Part of being a dog owner involves learning to clean up after accidents. All puppies need to learn to be potty trained, and some dogs may even develop incontinence if they get sick or as they grow older.
The best way to get rid of the urine smell on the tile is to clean up the mess as soon as it happens. Quick clean-up reduces the amount of time the urine has to soak into the grout and any porous types of tile.
If you’re wondering how to clean dog urine from tile grout, here are several methods you can try to eliminate urine odors. It’s best to have multiple methods on hand because if one doesn’t work, you have several backup options to help you neutralize odors.
Cleaning Tips
There are a few key things you want to do before you treat urine puddles and stains on tile. First, relocate your dog to a safe location. If you have a particularly stubborn urine stain, you will have to leave some cleaners on top of it to soak for some time. The last thing you want is to have a curious dog get a taste of cleaners or walk all over them.
Also, make sure to use paper towels or rags to soak up as much liquid as possible. Never try to rub or scrub tile grout. This can not only damage grout, but it can also force the urine deeper into surface pores.
How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell on Tile
1. Commercial Enzymatic Cleaner: Our Favorite Method
| Materials: | Cleaner, rags |
| Time: | 5 minutes to 1 hour |
One of the easiest ways to neutralize odors is to use an enzymatic cleaner. Enzymatic cleaners help to break down components of dried-up urine so that rags can absorb them better.
Most enzymatic cleaner treatments involve spraying the affected area and leaving it to soak. Depending on the product you use and how strong the odor is, you can expect to leave the treatment out at any time between 5 minutes to 1 hour. After you’ve left the cleaner to soak for some time, you can use a towel or rag to mop it up. You may have to repeat the process for stubborn stains.
Our favorite product is the Advanced Bio Enzymatic Pet Stain Eliminator Spray by Hepper. There are many benefits of using this enzymatic cleaner, such as that it was created for use on multiple surfaces and works for both dog and cat messes. It is an all-natural product, so you can rest easy knowing you can safely use it around your pets.
- Learn more about this year’s top rated enzyme cleaners here!
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 designs of this cool pet company!
- Efficient
- Usually works on dog and cat urine
- Works on multiple surfaces
- You may have to repeat the process for stubborn stains
2. Commercial Deodorizer
- Our Choice: Oxyfresh All Purpose Dog & Cat Deodorizer
| Materials: | Deodorizer |
| Time: | Not applicable |
You will want to avoid spraying any fragrances because they just mask the smell of urine, and you can often still smell underlying traces of the urine.
If you have cleaned up a urine stain and still smell urine, you can try using a commercial deodorizer specifically for pet odors. Deodorizers do more than mask smells. They’re designed to neutralize urine smells and other unpleasant scents. Some deodorizers are also safe for topical use, so you can also give your dog a quick spritz if it runs into a stinky skunk or rolls in something pungent.
In most cases, using just a deodorizer won’t get rid of urine smells because they are not designed to break down and wipe up urine stains. Therefore, they’re better for supplemental use after you’ve thoroughly cleaned up urine and are left with lingering odors. We like Oxyfresh All Purpose Dog & Cat Deodorizer since it neutralizes odor without leaving a fragrance that may be offensive for your pets sensitive nose.
- Neutralizes odors
- Some are safe for topical use
- Easy to use
- Can’t properly clean urine stains
3. Vinegar and Baking Soda
| Materials: | Vinegar, baking soda, warm water, spray bottle, rags |
| Time: | Up to 24 hours |
Using a vinegar solution and baking soda is a safer and cost-efficient method for getting rid of dog urine smell. Dogs can eat small quantities of baking soda and vinegar, so you don’t have to worry if they accidentally taste a little bit while you’re cleaning.
If you want to use this method, all you have to do is mix one part vinegar and one part warm water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Then, spray the affected area thoroughly until it’s wet with the solution. Let the solution soak for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Then, cover the area with baking soda. Pour slowly and sparingly at first because the baking soda will react to the vinegar and bubble over. Cover the treated area with a dampened towel for a couple of hours to 24 hours. Then, thoroughly wipe up the solution.
- A safe option for curious dogs
- Cost-efficient
- Takes a long time to work
4. Lemon Juice Spray
| Materials: | Lemon juice, water, baking soda, spray bottle |
| Time: | Not applicable |
This natural deodorizing solution contains safe ingredients for dogs, so you don’t have to worry too much if your dog ingests a little bit of it. Dogs also don’t typically enjoy citrus flavors, so once they have a taste of this solution, they probably won’t go for a second try.
All you have to do is mix 2 cups of hot water, ½ cup of lemon juice, and ⅛ cup of baking soda in a spray bottle. Once all the baking soda dissolves, you can spray floors, furniture, and entire rooms with this solution.
Like commercial deodorizers, this solution isn’t meant to lift and remove dog stains. So, it’s better to use after you’ve cleaned up stains and are still able to detect lingering urine smells.
- Safe ingredients
- Removes lingering odors
- Safe for furniture and multiple surfaces
- Doesn’t clean up urine stains
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here’s some additional information on tile floors and grout that is helpful for you to read before wiping up and cleaning urine stains.
Can Dog Pee Ruin Tile Floors?
Yes, if you leave dog urine on tile floors for a long time, it can permanently stain the grout and porous tiles, such as ceramic tiles. Not only are stains unpleasant sights to see, but they also carry odors longer. So, your home will continue to smell like urine.
How Long Does Dog Pee Smell Last?
The smell of dog pee can last for months if you do not properly clean it up. Therefore, if you have a dog that is not potty trained or a dog with incontinence, your house can perpetually smell like urine if you don’t find a proper solution for the issue.
If your dog is frequently urinating, one of the best ways to address it is to go to your veterinarian to diagnose any medical issues and get prescribed a treatment. If your dog’s urinating due to behavioral reasons, you can work with a dog trainer to figure out how to redirect the behavior.
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!
How Do I Keep My House From Smelling Like Dog Pee?
The best way to keep your house from smelling like dog pee is to clean up urine puddles right away with an enzymatic cleaner or neutralizing solution. You can also use deodorizing sprays or candles to remove any remaining traces of the odor.
After treating urine puddles and stains, make sure to figure out the reason for frequent urination. No amount of cleaning products will keep urine smells out of the house if your dog continues to pee inside.
If you are ever feeling frustrated or perplexed, you can always consult with a veterinarian or dog behaviorist to tackle this challenge with you.
- 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...
Final Thoughts
Potty training dogs is an uphill battle that most dog owners experience. It takes time and patience, and even the most watchful dog owners can still find urine puddles in the home.
Fortunately, enzyme cleaners and natural solutions can help get rid of the smell of dog urine. However, the best way to keep your house odor-free is to diagnose the cause of frequent urination or develop a consistent potty-training schedule.
See also:
Featured Photo Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
