​Tips to Clean Up Pet Urine on Your Carpet
 
Did your beloved dog or cat just pee on your carpet? 
 
Aha, that precious pet is no longer on the beloved list at the moment, right?  We know.  We have all been there.  At least those of us with pets in the home.
 
Now what?
 
Don’t worry too much.  It can be cleaned.  Actually it is important to clean and eliminate the smell to prevent further accidents from reoccurring.  If not property cleaned and sanitized, your pet may smell the spot and think, “okay, this is the toilet place….”  And none of us want that to happen—just remember this while working through the steps below. 
 
Here is the best carpet first aid you can apply immediately (Oh, by the way, when you bring the pet into your home it is wise to try this spot removal technique on a hidden spot of each of your carpets.  If it damages your carpets, then don’t use it on the visible spots—just call in the professionals.): 

1. Soak it up!  If you discover the spot while it is fresh, or even watch it happen from across the room, don’t delay.  If it is an old, dried spot then skip to step number two.  Put on some rubber gloves and soak up the urine using paper towels or a cotton cloth.  Dab it up.  Press hard to get as much as possible.  If you are the patient type, you can even place these soaked materials in a place where you would like your pet to pee in the future (a positive way to let them know where the appropriate toilet action should happen by transferring the smell to the right place).
2. Prepare to neutralize!  Mix up a bowl of first aid carpet pee neutralizer.  You will want enough to reach deep down into the carpet fibers.  The recipe is 50% white vinegar and 50% water.
3. Scrub a dub dub!  Pour the carpet pee neutralizer mixture onto the urine stain.  Use a scrub brush and work all of it deeply into the carpet, scrubbing vigorously.  The vinegar should help neutralize the ammonia in the urine (that’s a good thing).
4. Soak it up!  Blot the area with paper towels, pressing firmly until no more moisture comes up.  Those of you who have a shop vac can then suck up any remaining moisture from the area.  Just remember not to do this with the household vacuum—need we say more?  And don’t forget to disinfect your shop vac afterwards…  Let this area dry thoroughly.
5. Sprinkle, sprinkle!  Once the are is dry (all the way through), it is time to cover the entire area with fresh baking soda.  Cover it liberally. 
6. Final scrub!  Now mix one-half cup of three percent hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and apply to the stain.  Using a spray bottle is the best way to do this.  You can use your scrubbing brush again to thoroughly work this solution and the baking soda into the spot.
7. Suck it up! Once dry, vacuum the area several times to wrap up your first aid treatment.  Yes, you can use the home vacuum for this step.

 
If you wait too long, bacteria will start to grow and it is the stinky kind you know so well. 
If your pet is suddenly urinating or eliminating in inappropriate areas, it may be a sign of illness or disease, and a visit to the vet might be appropriate.  If you have this problem with a puppy or kitten, well, you asked for it when you brought home an animal not yet house broken. 
 
Uric acid in the urine is not water soluble and requires enzymes to break down its chemical bonds.  Using water and vinegar is good first aid, but they do not break down the uric acid.  In time, the smell of urine may surface again.  Your pet will be able to smell it and again associate the spot as an appropriate place to urinate.  If this happens, it is time to use an enzymatic cleaner on the spot, or call the professionals. 
 
Love Cleaning uses truck-mounted cleaning systems and professional grade supplies to clean, sanitize and remove stains and pet odors.  Contact Love Cleaning today at (801) 936-0586 to learn more about removing pet urine stains from your carpet or upholstery.  

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