Professional Tips for Removing Pet Urine Stains with Vinegar

Cleaning up after a pet accident in the house can be tough, I know. I have two cats and when they were babies, they had a few accidents.

In order to get successful results when cleaning pet stains, you need to know how to get rid of these stains as they can discolor carpets, cause unhealthy living conditions and if not done correctly, it can cause your pet to have accidents over and over again.

Below are the basics of removing pet urine stains using white vinegar – a staple many of us already have on the pantry shelf – how handy is that?

The Basics of Cleaning Pet Urine

The amount of time pet urine and its components has to sit depends on how well you can successfully remove the stain and odor. Therefore, if possible, removing the urine stain as soon as it is detected will have the best results. Blot at stains. Do not scrub as this action will increase the area of the stain.

Work Quickly

As mentioned above – if your pet has an accident and you are right there – work quickly. Grab absorbent terry clothes or paper towels and blot the stain. Absorb as much of the liquid as you can by applying pressure to the area and changing absorbent material as needed. Keep this up until you cannot get up more liquid and the stain is gone.

Use a Bio-Enzyme Product

If you happen to be an ol’ pro at this and already have a bio-enzymatic product on hand use as instructed. These work well because they actually break down the bacteria that are found in urine that causes odor. These also need to remain moist for a period of time so place a piece of plastic wrap over it then a towel.

Use White Vinegar

If you don’t have a bio-enzyme product on hand, most of us have white vinegar in the pantry. It’s a staple in our house. Vinegar will help neutralize the smell and it’s also a natural deodorizer. Mix together 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water. Pour this solution over the urine stain. Let sit about five minutes then blot up as much liquid as you can.

Let Dry

Once you’ve cleaned the area, you need to let it dry completely. This can take several hours. Cover with a clean towel to keep any foot traffic off the area.

Absorbing Any Remaining Odors

Once cleaned the stain and odor should be gone but, if any smell lingers you can simply apply baking soda to the area while it is still slightly wet. Baking soda is another natural deodorizer. Pour baking soda over the area. Gently work in just a bit. Cover and let sit for several hours. Vacuum well to remove all traces of the baking soda.