Most people who have a pet or a toddler at home will agree that it is one of the most beautiful moments of their lives, but it comes with a lot of burdens. One such responsibility is cleaning up after them especially before or even during the process of potty training. Staining of urine is expected at this stage. Hence, get to know how to get the smell of pee out of carpet so that you do not wake up to such stench in your home.
Pee, especially old ones, has a distinct smell, so if your pet or toddler urinates on your carpet, you must act faster. It is made up of uric acid and urea, which, when it sits around for long, bacteria decompose the urea giving it that ammonia smell.
Urine from pets is quite pungent; the smell can linger for days even after the urine has been cleaned up. The only way to guarantee that your carpet will be free from smell is by using either store bought or homemade cleaners to eliminate the odor.
What You Need to Get the Smell of Pee Out of Carpet
Depending on the method of carpet cleaning that you choose, you can purchase the following materials:
- Enzyme-based cleaners
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Laundry detergent
- Dish detergent
- Spray bottle
- Vacuum cleaner
You can use several cleaners to get the smell of pee out of the carpet, depending on how fresh or old the stain is. They include the following:
1. Enzyme-Based Cleaners
A natural enzyme-based cleaner is a store-bought product that breaks down urine molecules and dissolves the smell. Purchase cleaners that specifically target pet urine. These are protease-based enzyme cleaners that work best on pet urine and feces. Enzyme-based cleaners are especially helpful for dried cat pee stains already producing odors on the carpet.
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2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Vinegar and baking soda are pet-safe, effective, cheap, and eco-friendly. They work by neutralizing the bacteria in the urine to finish the odor. They can be sprinkled on the stain and then vacuumed, but they can only work to absorb odor after you’ve cleaned up the initial mess.
To clean a carpet using baking soda and vinegar solution, mix 1 part of white vinegar and 2 parts warm water, then add 2 teaspoons of baking soda.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a potent cleaner, but it may cause discoloration to your carpet, so make sure that you test it on a non-conspicuous area first. It is free of toxic stabilizers found in brown bottle peroxide. It is non-GMO and safe and it preserves the environment.
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To use it, soak a cloth in hydrogen peroxide and place it on the pee stain. Leave it for eight hours to absorb the smell. Alternatively, dilute 2 parts of hydrogen peroxide with one part water and a few drops of liquid soap to make a spray.
4. Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent works well for fresh stains. Only be sure not to dry the carpet until you can’t smell the pee anymore because the heat will aggravate the smell.
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Mix the laundry detergent with warm water to create a strong cleaning agent for your carpets, rugs, and furniture. Pour the mixture on the pee stain and scrub with a soft-bristled brush.
5. Dish Detergent
Liquid dish detergent is an odor neutralizer and pee cleaner. You can combine it with hydrogen peroxide and warm water to clean stains and eliminate odors from urine. You can create a cleaner with liquid dish detergent and warm water to help stifle urine odors.
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How to Get Fresh Pee Smell Out of Carpet
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Materials you’ll need:
- Paper towels or white cloths
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dishwashing liquid
- Spray bottle
- Baking soda
- 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
- Vacuum.
Removing urine from carpets is more challenging than hardwood floors, tiled floors, or other floors. However, these tips will help make your work easier and leave your carpet smelling fresh.
1. Blot the Urine
To clean new urine, you have to do it quickly. Pat the area with paper towels, rags or cloth so that the urine does not wet the carpet before cleaning it. Make sure that the material you are going to rub on your carpet is white or light colored to avoid staining the carpet with the color from the cloth. If you’re using your hands, then wear your shoes or gloves and then use your body weight to press your paper towels against the surface to absorb as much liquid as possible.
2. Make the Cleaning Solution
Clean with an enzyme based cleaner as directed on the label. Alternatively, mix one part of distilled white vinegar with one part of water and add two teaspoons of dish detergents in the spray bottle.
3. Clean the Carpet
Use the solution created above to spray the carpet on the affected area. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for about five minutes.
