How to get rid of pee smell on floor

Difficulty

No experience? No problem.

Time to complete

Up to $25

Save big by DIYing.

TOOLS

  • Small bowl
  • Rags
  • Towels
  • Vacuum
  • Bucket (optional)

SUPPLIES

  • Paper towels
  • Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
  • Dish soap
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar (optional)
  • Commercial pet stain remover (optional)

Dogs truly bless our lives, but they can sometimes bark up the wrong tree and have accidents where we really don’t want them to, like hardwood floors. They’re an especially poor choice, as wood can get stained and absorb odors. 

Even if you don’t spot it quickly enough, figuring out how to remove dog urine and the smell from hardwood floors is pretty straightforward. Plus, you’ve probably got the supplies on hand to clean things up in a jiff.

  1. First things first: Grab your paper towels and soak up the urine ASAP. Cleaning up spills quickly is an important part of maintaining your hardwood floor. The quicker you can get rid of the pet urine, the less time it’ll have to absorb into the wood’s porous surface (and the less time you’ll have to smell it).

  2. Hydrogen peroxide is the best cleaner for dog urine on hardwood floors if you’re looking for a DIY fix. Fill a small bowl with 3% hydrogen peroxideand a squirt of dish soap. Soak your rag in this mixture and gently wipe down the area. 

    Side note: This also works on cat urine and other types of pet urine, too.

  3. After a few minutes of wiping, blot the area with a clean towel until it’s fully dried off. 

    Note: Warping is a common problem with hardwood floors if they’re wet for too long. Be as prompt as possible with this step.

  4. Wondering what neutralizes dog urine odor? Baking soda is an excellent natural odor buster for pet urine, and you probably already have it in your pantry. Once you’ve blotted away any excess wetness, sprinkle baking soda over the area. Leave it overnight to absorb any lingering odors.

  5. The next morning, vacuum up the leftover baking soda. At this point, you can do a sniff test to see if the floor has any remaining pet odor. If not, then you can go play with your dog and forget it ever happened. If there’s still a smell, proceed to the next step.

  6. Dilute ⅓ to ½ cup of white vinegar into a 1-gallon bucket of warm water. Soak a rag in this mixture and gently rub at the spot. Vinegar works great on dog and cat urine odors, but it might damage some wood floors. Always do a spot-check in an inconspicuous area before applying vinegar to your hardwood floors.

    Note: Avoid using vinegar regularly when caring for your hardwood floor. Cleaning the whole floor with vinegar is a “don’t” on our list of do’s and don’ts of hardwood floor maintenance, as this will wear away the finish over time. 

    "This is great advice when cleaning spots on your hardwood floors with an abrasive solution,” says Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. “If the finish wears off, any stain or debris will have direct access to the porous wood flooring."

  7. Wipe down the area once more with a damp rag and pat it dry with a towel. Now it’s time for another sniff test. If there’s no more smell, go take Roverfor a walk to eliminate any lingering stress. If you still smell pet urine and you’re dog-tired of the stench, don’t worry: You’ve got options in the next step.

  8. If you’ve done it all and you’re still left with a stain and stubborn odor, don’t stress, but do be cautious with whatever other cleaners you try. The best way to clean hardwood flooring is knowing the right products to use. 

    Steam cleaners and abrasive products are a no-go, but there are some commercial pet stain removers that are safe for use on hardwood. Make sure you carefully read the label and always do a spot-check beforehand.

  9. For stains and odors that just won't budge, your best bet is to hire a local wood floor repair pro to help you. A pro will be able to assess the damage and find the right solution for your floor.

    If you decide to refinish the entire floor, there are a few things you should know about refinishing hardwood floors, which costs around $1,800 on average, or about $3 to $8 per square foot. It’s a big job that doesn’t make a great DIY project, as there’s a high risk of gouges and scratches—and that’s just from the belt sander, not your dogs. For the best results, find a local wood refinishing contractor to help with the task.

Urine stains and odor are common problems associated with owning pets. Every pet owner has to deal with this situation. It is important to sterilize properly when working on how to get the urine smell out of the carpet and floor. The longer the urine remains on the carpet, the harder it becomes hard to remove the smell. However, there are several ways to get rid of the pee odor from the carpet and floor. Let us look at how to remove pee odor from carpets and floors.

