Stop Dog Pee Smell on Hardwood floor (Easy Ways)
Got a lingering dog pee smell on your hardwood floors? Follow this step by step guide to remove urine stains and odors permanently using simple, effective methods.
Hardwood floors are stunning and long lasting, but they absorb liquids rapidly. If your dog urinates on the wood, the urine can penetrate the surface. Dog urine has components such as urea, uric acid, ammonia, and bacteria that can seep into wood. This can lead to unpleasant odors in your floor. If not cleaned properly, dog urine odor can linger for weeks or even months.
How to Get Rid of the Smell: Step by Step
Steps to take immediately after countering the situation:
1. Blot it up! Grab paper towels and soak up as much pee as you can. Don’t rub, just press down.
2. Mix warm water with a little dish soap. Use a damp cloth to wipe the spot. Then, dry it well.
3. Vinegar time! Mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Wipe the spot with this. Vinegar gets rid of the pee smell. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell goes away too. Dry it again.
4. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot. It soaks up smells! Leave it for a few hours, or overnight, then vacuum it up.
5. Hydrogen peroxide: This is strong, so test it on a hidden spot first. Mix equal parts water and the regular brown bottle hydrogen peroxide. Dab it on the spot, let it sit a few minutes, then dry it.
6. Enzyme cleaners are made to eat up the stuff in dog pee that smells bad. Follow the directions on the bottle.
7. Some cleaners are made just for hardwood floors and pet smells.
Hardwood floors are porous, meaning urine can sink deep into the wood grain if not cleaned immediately. That’s why it’s crucial to act fast when you counter the situation.
Here are three methods to do that:
Three easy ways to remove dog pee smell from hardwood floors
1. Rinse the Area with a Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and helps neutralize urine odors without damaging the wood.
What you need:
– 1 cup white vinegar
– 1 cup water
– A spray bottle or bowl
• Combine vinegar and water in a spray bottle or bowl.
• Gently spray the area.
• Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Clean up with a fresh, damp cloth.
Vinegar effectively breaks down ammonia and bacteria, naturally removing odors.
2. Sprinkle Baking Soda to Absorb Odors
Baking soda is amazing at absorbing smells trapped in wood floors.
• Generously sprinkle baking soda over the area you’ve cleaned.
• Allow it to sit for a minimum of 8 hours (overnight is ideal!).
• Sweep or vacuum up the baking soda.
3. Use an Enzyme Cleaner for Deep Odor Removal
If the vinegar and baking soda didn’t completely remove the smell, enzyme cleaners can help us.
They contain live bacteria that break down urine molecules on a biological level. Unlike standard cleaners, they don’t just mask the odor instead they completely eliminate it.
• Spray the enzyme cleaner directly onto the affected area.
• Let it sit for 15-30 minutes (check the product instructions).
• Wipe away excess cleaner with a damp cloth.
• Allow the area to air dry completely.
Dry the Area Completely
Moisture left behind can cause warping, staining, or mold on hardwood floors.
- Use a dry towel to remove excess moisture.
- Set up a fan or open windows for better airflow.
- If needed, use a hairdryer on low heat to speed up drying.
What If the Urine Smell Won’t Go Away?
If you’ve tried all the steps mentioned above and the urine smell still remains, it’s possible that the urine has soaked deeply into the wood or subfloor.
Advanced solutions:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide Soak: Soak a cloth in 3% hydrogen peroxide, place it on the stain for 5-10 minutes, and then wipe it dry. (Be careful: hydrogen can lighten the floor if left too long)
2. Sanding & Refinishing: If the urine has penetrated deeply, you may need to sand and refinish the floor.
3. Professional Cleaning: If the smell continues despite several cleanings, it might be time to call in the professionals.
Prevent Future Accidents with a Dog Deterrent
Now that your floors are clean, let’s make sure your pup doesn’t pee there again!
You can do it by using some sprays that dog’s don’t like (citrus, essential oils, vinagar etc). You can mop your floor with these to discourage your dog to pee on floor. you can have a look on our in depth post on smells that dogs hate to know more and you can also train your dog some commands to have control on them.
How Do You Get Dog Pee Stains Out of Hardwood Floors?
If the urine has left a stain, follow these steps:
Hydrogen Peroxide Method
• Soak a cloth or paper towel in hydrogen peroxide.
• Lay it over the stain for 5-10 minutes.
• Gently scrub with a soft bristle brush.
• Wipe clean with water and dry thoroughly.
Caution: Test hydrogen peroxide on a hidden area first. It can lighten wood floors if left too long.
DIY Baking Soda & Vinegar Paste
– Mix baking soda and white vinegar into a paste.
– Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
– Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
How Do You Make Wood Floors Not Smell Like Dog Urine?
Here’s how to refresh not only your wood floor but the whole house:
Ventilate the room: Open windows and use fans.
Sprinkle baking: Sprinkle soda overnight, Vacuum in the morning.
Use activated charcoal: Place small bowls around the room to absorb odors.
Neutralize the smell : You can use vinegar, Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or some enzyme cleaners to neutralize the smell. This can be the best option to eliminate dog urine smell from the wood floors.
How to Remove Dog Urine Smell from Floor DIY?
Try this DIY urine cleaner:
Ingredients:
• ½ cup white vinegar
• ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• A few drops of dish soap
Instructions:
1. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle.
2. Spray on the affected area and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Wipe clean and dry thoroughly.
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