How to Get Dog Pee Smell & Stains Out of Wood Furniture: 4 Simple Methods
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View 2 More +There's no doubt that you love your pooch madly. However, accidents on your precious wooden furniture or, worse, on your hardwood floors can drive you crazy. Worse, you know too well that you must act quickly when you find a puddle of urine on the ground, otherwise, it may seep into the wood, especially if it is not treated.
But if it's already too late, don't panic and follow our step-by-step guide to get the dog pee smell out of any wood furniture. If you catch your pup peeing on a chair leg or if you come across a puddle of fresh urine on your hardwood floor, wipe it up right away with a clean towel. Dab off as much liquid as possible to prevent it from penetrating your wood floor. But if it's already too late, follow one of the methods below.
How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Wood Furniture: 4 Methods
1. Use an Enzymatic Cleaner
Enzymatic cleaners can get rid of dog or cat urine odor with repeated application. Be sure to use an enzyme-based stain remover safe for hardwood floors.
Test it on a small area first, then follow the instructions on the product packaging. When the urine and its odor are eliminated, clean the floor with the products you normally use.
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2. Try Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another effective cleaning solution that is safe for humans and pets and won't harm hardwood floors when used properly. Even better, applying hydrogen peroxide to wood floors can leave them looking new.
- Soak a clean cloth in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Wring out the cloth if necessary and place it over the urine stain.
- Cover the cloth with plastic wrap and weigh it with a heavy book to keep it in place.
- Leave on for at least 8 hours to deodorize the soiled area.
- Then, wipe off the solution with a dry cloth. The hydrogen peroxide should have removed the stain and the pee smell.
- Repeat the previous steps if the odor is still present.
3. Diluted Vinegar and Baking Soda
It can be tricky to get rid of the powerful smell of dog pee that has permeated the wood, but luckily, this material holds up well to the common but oh-so-effective household products that everyone already has in their kitchen cupboard: the popular white vinegar and its inseparable friend, baking soda.
- First, dilute one part white vinegar to four parts room-temperature water.
- Gently rub the urine stain with a sponge.
- Leave on for about 10 minutes then wipe off with a clean cloth or paper towels.
- Sprinkle the stain liberally with baking soda.
- For best results, leave the baking soda on for at least 24 hours.
- Vacuum the next day.
Caution: Be sure to dilute the vinegar with water before using it on your hardwood floor, as pure vinegar may damage the floor’s seal.
4. Consider Having Your Hardwood Floors Sanded
If the dog pee smell won't go away, you may need to consider hiring a professional to restore your beautiful hardwood floor. Obviously, this solution is far from being the most economical, but it may be necessary when the urine has penetrated deep into your floor.
Sanding removes the top layer of hardwood flooring and effectively removes the lingering smell of dog pee. Thus, sanding is used to remove damaged wood prior to restoring the flooring.
- Side note: Be sure to treat the stained area with the other methods before sanding and refinishing your wood floor. By removing as much of the pee stain as possible first, less wood will need to be removed during the finishing process.
Why Is It Necessary to Eliminate the Smell of Dog Urine?
Beyond the obvious (who wants to keep dog pee smell present in their house?), there is another reason underlining the importance of eliminating the dog pee smell:
Quite simply because dogs have a much more developed sense of smell than ours. Thus, urine stains can become a recurring problem since your pup may come back to the same spot to pee. This is specifically due to marking and occurs mostly in unneutered dogs, but there are other reasons why your dog is relieving himself in your home.
How to Stop Your Dog from Peeing on Your Floor and Wood Furniture?
Proper cleaning and prevention is better than cure. Use products that are effective at lifting odors and stains the first time so your dog is less likely to have repeat accidents.
If you have a puppy or senior dog, there are solutions to prevent them from urinating in your home:
- Take Your Dog Out Regularly: Walk your puppy or adult dog several times a day to limit accidents. Take your pet out at least four times a day, but more often if he is very young or old. If necessary, hire a dog walker to pick up your furry friend from home.
- Bring Your Dog to the Vet: If your adult dog suddenly begins to urinate in the house, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. Urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common problems in adult dogs that pee repeatedly around the house.
- Use Dog Repellents: Some repellents, like these listed here, will prevent your pooch from urinating around the house. Make sure the product won't discolor your furniture or wood floors, and spray it liberally in areas where your dog usually pees.
If accidents happen frequently and you’re unsure of what’s causing them or how to prevent them, a consult with your vet could help!
Final Thoughts
While there is no magic bullet for removing urine from wooden furniture and floors, the methods above will help you in your war against the foul smell of dog pee. The most effective method will always be to wipe up the puddle of fresh urine as quickly as possible and using an enzyme cleaner to effectively lift any potential straces of stains and odors.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
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A biologist and science writer, Genevieve has a special fondness for capuchin monkeys, pumas, and kangaroos, which has inspired her to volunteer and work at wildlife rehabilitation centers in countries like Bolivia, Guatemala, Canada, and Australia. Now living as a Canadian expat in Argentina, she enjoys the sight of horses and cows outside her home office window every morning. Genevieve is the proud owner of three rescue dogs—Lemmy, Nala, and Pochi—and a lively kitten named Furiosa. She finds happiness and fulfillment in sharing her passion and extensive knowledge of animals with others.
