Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Remove Black Urine Stains From Hardwood Floors: 4 Easy Ways

Cleaning materials on the floo

If your hardwoods are precious to you, having an unsightly urine stain is probably a real problem in your home. Sure, you can throw a rug over it—but wouldn’t it be better to obliterate it? Let’s take a look at how to tackle these stubborn stains.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

The 4 Ways to Remove Black Urine Stains From Hardwood Floors

1. Commercial Cleaner – Most Effective

Cleaning spray
Image Credit: polina_tankilevitch, Pexels

Naturally, the first option you have is a commercial cleaner you buy at the store or online. They have tons of products designed just for the task of removing harsh stains from hardwood surfaces.

You might have to do some research at first. After all, there are eco-friendly products that are natural and safe. There are powerful chemical compounds that do the job with zest. They have multiple companies, textures, and potencies.

Since each enzyme cleaner is so remarkably different, there are no one-size-fits-all instructions on the subject. Always make sure to follow the steps exactly as directed.

Our Favorite Cleaner

Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is our favorite all-purpose cleaner for pet messes. It permanently lifts the very worst stains and odors, making clean-up and accident prevention a breeze. Hepper offers a 100% guarantee, which is a great bonus! Learn more about it here.

Rating Image Product Details
Best Enzymatic Cleaner
Winner
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • All-purpose
  • Pet-safe
  • Multi-surface safe
  • At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!


    2. Hydrogen Peroxide

    Hydrogen Peroxide
    Image Credit: pedphoto36pm, Shutterstock

    Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent, inexpensive way to remove these stains from hardwood. It has natural whitening properties that remove these stubborn dark stains quickly and efficiently.

    You will need a spare cloth or absorbent cleaning agent, peroxide, and water for this method.

    Gently dab the rag with hydrogen peroxide and scrub the area—do not saturate the floor. You should see it naturally lift as you gently work at the stain.

    Once you’ve removed the stain, you can do a quick wipe-down with water to remove the residual peroxide. As the area dries, you should see the area turn a uniform color.


    3. White Vinegar

    white vinegar on the wooden table top
    Image Credit: focal point, Shutterstock

    White vinegar is practically a miracle cure-all for stains and smells. It’s used in all sorts of natural concoctions since it removes tough stains and cancels out bad odors with its acidic pH.

    All you have to do is grab a spray bottle or small tub. Mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of water to make an equal mix.

    Spray or saturate the stain vigorously. You can allow the vinegar to be set on the stain for up to 10 minutes for optimal effectiveness.

    Blot up any residual vinegar with a dry rag or cloth. Take a damp cloth or towel and clean the area, ensuring a vinegar-free surface.


    4. Baking Soda

    a bowl of baking soda
    Image Credit: NatureFriend, Pixabay

    Baking soda is another household favorite that is incredibly good at getting stains out. It has natural whitening agents that lift dark urine spots.

    Simply take a small bowl of baking soda and mix it with just enough water to form a paste. Place a layer of the paste over the entire stain.

    Let the mix sit on the stain for several minutes to work its magic. Once the baking soda dries back to powder, you can simply vacuum up the area.

    divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

    How to Protect Hardwood From Accidents

    The best way to handle the problem is to avoid it altogether. Sure, a few accidents might have happened recently, but you can prevent them from happening again in the future. The first tip is to restrict access until the problem is resolved—whether it be house training, a health issue, or a litter box problem.

    Proper cleaning will prevent accidents from recurring in the same spot and we suggest that you use an enzyme spray for the most effective treatment. But after a while, you will want them to free-roam the house. Just make sure to think of reinforcements, like pet diapers, pee pads, and deterrent sprays.

    Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
    • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
    • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
    • FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...

    If you think your dog or cat is having unusual or out-of-character accidents, get them to the vet as soon as you can to rule out anything more serious.

    If accidents are frequent and you are unsure of what is causing them or how to prevent them, a consult with your vet could help!

    If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

    PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1

    divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

    Final Thoughts

    We believe pets and homes can coexist without too much damage. If you know a few tricks and hacks to get urine stains off your floors, among others, you can manage a pet-friendly home with minimal hassle.

