Every dog owner knows the struggle of dealing with accidents on the carpet! Imagine you let your fuzzy friend inside for just a minute unattended, and the next thing you know, there’s a wet spot of dog pee soaking into your nice carpet. We’ve all been there as pet owners.
At first, you might not notice it. But soon, that unmistakable ammonia odor hits your nose, and you realize your carpet has become the crime scene.
Now you’ve got dried dog urine ground into your carpet fibers and no clue how to get rid of the stain and the smell. Not to worry! In this handy guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to remove those stubborn dried stains and that awful urine odor using common household products. Let’s get started.
How To Clean Dried Dog Pee Off Carpet
1. Assess The Damage
The first step is to assess how bad the dried pee damage is. Look at the size of the affected area and how far the urine has penetrated into the carpet fibers and padding underneath. A larger, more saturated area will require more work to get out. A UV flashlight can help detect dried urine spots that may not be visible.
Check The Area Thoroughly
Make sure to inspect the surrounding carpet for any spots you may have missed. Dried urine can spread beyond the original wet spot. It’s important to find all affected areas for effective cleaning.
- Get down and really scrutinize to uncover hidden damage.
- Carefully run your fingers across the carpet fibers to feel for stiff, crusty patches which could indicate dried urine that has wicked into the fibers.
- Also, check along the edges and perimeter of the room, behind furniture legs, and under couch and chair cushions.
Dogs love to sneak off and pee in discreet corners.
Determine the Age Of the Stain
Try to determine how old the stain is. Ask yourself when you last noticed your dog in that area or detected a urine odor.
Look for signs of aging, like color changes in the fibers. The longer the urine has been there, the more difficult it will be to remove.
A fresh stain has a better chance of coming out. Old, set-in stains may require replacing that section of carpet.
Smell Test
Do a smell test of the area. Get down and take a big whiff. Pee has a strong ammonia odor. The stronger the smell, the more saturated the carpet is.
But a faint smell means surface drying that’s easier to treat. See if the smell is concentrated in one area or diffused across a larger space. This can provide clues about how far it spread.
2. Prep The Area
Once you’ve assessed the stain, prep the area for cleaning. This pre-treatment will help maximize your cleaning efforts.
Blot With Paper Towels
If the stain is fresh, blot with paper towels to absorb as much liquid as possible.
- Firmly press towels down to soak up the urine rather than rubbing, which can spread the urine deeper into the carpet fibers.
- Keep using fresh towels until no more moisture transfers onto the paper.
Sprinkle With Baking Soda
After blotting, liberally sprinkle baking soda onto the stain.
- Use an entire box if needed to thoroughly coat the affected area. The baking soda will help soak up any leftover moisture and odor.
- Let sit for several hours or overnight if possible. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be.
- The baking soda will continue absorbing urine residues over time.
Use Enzyme Cleaner
Once the baking soda has sat for a few hours, spray a pet-specific enzymatic cleaner onto the stain per label instructions and let sit for 30 minutes.
The enzymes break down the compounds in urine, helping remove the smell.
Make sure to use an enzyme cleaner formulated for pet stains, not just general carpet cleaners which won’t be as effective.
Loosen With Brush
After letting the enzymatic cleaner soak, use a stiff bristle brush to gently work the baking soda into the fibers to help loosen the dried urine trapped in the carpet.
Avoid vigorous scrubbing, which can further set in the stain.
Carefully brush back and forth across the fibers to refresh the baking soda and allow the enzymes to penetrate deeper.
3. Deep Clean With Vinegar
For this next step, you’ll need white vinegar, an empty spray bottle, warm water, towels, and a wet/dry vacuum or carpet shampooer.
Make Vinegar Spray
- Fill a spray bottle with equal parts warm water and white distilled vinegar.
- Shake well to mix. The vinegar helps neutralize odor and acts as a cleaning booster to dissolve residue.
- Diluted vinegar is safe for most carpets, but spot-test an inconspicuous area first since acidic vinegar could potentially fade or bleach some fibers.
Apply Vinegar Mixture
- Liberally spray the vinegar solution onto the stain.
- Completely saturate the area, using up to a quarter bottle per square foot.
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes so the vinegar can fully work on the urine.
Blot And Repeat
- Once it has sat, firmly blot the area with clean, absorbent towels to soak up the moisture.
- Then respray and blot again, repeating 3-4 times until towels come up without yellow urine residue.
- Repeat as needed if you are still pulling up discoloration.
Rinse With Water
When towels come up clean, thoroughly spray with plain warm water to rinse away any remaining vinegar. Blot again with towels to remove the water.
Extract With Vacuum
- Use your wet/dry vacuum or carpet shampooer to extract all moisture out.
