In the UK, pet owners spend 4 times longer cleaning each week than non-pet households. As this often happens due to issues like urine odours, many pet owners search, “how to get rid of dog pee smell.”
Most dogs pee around 3 to 5 times a day, typically spaced out over six-hour intervals. But if accidents happen inside, that urine can quickly soak into carpets and wood floors.
The key is acting fast and using the right methods. So, we will cover everything from finding hidden stains to the best cleaning methods to restore a fresh-smelling home.
Tools to Get Rid of Dog Pee Smell (Quick Checklist)
Equip yourself before tackling the mess. Go through this checklist to know the tools and materials you need while learning how to get rid of dog smell in the house.
- Paper Towels / Absorbent Cloth: Does best to blot fresh urine.
- Enzymatic Cleaner: Works to break down proteins in pee for smell removal.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda: A mixture of these materials helps kill odour.
- UV / Blacklight: Make dried pee glow in the dark to reveal hidden spots.
- Spray Bottle: Fill with cleaning solution for even application.
- Wet Vac / Carpet Machine: Extract liquid and cleaning solution from carpets.
- Drying Aid: Use towels, paper towels, or a fan to draw out moisture.
- Stain and Odour Remover: Get rid of the pee smell after cleaning.
How to Find Hidden Dog Pee Stains?
Old or sporadic accidents can stink even when you think you’ve cleaned everything. The following tips will help ensure you locate every offending stain before exploring how to remove the smell of dog pee.
● Use a UV / Blacklight
In total darkness, shine the UV light, such as those from UV Gear, over the floors and carpets. Urine (and some other organic spills) will glow yellow-green under UV.
● Inspect Common Spots
Check under sofas, beds, along baseboards, and behind doors. Look for darkened wood or faded carpet patches. Also, examine walls or skirting boards, as male dogs can splatter.
● Smell and Touch
Sniff along carpets and rugs, and consider any strong odour a stain. Feel around for sticky or cool areas.
● DIY Indicators
Sprinkle baking soda on damp areas, and if it lumps, you’ve found urine. Alternatively, some owners spray a little diluted dish soap and then enzyme cleaner on suspicious spots to make hidden odours bubble up.
Dog Pee Removal Methods for Different Settings
When you’ve located a stain, treat it according to the floor or fabric. The following are some methods you can apply to learn how to get rid of dog pee smell on different surfaces.
1. Hard Floors (Wood, Tile, Laminate, Vinyl)
Wondering how to remove dog urine smell from floor? For solid floors, including laminate and tiles, you have to act fast. Blot up liquid immediately with towels and mop with a very mild mixture of warm water and white vinegar.
Be careful not to flood wood, as you need to keep it very damp, not soaked. Enzymatic cleaners like Ecozone can also be used, but test on a spot first. Once cleaned, dry thoroughly using an old towel or fan.
Additional Tips
- The eufy S1 Pro Omni robot with HydroJet mopping can keep hard floors fresh with minimal effort. However, do not send it on a fresh puddle, and use this vacuum after blotting.
- For really set-in stains, you will need to use the mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This will help you eliminate stains as well as odours.
2. Carpet (Wall-to-Wall)
To eliminate dog urine smell from carpet or rugs, you need to blot up as much liquid as possible. To do so, you may need to step on towels to absorb moisture. Then, saturate the spot with a hot white vinegar solution having equal parts vinegar and water.
Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then extract the liquid with a wet vacuum. Rinse by blotting with plain water, then blot dry again. For best results, repeat the vinegar soak and scrubbing after it dries.
If the smell is strong, apply an enzymatic cleaner and let it work before blotting dry.
Additional Tips
- For long-standing urine stains, use a hydrogen peroxide-based enzymatic cleaner. Let it sit and scrub lightly before extracting.
- A powerful vacuum like the eufy E28 excels on carpets with its 20000 Pa suction. Moreover, its portable spot cleaner lets you target tough rug spots on the fly.
- Always do a spot test on rugs before applying any cleaner to avoid colour damage. Use the blot-clean-blot method for effective results.
3. Upholstery and Dog Beds
Soft fabrics, such as sofas, pillows, and dog beds, require gentle care. First, blot carefully from the outside of the stain inward. Then, apply a pet-safe cleaner using an enzyme spray or a vinegar solution.
After letting it soak through the fabric, blot up the residue. Once dry, sprinkle baking soda, wait an hour or more, and vacuum to lift any lingering odour. To better get rid of dog pee smell, launder covers or beds on a hot cycle with an extra rinse.
Additional Tips
- For delicate upholstery like a couch, consider a solution of 3 tbsp baking soda with dish soap and about 300 mL hydrogen peroxide.
- The eufy E28’s portable spot-clean tool is handy here. It sprays cleaner and vacuums in one step on couches or cushions to help you get rid of odour.
