Owning a pet comes with a unique set of problems. While owning a dog or cat can be an extremely rewarding experience, it can also be a frustrating one. Many pet owners who are in the early days of housebreaking their pets long for the days when they no longer have to scrub their carpets clean. It is one of the worst chores in the world which is why you need an excellent homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine.

Owning a dog or a cat does not have to mean being embarrassed by the state of your floors. A good homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine and its associated odor should help you to keep your rugs in pristine condition. For everything you need to know to whip up your own highly effective DIY carpet cleaner for pet urine, keep reading.

Homemade Carpet Cleaner for Pet Urine Toolbox

Making your own carpet cleaners does not have to be difficult. Most people have all of the ingredients that they need already in their pantry or refrigerator. Simple ingredients can sometimes pack the most power when it comes to tough stains. Keep a few of these staples on hand.

Distilled White Vinegar

Vinegar is excellent for breaking up ammonia which is common to pet urine stains. As it breaks up the ammonia crystals in the urine, it simultaneously kills the bacteria and eliminates odor at its source. You will want to use distilled white vinegar rather generously when it comes to dabbing up pet urine stains from your carpet or rugs. It can be comparable to some of the enzymatic cleaners that are available in stores.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another tool that is excellent at absorbing moisture from pet stains. While you should try to clean up as much of the stain on your own as possible, sprinkling baking soda on top can be a great way to absorb even more. The sooner you can sprinkle baking soda onto a stain, the less likely it becomes that you will have set-in stains or odors.

Homemade Carpet Cleaner for Pet Urine and Fresh Stains

Scrubbing up urine with homemade cleaner
Homemade Carpet Cleaner For Pet Urine

If you happen to be lucky enough to catch an accident in progress, cleaning it up can be significantly easier. You simply need to get as much of the urine up as possible before it soaks beneath the surface. Getting it up while still wet helps prevent the odor from setting into the fibers of your carpet.

Begin by placing an old towel or several layers of paper towels over the top of the stain. Stand on the towel to absorb the most urine. Alternatively, you can press vigorously into the cloth but avoid rubbing it deeper into the carpet fibers. The goal is to blot up as much of the urine as possible.

From here, you want to make sure that you mix up a homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine stains and odors to prevent smell. You will need:

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Warm water
  • Baking soda
  • Spray bottle

In the spray bottle, mix half distilled white vinegar and half water. Pour in roughly three to four tablespoons of baking soda and shake vigorously. Spritz the solution over the affected area and allow it to soak in for approximately ten minutes. Using a clean cloth, blot up as much of the cleaning solution as you can.

Allow the solution to dry and then vacuum your carpet thoroughly.

For a fresh stain or a mild one, this should be sufficient. However, there are times when this solution may not be enough to eliminate the stain or the odor. If this is the case, then you need to do something more drastic like the suggestion in the next section.

The Baking Soda Method

Use Baking Soda To Clean

Baking soda is a magical ingredient that is great at eliminating odors naturally. For pet urine stains that have set in the carpet or are causing major odors in the home, you might need to aggressively treat them with baking soda instead of just a light spritz. This method is very similar to the one above but it makes better use of this powerful ingredient.

Instead of adding a few tablespoons of baking soda into your spray bottle, sprinkle a generous amount of the powder directly onto the stain. Pour equal parts of distilled white vinegar and warm water over the top of the baking soda, allowing it to foam. Let it sit and soak in for roughly five to ten minutes or until the foaming action stops. You might even want to add a drop or two of clear dishwashing liquid to the solution.

Using a clean white cloth, place it over top of the stain and stand on it to remove as much of the solution as possible. This should be enough to draw out any lingering stains or odors that are in the area.

If you have white carpets, you may be able to use peroxide instead of distilled white vinegar. Make sure to spot-test this method in an inconspicuous location before generously applying it to the stain. This can help to break up the stain, eliminate odor, and even kill the bacteria all at the same time.

Because you may have some baking soda left in your carpet, you should wait for it to dry and then thoroughly vacuum the area. This should make your carpet look and smell as good as new.

Determining Whether a Homemade Carpet Cleaner for Pet Urine Has Worked

How can you tell if your homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine has worked effectively? To the naked eye, the stain appears gone. You may not even be able to smell the urine or feces in the house anymore. However, a dog or cat might continue marking over the top of the area if the stain is not eliminated at the source correctly. It is important to determine whether your cleaner is sufficient.

The best thing to do is to shine a blacklight on the area in question. It will show whether the stain is truly gone or whether the ammonia has recrystallized in your carpet fibers. This is the only true way to determine whether your cleaning is finished.

If you have tried a few rounds of a homemade carpet cleaner for pet stains, then you might need to go a step further. Soaking the area with an enzymatic cleaner for a full 24 hours might be your best bet. In this case, you would need to purchase a store-bought cleaner.