    Luckily, most solutions are simple, one-ingredient options you probably already have in your cupboard at home. Just go whip up your concoction and remove those stains once and for all!


    Featured Image Credit: Mariakray, Pixabay

    Want content like this delivered to you?

    Sign Up For Our Newsletter

    News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

    * By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

    Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

    Your feedback really matters.

    What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

    Join the conversation

    Leave a Reply

    You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

    Talk With A Vet Online

    Peace of mind,
    anywhere, anytime

    Affordable vet advice

    What Is Crude Fiber in Dog Food? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

    Finding good dog food can certainly be an uphill battle in many ways. Whether the problem is finding food that has the right...

    10 Best Dog Foods for Active Dogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

    If you have an active dog, you may have found that you struggle with keeping weight on your dog, no matter how much...

    Do Cockapoos Get Separation Anxiety? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

    Separation anxiety is not exclusive to one dog breed. All dogs are susceptible to getting stressed out when they are left alone. Unfortunately,...

    Hydrophobia in Dogs: Vet-Verified Signs, Causes & Care Guide

    Many people associate hydrophobia with rabies because one of the signs of the paralytic variant is paralysis of the jaw muscles and throat,...

    More related

    Can Dogs Have Tums? The Surprising Answer!

    If that mouth-watering pepperoni pizza that you wolfed down for dinner gave you terrible heartburn, you can take a few antacids and be...

    Toy Pom Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Traits & Pictures

    The Toy Pom Terrier, also known as the Pom Terrier, is a designer dog that one would easily mistake for a plush toy....

    Will Classical Music Calm My Dog? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

    If you have a nervous dog at home, one who quakes with anxiety whenever they’re left alone, you might be looking for ways...

    Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (Jan 16, 2025)

    This Week’s Winner Cutest Most Expressive Sleepiest Silliest Most Dignified Best Action Shot Enter Your Dog Submit your doggie for a chance to...

    Keep reading

    How Do I Get Dog Food Recall Alerts? Free & Easy Ways

    Finding out that your dog’s food has been recalled is any dog owner’s nightmare. Even worse, the food could be recalled without you hearing about it, meaning you will unknowingly continue to feed your dog food that is possibly contaminated....

    woman buying dog food

    What to Feed a Dog With Cancer: Safe Foods & Homemade Recipe

    The experts chime in on on what to feed a dog with cancer — and what foods to avoid at all costs....
    A man cooking with his dog.

    What Foods Reduce Anxiety in Dogs? 10 Vet-Verified Nutrients & Methods to Help

    It can be quite heartbreaking watching your dog deal with anxiety and stress. Your first call should be to your veterinarian, particularly if the anxiety is severe because food alone is unlikely to solve the issue. That said, diet can...

    jack rusell terrier dog eating kibble from a slow feeding bowl

    7 Best Dog Foods for West Highland White Terriers in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

    The West Highland Terrier is a breed of dog beloved by many. If you’re lucky enough to be a pet parent to one of these pups, you know just how quirky they can be. You also know just how important...

    West Highland White Terrier dog on green grass

    10 Essential Rules for Raw Dog Food: Vet-Verified Nutrition Considerations

    Raw feeding is a controversial subject among dog owners, with some advocating for and some against it. There are clear guidelines from regulating bodies such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the...

    pet bowl with raw food in between dog's paws

    How Much Does a Cup of Dog Food Weigh? Vet-Approved Guide

    Every pet parent wants the best for their pets. This includes feeding your dog the appropriate amount of food each day. While this seems like a simple enough task, it’s trickier than you might think. In fact, a recent study...

    measures a portion of dry dog food using an electronic scale

    Do Foxes Attack and Eat Dogs? How to Avoid Danger in Your Backyard

    Foxes are rather common creatures, found in both rural settings and more populated areas like towns and even major cities. They’re wily creatures and have a reputation for making messes that they often didn’t actually create, though these scavenging predators...

    red fox walking on wet street

    Can Dogs Eat Ants? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

    As curious animals, dogs are bound to eat ants at some point in their life. Those little insects that you need to protect your sugary foods from can be found everywhere. Your dog is likely going to eat ants from...

    Can Dogs Eat_Ants