4. Scrub With Cloth or Brush
Rub the area gently with a clean white cloth, rug, carpet brush or paper towels to further wash the solution into the carpet. First, you should start rubbing from the outer part of the stain and moving the stain towards the center. Clean lightly as you move towards a cleaner part of your cloth depending on the staining of your cloth. Rinse the cleaning solution with a clean dry towel or a piece of paper towel.
5. Neutralize the Odor
Pour baking soda on the vinegar mixture to neutralize the urine. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit on the affected area and cover with a damp cloth for at least 24 hours then vacuum the area.
6. Spritz With Water
Spray the cleaned area with clean water to rinse away the soapy residue. Blot the water out using dry cloths until no more moisture is transferred. Alternatively, use a wet or carpet cleaner to clean it.
7. Freshen Up
Add a fabric pet odor eliminator once the spot is arid for freshness.
How to Get Old Pee Smell Out of Carpet
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Sometimes you don’t catch the pee immediately, leading to its drying up. Follow these steps to clean up the old pee smell from your carpet.
1. Locate the Dried Urine
If the urine has dried up on the carpet for a long time then the location of the stain will be very difficulty to determine. Try using a UV Black light to spot the stain since it will make it easy to locate it. You can purchase a small UV light at a home repair shop or on the internet. You will notice green or yellowish residues or marks.
2. Make a Cleaning Solution
Mix vinegar and water at a ratio of 1:1 and apply this solution on the stain, then scrub the stained area with a soft brush. Wipe it with a towel to make it dry. Alternatively, prepared by combining one cup of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda and two drops of dishwashing liquid and pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it. Shake them well before using since hydrogen peroxide has to be mixed every time it is to be used as it loses strength when exposed to light. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can actually change the colors of the carpet if left on it for long. So, use it on light colored carpets.
3. Let it Soak
Spray the cleaning solution on the affected area and let it soak for about 20 minutes.
4. Neutralize the Smell
To mask the odor, use a pet odor neutralizer or simply dust some baking soda over the area. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum it up.
5. Rinse and Dry
Use a white cloth to blot the cleaning solution away. Rinse and air-dry the carpet.
Precautions and Tips to Consider When Removing Pee Smell Out of Carpet
A good carpet lasts three to five years, and you don’t want to compromise its quality by letting unwanted smells sit around uncleaned. White vinegar and baking soda are great solutions to keeping your carpet in perfect shape and smell. However, you must take precautions and remember the following tips when dealing with pee stains and stink.
- To avoid that nose-blocking, eye-watering stink, clean up the urine stains as soon as possible.
- Put down pads to avoid accidents that may be caused by flowing urine.
- Test your carpet cleaners first because some materials can react differently to certain cleaners.
- Whenever possible, steam-clean your carpets to remove any lingering smell.
- You can remove odors from the air in the room by opening a box of baking soda and leaving it open.
- If your carpet stain refuses to come out after several attempts, seek professional help.
- Bleaching powder can permanently fade the color of your carpet. Therefore, avoid it unless your carpet is white.
- Avoid chemicals that are not recommended.
- Always use a good quality carpet cleaner to preserve the health of the carpet’s fibers.
- Avoid covering the carpet with other accessories to hide it, as this can damage your carpet permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get the Smell of Pee Out of Carpet
1. How long can the smell of pee last?
If you clean your carpet thoroughly, the smell of pee may disappear within 15 minutes. However, the pet pee smell may take several days to stop smelling after cleaning the stain. If you leave urine stains unattended, it may take days to stop smelling.
2. Can room spray remove the smell of pee?
After thoroughly cleaning your carpet, the smell may still linger for a while. You can use certain sprays to remove the smell. You can make a homemade baking soda spray with half a cup of baking soda and four cups of water, then spray it in your room. Alternatively, you can purchase an enzyme-based cleaner to clean the pee stain and deodorize it.
3. Does hydrogen peroxide get rid of the urine smell?
Yes. Hydrogen peroxide helps remove urine smells, but you must combine it with other household ingredients to make an effective deodorizer.
- Mix 2 parts hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle with 1 part warm water.
- Add a few drops of liquid dish soap.
- Spray the urine stain thoroughly.
- Use water to rinse the stain.
- Repeat the process until the smell dissipates.
- Dry the spot with a paper towel or an old cleaning towel.