Generously saturate the area with this type of cleaner and allow it to air dry over a full day. Make sure that you mark the area so your family avoids stepping in it while the process takes place. Repeat the treatment once per week as needed until the blacklight shows the area as clean or until your pet stops marking over top of the area.

When Homemade Carpet Cleaner for Pet Urine Doesn’t Work

Sometimes, you will find that a homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine simply does not get the job done satisfactorily. It may leave behind residue or odor that you want to get rid of as soon as possible. Fortunately, many products on the market can do just that. They have special formulas that can deep clean your carpet to eliminate the odor at the source.

If you need a store-bought cleaner to help you combat a tough stain or odor, here are three options that you might want to consider.

1. Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover

Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover

Advertised to be three times stronger than their standard solution, this Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover (on Amazon) concentrated cleaner is tough on stains and odors. It utilizes a pro-bacteria and enzyme formula that can break down odors directly at the source. It is designed specifically to remove dog and cat urine or feces from any water-safe surface of your home including:

  • Carpet
  • Upholstery
  • Bedding
  • Fabric toys
  • Clothing

You will have an easy time using this cleaner because of the convenient three-in-one sprayer. It comes out as either foam, mist, or a stream of cleaner. Saturate the area that needs to be cleaned so that the enzymes can work their magic. This type of formula also helps to prevent repeated markings that can be common among some animals.

Perhaps one of the best things about this cleaner is its price. While it is strong and effective, you aren’t going to break the bank for this heavy-duty cleaner. For just a few dollars, you will be well on your way to a cleaner home.

2. Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator

Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor Eliminator for Home Carpet Stain Remover for Cats and Dog Pee Enzymatic Cat Urine Destroyer - Carpet Cleaner Spray

Do you worry that you can get the stain out of your carpet but not the smell? There is good news on the horizon for you if the smell is your biggest concern. This Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator is a really powerful weapon in your arsenal of cleaning supplies. They can help you eliminate everything from urine to feces to vomit with this professional strength cleaner.

Like most of the wonderful cleaners that can be used in place of a homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine, this one is enzyme-activated. The spray contains enzymatic bacteria that feed on the organic matter left by urine stains until the odor is completely gone.

If you worry about your pets or small children, there is no reason to fear. This cleaner contains no hazardous propellants and leaves no residue behind. It has even earned the Seal of Approval by the Carpet and Rug Institute. It has no chlorine and it is also safe to be used on all colors.

The only downside to this is the cost. While it isn’t enough to break the bank, it is on the more expensive side of things compared to other cleaners.

3. Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Pet Stain and Odor Carpet Shampoo

Nature's Miracle Carpet Shampoo

If you need more than just a simple spot cleaning, it might be time to shampoo your carpets altogether. This is a wonderful way to refresh your home and tackle those set-in stains all at the same time. Whether you choose to rent a carpet shampooer from a big box store or invest in your own, this Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Pet Stain and Odor Carpet Shampoo is a great cleaning agent.

The formula does not create a foamy mess so you can use it in any water-based carpet cleaning machine or steam cleaner. It dives deep into the carpet fibers to extract new and old stains along with their odors. The highly advanced enzymes in this cleaner allow for permanent odor removal.

Perhaps the best part is that it is great for use on your rugs and carpets. It has a color-bright formula that conditions and brightens them as it works.

When it comes to price, Nature’s Miracle wins. It is the lowest-priced option out of the three different cleaners listed here.

Finding the Right Homemade Carpet Cleaner for Pet Urine

Fido might not be the best-behaved dog just yet, but there’s no reason you can’t have clean carpets. Housebreaking your pet can take months so you need an easy and effective solution right away. The right homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine stains can help you to feel less frustrated during the housebreaking process. All you need to do is whip up a batch of one of these cleaners or purchase a bottle of a commercial cleaner and you’ll be good to go.

Remember not to get too frustrated with your pet as they learn the right and wrong places to go to the bathroom. Accidents are a natural part of life, but they don’t have to ruin your floors. With some of these tips in hand, you can keep your house clean and still love your pets at the same time!

You should also check these Bissell SpotBot carpet cleaners.

FAQ

How can I make my own homemade carpet cleaner for pet urine?

Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and warm water with a few tablespoons of baking soda. Spritz this over the affected area and blot it up using a clean white towel.

What natural cleaners can break down the enzymes in pet urine?

Distilled white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can help break down the enzymes that cause odors in pet urine.

How do I get rid of the smell of dog or cat urine from my carpet?

Sprinkle the area with baking soda and pour equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water on top. Allow it to foam for roughly five to ten minutes. Blot it up with a clean towel or a layer of paper towels. Repeat this process as necessary.

Last update on 2024-03-23 at 22:53 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API