4. Outdoor Areas (Yard / Lawn / Outdoor Spots)
Urine outside is easier to handle, as you just have to rinse promptly. For concrete or stone, simply hose the area to remove the dog pee smell. If odour lingers, scrub with a brush using water and white vinegar.
Some owners mix a little dish detergent and hydrogen peroxide into a spray to clean urine on hard outdoor surfaces. You can even use water sparingly to flush away the urine or consider an outdoor enzyme spray.
Additional Tip
- In all cases, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, as these can damage surfaces and vegetation.
Professional Dog Pee Cleaning Services
If urine odors are widespread, calling the pros can save time and headaches. Many UK cleaning companies offer pet odour removal services. They use industrial-grade steam extractors and antimicrobial agents that reach deep into padding and fabric.
This is especially useful for set-in stains or when you try to get rid of dog urine smell but fail. Search for local carpet cleaning pet odour services to thoroughly sanitise your home.
However, these pros will cost you around £10 per square meter. So, we recommend going for any extra help when all the tips fail to remove dog pee odour.
Bonus: Using eufy Robot Vacuums for Dog Pee Maintenance
While robots couldn’t be your first choice to mop up fresh pee, they excel at daily maintenance to prevent odours from building up and reduce the time you spend on house cleaning.
Frequent vacuuming removes pet hair and residual dust, which act as major contributors to musty smells. In fact, vacuuming at least twice a week is recommended to drastically reduce pet odours. Use any of the following eufy robo-vacs to get rid of any kind of dog pee smell.
1. eufy Robot Vacuum E28
The eufy E28 features an impressive 20,000 Pa suction power and an all-in-one station, so you can keep your home spotless without lifting a finger—or disturbing your pet’s toys on the floor. What sets it apart is its unique portable deep cleaner, which tackles stubborn stains on carpets and sofas with ease, going beyond just floor cleaning.
2. eufy S1 Pro Omni
This powerful vacuum and mop combo effortlessly tackles pet hair, dirt, and messes, leaving your floors spotless without any residue. Its omni station takes cleaning to the next level with a built-in ozone generator that eliminates up to 99.99% of bacteria and neutralises odours for a fresher, healthier home.
Alternative Dog Pee Deodorising Methods
If you’re looking for extra hacks beyond the essentials, here are some tried-and-true tricks:
- DIY Odour Spray: Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 cup water and 10 drops of pet-safe essential oil. After cleaning, mist the room, as it neutralises odours and adds a fresh scent.
- Odour Absorbers: Place bowls of white vinegar or charcoal around your home, but away from pets. They passively absorb ammonia smells. Also, open windows or use fans and ventilation to air out rooms.
- Avoid Masking Scents: Steer clear of ammonia-based cleaners, as they smell similar to urine. Air fresheners and candles only hide odours. Use them sparingly for fragrance, as they won’t fix the source.
Preventative and Training Tips for Dogs
The best way to get rid of pee smell is prevention. For this, you have to establish a solid routine. Try to take your dog out often, especially after meals or naps, and praise them when they pee outside.
Supervise indoors and confine pets to easy-to-clean areas if unsupervised. If your dog does have an accident, clean it thoroughly right away so they don’t return to the same spot. For male dogs that mark indoors, a belly band can help prevent messes.
Crate training, puppy pads, or an indoor pee tent can also guide young and small dogs where to go. With patience, consistent training, and a clean environment, you’ll minimise the risk of repeat incidents.
Conclusion
In summary, eliminating dog urine smell takes quick action and the right approach. For fresh accidents, blot up liquid immediately, then clean with a suitable solution. When learning how to get rid of dog pee smell, Hunt down hidden stains using a UV light and treat each surface appropriately.
Ongoing maintenance is also crucial for a house with dogs, so vacuum regularly with eufy E28 or S1 Pro to stop odour from building up and keep your house clean.
If stubborn odours remain, professional cleaners can extract embedded urine. By combining these strategies, UK dog owners can say goodbye to stubborn pee smells and enjoy a clean home.
FAQs
How can I make my house not smell like dog urine?
Act fast by blotting any wet urine with towels and applying an enzymatic pet cleaner or a vinegar solution. Make sure you’ve found all hidden spots and treated them. Use baking soda on carpets overnight to absorb residual odours.
Does pet urine smell ever go away?
If the urine is completely removed, the smell will eventually be gone. Enzymatic cleaners break down the urine molecules, neutralising the odour. However, if urine is soaked deep into wood or carpet padding, the smell can persist.
What scent will stop dogs from peeing in the house?
Dogs tend to avoid strong citrus or vinegar smells. Spraying a vinegar-water solution or sprinkling citrus oil in old accident spots can deter many dogs.
Are there effective home remedies for dog urine odour?
Yes, common remedies include spraying the area with a mixture of white vinegar and a drop of dish soap. After that, sprinkle baking soda on the damp spot and leave it overnight. Some also mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning paste.
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