How to get rid of pee smell on floor

Use Enzyme based cleaners

Enzyme cleaners are cleaning products that break down stains with the help of their formulas. They are environmentally friendly and safe for human health compared to other products. Besides, the enzymes ensure that malodors are fully removed by leaving bacteria to work after the application. Some of the recommended enzymatic cleaner’s include: 

Enzyme wizard is powerful in urine odor elimination.  It is also environmentally friendly.  This pee remover is ideal in removing odor and stains seeing that it does not leave a sickly chemical smell after use.

  • Trivona Nature’s Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Its formula can eliminate strong pee from pets such as cats. The cleaner is essential for cleaning hard floors and carpets.

  •  Rocco & Roxie Professional Stain & Odor Eliminator

Rocco and Roxie eliminator is effective in specific stains and odors. It is used in removing urine from rugs and carpets used on all kinds of surfaces.

  • Arm & Hammer Plus Oxi Clean Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

Arm and Hammer instantly neutralize odors while Oxi Clean eliminates the stains. It is essential on upholstery and carpets. Besides, it can be used in oil and grease treatment.  Lastly, it has a spray bottle, thus making it easier to be used on all surfaces.

  • Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator 

 Angry Orange Cleaner is easy and ready to use. This is because it does not need to be mixed with anything before use. The cleaner obliterates the odor and leaves a sweet scent from the citrus fruit. It is also safe to be used on wood floors, carpets, tiles, and car interiors. You spray the affected area with the cleaner and wipe after 15 minutes.

  • The spruce Stain and Odor Remover in Fresh

The pee odor remover has a powerful enzyme formula free from chemicals. Its scent comes from blended neroli, orchid, and apples. Shake the cleaner and spray it on the affected surface.  Leave it to stay for about 15 minutes and wipe out. 

  • Sunny & Honey Pet Stains and Odor Miracle 

Sun and honey cleaner is non-toxic and features biodegradable qualities. It can be applied to all types of stains. Moreover, it has an overpowering mint scent that powers up the pee odor. The cleaner is mostly used on furniture, carpets, and rugs.

How to use enzymatic cleaners

  • Carefully remove any sold material available.
  • Smear more liquid as possible without rubbing it inside.
  • Apply accordingly to saturate the contaminated area. 
  • Keep it for about 30 minutes or two hours for better fouling.
  • Reapply if necessary once it has dried up.
  • The smell will disappear completely.

How to remove pee odor from carpets and floors with common products

Use of Baking Soda

How to get rid of pee smell on floor

Baking soda neutralizes odors naturally. Sprinkle the powder around the wet area on the carpet and nuzzled. Wait for it to absorb completely, then vacuum it to remove the smell completely. 

Keep It Dry

Pee smells remain stronger when dumping and fresh. The carpet should be dried fully after cleaning them up. Let the carpet dry under the sun. Alternatively, you can use a fan or open windows to minimize urine smell by circulating fresh air. 

Wet Vacuuming

Carpets require strong cleaning to get rid of deep and overstayed stains. Hot water may not break the bonds of the stains hence makes it hard to eliminate the smell. Therefore, use cold water and add enzyme cleaner for good results. Allow it to dry completely after cleaning.

Remove Carpeting

When you have a sick pet, it can be hard to obliterate the smell. The best solution is to remove fabrics that might soak urine easily. This will help you to minimize workload. 

Use of Vodka

Vodka acts as a disinfectant. It has ethanol properties that destroy fungus and bacteria. This makes it a better way to eliminate urine odor from carpets.

 Hydrogen-peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide works best for floors and carpets. The product is more oxidizing; therefore, it removes the ammonia smell from the urine.

 Trisodium phosphate

Trisodium phosphate is essential in removing bacteria and pee stains. Scrub the stained area with strong Trisodium phosphate. 

Oxidizing Agents

Oxidizing agents break down urine molecules; hence they are essential for removing urine smell. Although they work best, oxidizing agents can cause damage to some fabrics. Ensure you try the cleaner on an old piece of fabric to be sure. 

Orange-Oil Cleaner

Orange- oil cleaner contains antibacterial properties. These are essential in covering smell. They get rid of stains and odor, leaving the surfaces with a fresh smell.  The cleaner works best when it is combined with oxidizing agents.

Conclusion

Pee odors on carpets and floors can be annoying, especially when you have guests at home. The most effective tip on how to remove pee odor from carpets and floors is by using enzyme-based cleaners. They are effective and friendly to humans as well as pets. You can also use home products such as hydrogen peroxide, vodka, orange- oil cleaner, and baking soda. Lastly, if you have a busy schedule, you can hire an expert. Professional carpet cleaners can detect urine smells and locate old urine stains.