Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell

You love your dog, but inevitably they may have an accident in the house every now and again. Dried urine has a strong ammonia smell that can be difficult to get rid of. By treating fresh urine promptly, removing old odors and preventing accidents in the first place, you can eliminate dog odors and make your home smell fresh again.

Steps

Treating Fresh Urine

1. Blot the urine right away. If you see your dog pee in the house or find a wet urine stain, blot the spot with a clean towel immediately. This will soak up as much urine as possible, diminishing the possibility of the pee soaking into your rug or upholstery.
2. Use water and a few drops of soap to dilute the damp spot. Get a bowl of warm water, and put a few drops of mild soap in it. Use a clean towel to wipe the wet spot with the soapy water, blotting with a dry towel. You can do this a few times until no traces of the original dog stain remain.
3. Sprinkle the spot with baking soda. Sprinkle the damp spot with a few tablespoons of baking soda, which is a natural deodorizer. Spread the soda evenly. Be careful not to use more than ¼ cup (120 grams), as excessive amounts can be more difficult to clean up. Let your baking soda sit on the peed spot overnight.
4. Vacuum the baking soda up. If your dog peed the carpet, use a full-size vacuum to clean up the baking soda the next morning. Go over the area as many times as necessary to suck up all the powder, so the area is clean to the touch. If your dog peed a mattress or another upholstered surface, use a handheld vacuum to clean up the baking soda.

Removing Odors from Carpet and Fabric

1. Use water to dilute the urine-stained area. If your dog’s urine stain has set for a long time and the smell is strong, you will first need to dilute the stain. Get a bowl of warm water, and use a two clean towels towel to alternately dampen and blot dry the stained spot. Do this several times to dilute the stain, and smell, as much as possible.
   • You may want to wear rubber gloves for this.
   • Your towels may start to take on some of the odor. However unpleasant, this is what you want, as it indicates you are drawing the smell out of the soiled area. Swap out your towels and continue diluting the stain as much as possible.
2. Use an enzyme-neutralizing cleaner. Once you have diluted the odor as much as possible, use an enzyme neutralizer, such as Nature’s Miracle or Angry Orange. These cleaners break down protein-based molecules in urine that can cause bad odors. After doing a test for colorfastness on a hidden area of your carpet or upholstery, spray the area thoroughly with the cleaner and let stand for 5-10 minutes. Blot dry with a clean towel.
3. Launder or replace any items that retain smell. If an odor remains after using the enzyme neutralizer, remove slipcovers from any soiled items and launder with cool water. Air dry to avoid shrinkage in the dryer..
   • If your dog has peed a carpet, consider replacing the rug pad beneath. These can contain synthetic materials that are more difficult to purge bad odors from.

Removing Odors from Hardwood Floors

1. Use a 1-1 water and white vinegar solution. Removing odors that are set in hardwood is difficult, but luckily, wood is more tolerant of stronger cleaning agents. Mix a solution that is 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Rub the solution into the urine stain vigorously with a soft sponge. Let it cure for 5-10 minutes. Then, wipe up the solution with a clean, dry towel.
   • You can sprinkle the spot with a few tablespoons of baking soda too for some additional cleaning power after using the vinegar solution. Vacuum the soda up after it sits for a few hours or overnight.
2. Try a hydrogen peroxide mask. Soak a clean facecloth or hand towel in 3% hydrogen peroxide until it is saturated but not dripping. Wring the towel if necessary, and place the towel over the urine-stained area. Let the towel sit for 2-3 hours to deodorize the offending spot.
   • If the floor is still damp when you remove the hydrogen peroxide towel, wipe the area dry with a clean cloth.
3. Sand the wood down and refinish. If the smell of the stain is not dissipating, you have the option of sanding down your wood floor. This is not to be undertaken lightly because it is expensive and time consuming, but it may be the best option to remove very deep odors. Sanding removes the top layer of wood and will effectively polish out your odors by buffing away the surface layer they live in. Contact a professional contractor for a quote to perform this work without damaging your floor.
   • Sanding is simpler to do with unfinished wood (a deck, for example) but can be accomplished with finished hardwood inside. A professional can help you match your existing finish properly.

Preventing Urine Smells

1. Walk your dog more frequently. If your dog is not getting walked frequently enough, they may feel the need to relieve themselves in the house. Ensure you are taking your dog out to pee at least four times a day, but more frequently if your dog is very old, young or infirm. If need be, hire a dog walker to come by your home so you can meet your dog’s needs.
2. Get a dog trainer to work on your pup’s potty training. Some dogs, whether due to a lack of training as puppies or past abuse, never get properly trained to use the bathroom outside. If you suspect this may be the case of your dog, particularly if your dog has an unknown history, call a dog trainer. Many trainers do in-home sessions that can address your dog’s specific problem behaviors.
   • Trainers can also diagnose whether your dog’s urination in the house may be due to an underlying behavioral issue such as separation anxiety.
3. Get your dog checked at the vet for any underlying health problems. If your dog’s urination problems persist despite walking your dog frequently and employing a trainer, you may want to take them to the vet. Some health problems, such as neutering complications or urinary tract infections, can cause your dog to pee more frequently, including inside the house.
   • Make a note of where your dog goes in the house, how often, and when your issues started so you can relate them to your veterinarian.
4. Use repellent products as necessary. Certain repellent products, such as Four Paws Keep Off! and Nature’s Miracle Pet Block Repellent, can discourage your dog from urinating in the house. Test your materials for colorfastness, and then spray the repellant thoroughly on the area your dog urinates.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Enzyme-neutralizing cleaner
• Baking soda
• Towels
• Vacuum
• Soap

Sources and Citations

See also

• Freshen the Air in Your House While Vacuuming
• Use Mothballs
• Remove Musty Odors
• Remove the Smell of Burnt Food from Your Home
• Get Your House to Not Smell Like Your Pets
• Remove Pet Hair
• Get Dog Urine Smell out of Carpets
• Clean Up Dog Waste from a Backyard
• Remove Urine Odors and Stains Permanently
• Deodorize a Room

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