schedule your appointment today!