It’s not fair to expect perfection from your dog, especially when they are still young or getting old. Even housetrained dogs that haven’t peed in the house in years might still have an accident at some point in their life, and every pet owner has to deal with dog urine from time to time. While there are many reasons why this accident could have happened, it’s best not to dwell on it while the pee soaks into your belongings. Take action right away if you want the best chance of removing the lingering smell of dog urine.
In this article, you’ll be given some of the most effective ways to eliminate and neutralize dog urine odors.
How To Neutralize Dog Urine Odors (8 Ways)
1. Soak Up the Urine
The faster you move, the better chance you have to eliminate the smell of dog urine. When your pet has an accident, grab some paper towels right away and get to work. Blot at the puddle and keep grabbing fresh sheets of paper towels until you have all of the moisture removed from the area. If they peed on something machine-washable, put it in the washer right away. If the surface is harder, clean the area with an all-purpose cleaner. Try not to rub the urine with towels because it could just push the urine deeper into the contaminated object.
2. Enzymatic Cleaners
One of the easiest and most efficient strategies for getting rid of old, lingering urine smells is to use an enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners are designed to break down the molecules that make pet urine stink. There are many options available, so make sure you do your research and find one that works best for the household surface that you’re working on.
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3. The Power of Baking Soda
Baking soda is famous for its odor-eliminating properties and is used for all sorts of messes around the house. You can sprinkle the powder liberally over an area and let it sit to absorb the smell, or you can create a DIY cleaning solution with baking soda and water. Either way, allow it to sit for at least a few hours for the best results.
4. Dry the Area
Dog urine is going to smell a lot stronger if it never has a chance to dry. This is more common when your dog has peed on soft fabrics. Whenever you wash your laundry, make sure that the fabrics are completely dry before folding them and putting them away.
5. Use a Wet Vac
Older stains have had more time to set and are much harder to remove. When it comes to flooring and furniture, one of the best tools for removing these deep stains is a wet vacuum. You can even add enzymatic cleaners to the vacuum to break down the compounds even further.
6. Clean All House Surfaces
A lot of dog owners assume that the floors are the only things that need to be cleaned and forget about the rest of the house. Don’t overlook furniture, drapes, walls, and bedding, all of which could be contributing to the problem.
7. Hire a Professional
Professional cleaners have access to stronger equipment and chemicals that the average person can’t get their hands on. Not only that, but they usually have a few tricks up their sleeves that you might not know about!
8. Consider the Pet’s Diet and Health
A rare accident isn’t usually anything to worry about, but if your dog is peeing inside the house on a regular basis, then it’s time to consider your pet’s health. Even small things like a change in their diet can stress out an animal. You should take your pup to your vet and speak to them about the changes in their behavior.
Final Thoughts on Neutralizing Dog Urine Odors
There are several efficient methods for neutralizing dog urine odors in the house. Of course, some may work better than others, but you have plenty of options before ripping all of the carpeting out of the house.
Try to start with one solution, and then slowly work your way through the list until you find one that works for you and your situation. While dog urine can linger, it shouldn’t stick around if you take the correct steps toward thoroughly cleaning the area.
Featured Image Credit: Brian A Jackson, Shutterstock