- Place the nozzle directly over the stain and move slowly as the vacuum extracts the water and vinegar rinse from the carpet fibers.
- This helps remove any remaining urine deep in the fibers. Thoroughly dry the area.
4. Follow Up With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the secret weapon for getting dried dog pee out of the carpet. Its oxidizing compounds help break down the urine so it can be fully removed.
Create Peroxide Mix
- In a clean spray bottle, mix 2 cups warm water, 1/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 2 teaspoons liquid dish soap.
- The dish soap helps cut through oily residue while the peroxide lifts the stain.
Lightly Mist Area
- Lightly mist the hydrogen peroxide solution onto the stain.
- Don’t saturate, as too much could bleach the carpet.
- Carefully spraying avoids over-wetting.
Let Sit for 10 Minutes
- Allow the peroxide mix to sit for 10-15 minutes.
- This gives the solution time to work on the urine stain and oxygenate the fibers.
- Watch for bubbling, which indicates the peroxide is lifting the urine.
Blot And Rinse
- After sitting, blot the area with clean towels to soak up the solution.
- Follow up by spraying with plain water and blotting to rinse away the peroxide.
Extract And Dry
- Use your vacuum or cleaner to extract all moisture.
- Thoroughly dry the area to prevent mold growth.
- Let the carpet fully air dry before walking on it.
5. Deodorize With Baking Soda
Once the stain is removed, deodorize by sprinkling a fresh layer of baking soda across the area. Use about 1⁄4 cup per square foot to neutralize any lingering odors.
Let sit for an hour before slowly vacuuming up. The baking soda will absorb any remaining smells.
Repeat As Needed
Check the area over the next few days for any faint urine smell. If you detect an odor, repeat the cleaning process until the smell is completely gone.
Dried urine can require multiple treatments to get rid of the smell entirely. But with perseverance, you can get that spot fresh again.
How to Prevent Runny Dog Poop
The best way to keep your carpet pee-free is to prevent future accidents. Here are some tips:
Stick To A Potty Schedule
Take your dog out frequently and at regular intervals to do their business. Give them ample time to empty their bladder fully so they are less likely to have accidents between walks.
Watch For Signals
Learn your dog’s individual potty signals like pacing, whining, circling, sniffing, or squatting. When you see them, immediately escort them outside to their potty spot.
Use A Crate
When you can’t actively supervise your dog, use a crate to confine them from wandering off and having accidents. Crates prevent indoor messes.
Use Potty Attractants
Spray potty attractants like synthetic pheromones outside to encourage your dog to potty in those designated spots. This can help prevent random indoor accidents.
Limit Freedom
Don’t give puppies and untrained dogs free roam of the house. Keep them restricted to rooms with easy-to-clean floors until they are fully housetrained. Tether them to you when possible.
Visit The Vet
Get your dog checked for underlying medical issues like UTIs, diabetes, or incontinence that could be causing frequent accidents. Treating conditions may stop accidents.
When To Call A Professional
If you’ve given it your best DIY effort and the stain and smell still linger, it may be time to call in a professional carpet cleaning company.
Professionals have commercial-grade cleaners, tools, and extractors that can eradicate dried urine that has deep set into the padding and floorboards. They can also treat any lingering odors using specialized antimicrobial agents and ozone treatments. For heavy, long-set stains, it’s often worth the investment to save your carpet and sanity.
Ask About Experience
When calling around, inquire about the company’s experience with pet stains and dried urine. You want someone who is well-versed in Removing these stubborn odors.
Discuss Process
Ask what their cleaning process entails. Many companies use truck-mounted extraction machines and cleaning agents designed specifically to eliminate biological stains.
Compare Cost
Get quotes from 2-3 cleaners and compare costs. Prices can vary greatly, so shop around for the best deal from qualified cleaners.
Replace Severely Damaged Sections
For sections of carpet that are severely saturated with dried urine where the smell persists after professional cleaning, total replacement may be necessary.
Also, the entire pad and carpet in the damaged area likely need replaced if the urine has penetrated down to the floorboards.
To clean this out, cut out the affected portions and install new carpet pieces. Use a sharp utility knife to neatly cut out the stain. Remove both the carpet and foam padding underneath.
However, be sure to seal and prime the subfloor to prevent odors from seeping up through the new carpet. Replacement is the only option when the damage is too extensive.
Bottom Line
While no one wants to deal with pet urine on the carpet, it happens! With the proper products and cleaning techniques, you can get even dried, set-in dog pees out of the carpet.
It just takes patience and persistence. But it’s worth the effort to save your carpeting and get rid of that unpleasant smell. Just be prepared for a bit of work. The stain may not come out right away, but keep at it.
With time, even the most troublesome dried pee stains can be conquered. Just stay positive and keep blotting and spraying until your carpet is fresh again!