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How to get dog urine smell out of your carpet
When neutralizing pet odors in your carpet, be sure the cleaner penetrates through each layer. (Photo courtesy of Russell Hiner)
Dog lovers well know the great benefits that a pet brings into their lives. But, as all pet owners know, accidents happen from time to time. Some of our furry friends have an occasional accident, whereas others urinate on the carpet more frequently, especially older pets. These smells have a strong ammonia odor that can make the entire home smell. However, try these proven methods for cleaning up urine stains and salvaging the carpet.
Act promptly
Your first priority is to clean up any urine that is still wet. If the urine dries, it not only stains the carpet, but it increases bacteria growth. As the best way to absorb dog urine, place a layer of several paper towels over the wet area of the carpet. Walk on the paper towels so that they absorb as much of the urine as possible. Removing the wet urine will reduce the bad smell.
Neutralize the odor
Next, create a cleaning solution consisting of one part white vinegar to one part water. Vinegar neutralizes the ammonia smell of urine without fading carpet fibers, making it a good choice for cleaning and protecting your carpet. Slowly pour the solution on the stained area of the carpet. You want the solution to reach the lower fibers in the carpet to completely neutralize the area. After 10 minutes of allowing the solution to soak through, use a layer of paper towels again to soak up the liquid.
Then, let the carpet dry, which can take several hours. Once the carpet is almost dry, sprinkle a little baking soda on the area. Baking soda is a proven odor absorber. Allow the baking soda settle into the carpet fibers for about 15 minutes and then vacuum the area. The dog urine odor should now be gone.
Use commercial pet stain removers
The market is full of commercial pet stain removers, deodorizers and air fresheners. You might turn to these products if using vinegar and baking soda stills leaves a lingering urine smell in your home. Some products work better than others depending on the type of carpet you have, such as natural versus synthetic fibers. Read the label on these products before making a purchase.
If the carpet odors are longstanding and they accompany urine stains that you can't completely remove, it's time to contact a professional carpet cleaner. These experts have a wide range of machines and solvents at their disposal to clean your carpet, to remove odors and to make it look good as new.
Carpet Cleaning Excellence is the leading expert in Southeastern Michigan for pet urine, stain and odor removal 888-688-0603. We offer a 100% money back guarantee.