How to Clean Pet Urine

What You'll Need

• Paper towels
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Soap-Man Power Wash Laundry Detergent
• Enzyme cleaner

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Blot immediately

   Press paper towels firmly into the wet spot to absorb as much urine as possible. Stand on the towels for maximum pressure.

2. 2

   Apply vinegar solution

   Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour it over the stain, saturating the carpet down to the pad. Blot up the excess.

3. 3

   Apply baking soda

   Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the damp area. Let it sit overnight to absorb odor and remaining moisture.

4. 4

   Apply peroxide solution

   Mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of dish soap. Pour over the baking soda. It will fizz -- let it dry completely, then vacuum.

Pro Tips

• TIPEnzyme cleaners are the gold standard for pet urine. They break down uric acid crystals that other cleaners can't touch.
• TIPUse a UV blacklight to find old, invisible urine spots. They glow under UV light so you can treat areas you can't see.
• TIPIf the urine has soaked through to the carpet pad, the pad may need to be cut out and replaced for complete odor removal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XUsing ammonia-based cleaners, which smell like urine to pets and actually encourage them to urinate in the same spot.
• XUsing a steam cleaner on urine stains before treating them, which sets the stain and odor permanently with heat.
• XNot treating the carpet pad underneath, where most of the urine actually sits. Surface cleaning alone won't fix deep stains.

Frequently Asked Questions