Removing Pet Urine Stains and Odors

In most cases, when your dog or cat has had an accident in the house, you can easily clean up with supplies you already have in the house.

Cat urine is especially offensive and very hard to get rid of especially when the sneaky little buggers always find an out of the way upstairs corner to do their business in. You will certainly smell it before you find it!

Dogs are not so devious. If they’re going to wet in the house, it’ll be where you see it or step in it. In fact, if it’s a male dog, he’s liable to lift his leg on the furniture right in front of you.

Cleaning Pet Urine from Carpet and Furniture

As with any stain, removing a pet urine stain is easiest when it’s fresh. Get yourself some clean absorbent material such as paper towels or an old clean rag.

Blot up as much as you can using new absorbent as needed until no liquid comes up. Do not rub at the stain as this can increase the area of the stain and damage fibers.

If you can remove furniture covers do so and blot cover, cushion and padding of all liquid. You can also rinse the cover under running water then blot. Don’t put in dryer as it could shrink the cover.

Mix together a solution of 50/50 warm water and white vinegar. You can keep the mixture in a bowl and/or put it in a spray bottle.

Wet a clean rag, or spray the area, not overly saturated but enough to get it clean, and blot the cleaning solution over the stain. You can also use a toothbrush (gently) to work the cleaner in.

For upholstered furniture where you cannot remove the covers, keep in mind you do not want to overwet as it can be difficult to fully remove all liquids from padding which could lead to mold and mildew.

Rinse rag and repeat with the solution two or three times. Again, blot up as much liquid as you can, cover until dry.

Removing Odors That Can Linger

After cleaning the carpet or furniture, you can still be left with an odor. To help remove the odor, dump baking soda over the area. Carefully work it in using your fingers. Cover and let dry (most of the day or all night), vacuum when done.

Cleaning Pet Urine from Clothing and Linens

It’s happened a time or two to us when leaving laundry on the floor. Thank goodness they were already dirty and needed washing.

Launder as you normally would using a detergent like Arm & Hammer with Oxiclean or Tide Miracle Wash and a laundry booster such as Nature’s Miracle.

One cup of white vinegar added with detergent can also help remove odors from laundry.

If the urine stain happens to be older, you can add two cups white vinegar to one gallon cool water in a large mixing bowl and let soak overnight before washing.