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How to Clean Dog Pee From Carpet in 5 Steps

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Mar 4, 2022 • 2 min read

Dog and cat urine can create permanent stains and odors on carpets, upholstery, and hardwood floors. Learn how to clean dog pee from carpet without hiring a cleaning service or professional carpet cleaner with these DIY tips.

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3 Cleaning Products to Help You Get Dog Pee Out of Carpets

Working with effective, pet-safe cleaning solutions will help you treat the soiled area. There are several products you can use to get dog pee out of carpets, including:

  1. 1. Carpet cleaners: Look for a carpet cleaning solution featuring odor eliminators and stain removers. Dab the cleaning solution on the pee stain to treat and reduce the urine smell on carpet fibers and upholstery. Do not use steam cleaners: The heat produced by steam cleaners makes the pee stain permanent and bonds the urine proteins into your carpet fibers.
  2. 2. Enzymatic cleaners: Tackle stubborn pee stains and dog urine smell with enzymatic cleaners. These products break down the bacteria in dog pee with enzymes to leave your carpet odor-free.
  3. 3. Everyday pantry items: You may have many of the most effective products for getting dog pee out of carpets in your home. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and white vinegar naturally eliminate urine spots and urine odor. However, do not use undiluted vinegar on pet urine—it damages carpet fibers, so dilute it with water. Also, skip bleach: It can stain carpets and is dangerous to treat dog pee. Pet urine contains ammonia, which creates toxic fumes when mixed with bleach.

How to Clean Dog Pee From Carpets in 5 Steps

Here are cleaning tips and a step-by-step guide to help you remove pet urine stains and odors:

  1. 1. Treat dried urine with baking soda. Apply a thin layer of baking soda (approximately a quarter of a cup) to the carpet stain for set-in dog pee smell and stains, then vacuum to remove the baking soda before treating the affected area with liquids.
  2. 2. Absorb fresh urine. Use paper towels to clean up fresh urine stains and cover the towels with newspaper. Rinse the stained area with cool water and blot dry.
  3. 3. Use a solution to remove the odor. Get your cleaning product or make a simple solution by diluting white vinegar with water. Add baking soda to the vinegar solution for greater odor-fighting strength, or try hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Spray the soiled area with a spray bottle.
  4. 4. Let your solution soak. Allow your solution to sit for a few minutes to absorb and treat the stained area.
  5. 5. Clean up the solution with a dry towel or wet vac. After a few minutes, use a clean towel or wet vac to remove the liquid. Repeat this process as needed to remove any lingering smells or stains.

Tips to Prevent Your Dog from Peeing on Carpets

Here are some tips for pet owners trying to train their dogs to avoid peeing on carpets:

  • Be consistent. Potty training for pets requires regular attention. With time and positive reinforcement, dogs learn good behavior.
  • Remove odors. Pet odors attract dogs and suggest that it’s okay to pee there again. Clean any pet urine stains or smells to break the cycle.
  • Consult a vet. Talk to your vet if your pet continues to make messes despite regular training. Ask your vet if any medical issues might be the source of your dog’s peeing problems.

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