Tips and methods to clean dog urine

Sharing your home with a dog brings a lot of happy moments... but also a few “accidents”. Puppies that are still being house-trained, older dogs and occasional “accidents” can happen, leaving unpleasant remains on rugs, floors or sofas. In this context, knowing how to clean dog urine properly will not only improve hygiene in your home, but it will also avoid the animal leaving its mark in the same place again, which is a key matter that vets and animal behaviour experts emphasise.

The good news is that with the right products and acting in time, we can get rid of stains and smells without damaging the surfaces. Let's take a look at how!

How to clean dog urine efficiently?

The key to effective cleaning is speed. The sooner we act, the less likely the urine is to penetrate the material or leave a persistent smell.

Before starting, we recommend wearing gloves, since dog urine can contain bacteria and micro-organisms. Wash your hands well afterwards. Absorbing as much urine as possible using kitchen roll, an absorbent cloth or an absorbent sanitary pad is essential. Never dry-scrub it initially, as this will only spread the stain further.

Although there are numerous specific products on the market, specialists also agree that it is just as important to know what not to use as it is to know what to use. Cleaning dog urine with bleach or other ammonia-based cleaning products is not recommended, since urine naturally contains ammonia. The smell of ammonia is attractive for dogs and will likely encourage them to urinate in the same place again.

How to get rid of the smell of dog urine?

Getting rid of the smell is fundamental, not only because it is unpleasant, but also to avoid your pet urinating in the same place again. The most effective cleaning products are enzymatic cleaners, which decompose the proteins in urine and neutralise the smell from the source, instead of just covering it up. The advantage of those cleaners is that they can be used on many different surfaces: floors, walls and fabrics such as rugs, upholstery and cushions. Therefore, they are a good option for general cleaning around the home.

If you do not have an enzymatic cleaner just when you need it, there are some household remedies you can use, always taking care where you apply them.

• Vinegar. Mix one part hot water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply it to the surface and allow it to work for 15-20 minutes before drying it. The vinegar will help to neutralise the smell. 
• Baking powder. This product is useful for cleaning fabric and dry surfaces. Sprinkle some on the area once it is clean and dry. Allow it to work for several hours (preferably overnight) and then vacuum clean it off. It is important to keep your pet away from it, as ingesting it can be dangerous.
• Hydrogen peroxide and neutral soap. Mix some hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of neutral soap and spray it on the surface before rubbing gently with a microfibre cleaning cloth. Then rinse using a damp cloth and allow to dry.

How to clean different surfaces: rugs, floors and furniture

Each surface requires specific cleaning to avoid damage and to guarantee effective cleaning.

Rugs

If you are wondering how to clean dog urine off a rug, the first thing is to soak the liquid up without scrubbing. Then apply some enzymatic cleaner or a mild mixture of vinegar and water. Allow it to work, dry well, and if necessary, sprinkle some baking powder once it has dried to get rid of any smells.

Floors

On ceramic or tiled flooring, it will be enough to clean the urine with a neutral or enzymatic product, using a mop only on that area. On wooden or parquet flooring not soaking the surface is fundamental: use a small amount of cleaning product and dry it immediately afterwards to avoid the liquid damaging the surface.

Sofas and upholstery

On the other hand, if you need to clean dog urine from a sofa, we recommend you proceed as follows: soak up the liquid using absorbent paper, apply some enzymatic cleaner suitable for fabrics and then scrub gently. If the cover can be removed, check the label and wash it following the manufacturer's instructions.

Keeping your house clean when sharing it with dogs is possible with the right information, products and a little patience. You will not only improve the hygiene in your home, but you will also contribute to the wellbeing of all the family - pets included!