Owning a dog is a big responsibility, but it’s also a rewarding experience in many ways. Along with the fun, snuggles, and bonding, though, typically come shenanigans and problems like urine stains left on the rug. Fortunately, pee accidents on the carpet aren’t the end of the world and can usually be cleaned up and never thought of again, especially if they’re caught before any stains are set. Here are a few tips and tricks for effectively getting dog pee out of your carpet.
First, Do This
When you spot a pee accident on your carpet, the first thing that you have to do is soak up as much of the urine as possible, no matter what tactics you decide to use to ensure that the urine smell goes away and that no stains set in. To do this, place a few layers of paper towels over the urine, and then cover those with a couple of layers of newspaper.
Let the paper soak up the urine naturally or press on the newspaper to speed up the process. Once the paper is soaked or it seems that most of the liquid has been absorbed from the carpet, throw the paper away, and rinse the area with cool water. Then, blot the water with more paper towels or an old dish towel.
With any luck, you’ll notice that the water that you’re absorbing is tinged yellow and even smells slightly like urine. This means that more urine is being soaked up.
The 4 Ways to Get Dog Pee Out of Your Carpet
Once the area has been dried, rinsed, and then dried again, you can use one of the following ideas to make sure the urine is thoroughly cleaned away.
1. Make Use of Baking Soda
An easy, effective, and economical way to get rid of the urine in your carpet is to treat the soiled area with baking soda. Simply spread an even, thin layer of baking soda over the damp area, and let it sit overnight (or at least a few hours). Finally, thoroughly vacuum up the baking soda and the surrounding area to finish the job.
2. Utilize a Stain and Odor Eliminator
A surefire way to make sure a pee accident on your carpet doesn’t leave behind any unpleasant odors is to use an enzymatic stain and odor eliminator to treat the soiled area after blotting and rinsing it.
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The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator is a perfect option because it’s designed to permanently get rid of urine odors and stains. The formula comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle to simplify treatments. It works on carpets, hardwood, furniture, and any fabric surface. It can also be used for other pet stains, such as vomit and feces.
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3. Create a Vinegar Solution
Another pet stain-removing option to consider is a vinegar spray solution. In a clean reusable spray bottle, combine about 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water. You can also add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda to the mixture for good measure. Shake the ingredients well, and then spray the urine-stained area until damp. After about half an hour, blot the spot with paper towels to absorb all the moisture.
4. Invest in a Spot-and-Stain Cleaner
If you don’t catch a pee accident soon enough and it dries out, it can be tough to get out the stain and odor with just baking soda or a vinegar solution. However, a spot-and-stain cleaner or a basic wet-dry vac can do the trick. These products will help wash the urine out of your carpet and thoroughly suck it all up so it doesn’t linger inside the carpet fibers.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What If a Urine Stain Can’t Be Found?
If you’re sure there is a stain because you smell it, but you can’t find where it is, you can turn off the lights and use a blacklight flashlight to look for it. The black light will illuminate any urine stains that are present on your carpet so you can treat them.
Can a Steam Cleaner Get Rid of Urine Stains?
It’s never a good idea to use a steam cleaner on a urine stain, as the heat from the steam will set the stain and lock in the odors. Use a regular wet vac to make easy work of pulling urine out of your carpet.
Conclusion
It is possible to get rid of urine stains that are lingering on your carpet, but the key is to find and treat the stains early while they’re still fresh. The longer a pet stain sits, the harder it will be to get out overall. One or more of the tips and tricks outlined here are sure to be effective and help ease the job of cleaning your carpet of doggy pee.
Featured Image Credit: Di Studio, Shutterstock
