How to get rid of urine odor in carpet

Do you have a pet dog or cat in your house? If so, then you surely know about the small ‘accidents’ that your pet occasionally causes in the home. Yes, we have all experienced a pet dog or cat peeing on a favorite rug. Because the rug fibers will absorb liquids, it is important to remove the urine as soon as possible. Untreated, pet urine stains your rugs; and it leads to a strong, pungent smell. If you can’t fully remove the urine yourself, and if the odor and staining on the rug are extensive, hire a professional rug cleaning service to solve the problem. Companies that perform rug repair often also offer rug cleaning services. There are many DIY remedies to the problem. However, one must act quickly to achieve the best results.

Removing Dog or Pet Urine Stains

It is important to remove the urineas quickly as possible to preserve your rug. Hopefully, you have found the urine while it is still wet. When the urine dries, the uric acid will leave a stain. Also, the further the urine seeps into the layers of the rug the harder it will be to remove it. Additionally, bacterial growth is more likely when urine dries in the rug.

To remove the urine while it is still wet, blot with paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible. You can also use old newspapers to absorb the urine. Press the papers into the rug for better absorption.

Neutralizing Pet Urine Odor

Pet urine can result in challenges beyond stains. It can also leave an undesired odor for quite some time. Removing the urine quickly will reduce the chance of a lingering smell. Here are some tips to help control and neutralize pet urine odors::

  • Soak Up the Urine As Soon As Possible–The first step towards neutralizing pet urine odor is soaking up the urine from the rug while it is still wet. As prescribed above, blot or dab the puddle of urine using paper towels or similar absorbent items. Refrain from rubbing, which can spread urine to other parts of the rug. Exert direct pressure on the paper towels to blot the rug as dry as possible. Dispose of the paper towels immediately to do away with the smell.
  • Vinegar Cleaning Solution–Add one part white vinegar to one part water. Urine smells like ammonia, and this is neutralized with white vinegar. After blotting the area dry, pour the vinegar solution on the affected area, and let the solution soak for 10 minutes to reach the deepest fibers in the rug. Use paper towels to blot and dry the vinegar solution. It may be necessary to elevate the rug to aid drying and prevent moisture damage.
  • Baking Soda–Once dry, sprinkle a very little amount of baking soda on the affected area to absorb the pungent odor. The remaining odor will dissipate after vacuuming the rug.

If you are still struggling with stains or odors in your rug, contact S&S Rug Cleaners at (404) 355-2126 for all your rug repair needs and rug cleaning services.

Odor comes standard with pets. Outdoor cats track mud in from outdoors. Dogs shake themselves dry on your living room rug. Or, even worse, relieve themselves on your plush, high-pile carpet.

Urine is a difficult pet odor to eliminate, especially after it settles into rug and carpet fibers. But with a little bit of elbow grease, common household products, and Fresh Wave’s plant-based Pet Odor Eliminating Spray, you get dried dog pee out of carpets and rugs. Just follow this step-by-step guide.

Steps to Get Dried Dog Pee Out of Carpets & Rugs

  1. Rewet With Vinegar Solution
  2. Absorb the Vinegar
  3. Repeat as Needed
  4. Apply Baking Soda
  5. Vacuum Up Baking Soda and Extra Odors
  6. Follow-Up With Fresh Wave Pet Spray
  7. Bonus Step: Give Your Dog a Thorough Clean With Fresh Wave Dog Shampoo

1. Rewet the Urine Area With Diluted Vinegar

Start by mixing white vinegar with water (undiluted vinegar can damage carpet fibers). Soak a rag in the solution or pour a small amount directly onto the dried urine spot. Allow the solution to sit for 2-5 minutes to ensure it soaks into the fibers. You may even see wetness on the rug’s backing, and that’s ok.

White vinegar’s acidic properties break down alkaline stains like urine, allowing you to soak up and remove (see step 2).

White vinegar will not leave a stain or cause discoloration, especially when diluted with water. You can even test a small, discrete section of the rug to make sure.

2. Soak Up the Vinegar Solution

Once you’ve saturated the area with diluted vinegar, it’s time to soak up as much of the vinegar and urine as you can.

Cover the old patch with a clean, dry rag (one that you don’t mind throwing out). Apply pressure, either with the palms of your hand or by stepping onto the towel. More pressure means more liquid will be soaked up.

3. Repeat as Needed

Vinegar is very effective at neutralizing urine odors, but, in order for it to work on a set-in spot, you may have to repeat steps 1-2.

In extreme cases, allow the solution to sit for up to 24 hours to get pee smell out of a rug. If you don’t want to use white vinegar, opt for a cleanser with enzymes. Soak up your selected cleaner with a clean, dry towel.

4. Apply and Vacuum Up Baking Soda

Baking soda is a powerful, odor-eliminating solution that has many versatile uses like getting rid of odors in boots and deodorizing a gym bag. It will not cause discoloration and is effective against odor in carpet fibers and other porous surfaces around the house.

To use baking soda to get the dog pee smell out of a rug, sprinkle a generous amount onto the area and allow it to sit for several minutes. Vacuum up the baking soda and the odors it absorbed. To prevent vacuum exhaust odors, add some Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Vacuum Beads to the canister or bag.

The secret to baking soda’s effectiveness lies in its crystal-like structure. Volatile molecules bind to its surface and neutralize without leaving an unpleasant residue or causing a smell.

When combined with Fresh Wave odor eliminating products, this duo can effectively fight odors in a variety of applications.

5. Refresh With Odor Eliminators

After you’ve vacuumed up the baking soda, mist the rug with Fresh Wave Odor Removing Pet Spray. This powerful odor remover absorbs and eliminates pet smells with natural plant oils (including zesty orange oil).

You can also light a Fresh Wave Odor Removing Candle or use the original or lavender Fresh Wave Odor Removing Spray to eliminate lingering urine smells released during the cleaning process.

Unlike some air fresheners or scented candles, Fresh Wave’s ingredients are safer for pets and people. They rely on natural plant oils to absorb and neutralize smells instead of masking them with fake perfumes.

Bonus Step: Give Your Dog a Thorough Clean

If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’re all too familiar with that ever-evasive dog smell on couches, rugs, pillows, and comfy chairs. Thankfully, the odor eliminating experts at Fresh Wave have applied their powerful and natural odor removing formula to Odor Removing Dog Shampoo! 

The next time you wash your dog, squeeze a small portion of Fresh Wave Odor Removing Dog Shampoo onto their wet fur, then lather and rinse. Just like Fresh Wave’s room Sprays, Candles, Wax Melts, and Gels, the proprietary formula is made with natural ingredients with no added chemicals and fragrances. That means it’s safer for your dog and gentle on their coat.

Keep Reading:

Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fritos?

What takes strong urine smell out of carpet?

Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle. Label the mixture and keep it on hand for the next time. Spray the pee stain with the vinegar solution until the carpet is very wet.

Is it possible to get old urine smell out of carpet?

Apply and Vacuum Up Baking Soda To use baking soda to get the dog pee smell out of a rug, sprinkle a generous amount onto the area and allow it to sit for several minutes. Vacuum up the baking soda and the odors it absorbed.

How do you neutralize the smell of urine?

Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent.