How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Carpets

Published: 2024-11-12

Having pets often means dealing with small accidents and odors. While outdoor cats bring in dirt and mud, dogs shake off water on the rug, and sometimes pets pee on carpets. Although cleaning up dog urine is usually easy, removing dog urine odor from carpet becomes tough, especially once the smells soak into the fibers of rugs and carpets.

Now the question here is, how to rid carpet of dog urine odor? With some effort, everyday household items and Elix’s odor-eliminating air sprays, you can eliminate the dog pee smell from your carpets and rugs. Just follow these simple steps:

Rewet the area with diluted vinegar:

Mix white vinegar with water (using undiluted vinegar can harm carpet fibers, and white vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and stain remover) in a spray bottle. Shake the solution gently until it is mixed thoroughly. Soak a cloth in the mixture and let it sit for 2-5 minutes to help it soak into the fibers. You can also spray a little mixture directly on the dried urine spot.

It is fine if you see some wetness on the back of the rug. Avoid patting the vinegar dry because it needs time to soak into the pad underneath the carpet to fully eliminate the odor. The acidic properties of white vinegar will ultimately break down urine stains and make them easier to clean up.

And do you know what is the good thing here? Diluted white vinegar won’t leave a stain or change the color of your carpet. You can even test a small and hidden area of the rug first to be sure.

Soak up the vinegar solution: 

After applying the diluted vinegar, it is time to soak up as much of the vinegar and urine as possible. To do this effectively, place a clean and dry old cleaning cloth or sponge over the spot. Use your hands to press down or even step on the towel.

The more pressure you apply, the more liquid will be absorbed. Do not rub the carpet and stick to patting, as rubbing can result in the vinegar and urine working deeper into the carpet. Immediately wash the cloth or discard it once done. 

Repeat as needed:

Vinegar is great at neutralizing urine smells. However, you might need to repeat steps 1 and 2 for tough spots. It is best to let the vinegar solution sit for up to 24 hours in serious cases, as it can help remove dog urine smell from carpet.

If you do not want to use white vinegar, you can go for an enzyme-based cleaner instead. Just soak up the cleaner with a clean and dry towel.

Apply and vacuum up baking soda:

Baking soda is a powerful odor eliminator with multiple uses. It has natural absorbent and antibacterial properties, which also makes it great for cleaning tough stains and getting rid of smells in boots or gym bags. It does not cause discoloration and works well on carpets and other surfaces in your home.

Sprinkle a good amount of the baking soda over the area and let it sit for several minutes to remove dog urine smell from carpet. In other words, coat the area with a thin layer of baking soda, press it into the fabric using a cloth, and let us sit until it forms a crust on the rug.

The crystal-like structure of the baking soda will trap the odor molecules and neutralize them without leaving a mess or bad smell. Vacuum up the baking soda along with the odors it has absorbed. You can consider adding Odor Block 300 by Elix to further neutralize pet odors.

Refresh with odor eliminators: 

Once you are done vacuuming up the baking soda, spray the carpet with home freshener air spray by Elix. Our user-friendly air sprays are designed to eliminate unpleasant odors and leave your home smelling fresh. You can also use our Professional Ultrasonic Fragrance Diffuser to eliminate any lingering smell of dog pee out of carpet.

Related: Understanding and Choosing the Right Odor Eliminators

Final thoughts

Every dog owner will eventually have to deal with a pee accident. Knowing how to remove dog urine smell from carpet and rugs can make things a lot easier when it happens. You can rely on the method discussed in this blog to deal with pet urine messes.

Luckily, Elix has created Odor Block 3000, the best natural pet odor eliminator to keep your home fresh and clean. This strong pet odor neutralizer works on even the toughest smells to ensure your space stays inviting for you and your furry friends. Do not believe us? Try our high-quality products today and see for yourself!

Suggested Read: The Ultimate Guide to Tackling Kitchen Smells 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1- Does the dog pee smell ever go away?

Ans. The unpleasant smell of dog urine can stick around even after the liquid is absorbed and can even last for months if not treated properly. If you truly want to get rid of the odor, you need to eliminate it and not just cover it up like many products do.

Q2- Why is dog urine so hard to eliminate from the carpet?

Ans. Urine can soak into the carpet backing or padding, thus making it hard to remove by hand. You must remove the bacteria to clean a carpet or floor with dog or cat urine.

Q3- What helps remove the smell of dog pee out of carpet?

Ans. Baking soda is a universal natural cleaner that can neutralize dog and cat urine odors in carpets.