18 Ways To Get Rid Of Dog Pee Smell

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Dog urine smells can linger for days and are such a pain in the neck to remove. Whether on your carpet, wood floors, or even outside, it's best to confront this problem as quickly and effectively as possible to keep your home fresh and clean.

Here are 18 highly effective methods to rid dog pee odors from different surfaces so that your home will always be inviting and smell fresh.


1. Vinegar and Baking Soda

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They are one of the most popular and effective natural remedies to eliminate the dog pee smell. This is because vinegar is an acid responsible for neutralizing the ammonia contained in your dog's urine, effectively breaking down its components.

You will need to mix equal parts water and white vinegar for this method, then spray the area thoroughly with the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes. Next, liberally sprinkle baking soda over the area to absorb both the vinegar and the smell of urine. Let it dry and vacuum it up to get rid of the baking soda.

This is just excellent for carpets, furniture, and hard floors since the solution offers a natural, non-toxic way to handle dog pee odors. It disinfects the surface and takes away the smell.

2. Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzyme-based cleaners are specifically designed to handle tough organic spots and stains, including dog urine. The enzymes present in such cleaners break down proteins and molecules in dog urine and neutralize odors to prevent your pets from remarking.

Such cleaners can be safely used on carpets, upholstery, and hard surfaces. Such cleaners will continue to work hours after application to ensure deep cleaning and complete removal of odors.

Unlike more traditional cleaners, enzymatic cleaners break down the molecular source of the odor so that it is undetectable even to dogs. This is particularly important because dogs tend to go back to the same places they have gone before. 

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

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The cleaning solution of hydrogen peroxide should be mixed with a small amount of dish soap and baking soda. This mixture not only helps in removing the smell but also disinfects the place and removes any residual stains.

Just apply it to the urine spot, let it stay that way for a couple of minutes, then wipe it with a cloth. Hydrogen peroxide is very effective in cleaning as it helps in eliminating bacteria and neutralizes odor.

However, this should be used with caution on dark wood floors or furniture because over time it can lighten the material and It is a good idea to test a small area that is not as noticeable before applying it completely.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils, like lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil, confer a natural freshness to cleaning and deodorizing at home and possess antimicrobial characteristics that thoroughly neutralize odors.

Blended with water and other cleaning solutions, essential oils enhance the scent and protect your home from bacteria. Add a vinegar solution or baking soda treatment to create a long-acting fragrance to freshen up the space.

Just be sure to use pet-safe oils, as some can be toxic to dogs. Essential oils should not be used directly with your pet or anywhere your dog might ingest them as they are harmful in certain doses.

5. Baking Soda For Carpets

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It is very common in your home, utilized in eliminating odors, and very efficient when attempting to get rid of dog urine smells that have saturated carpets. Once you have cleaned up as much excess urine as possible, sprinkle copious quantities of baking soda directly onto the area. 

Let it stay on overnight or for a few hours and, it starts to soak up moisture and odor particles, thereby neutralizing the smell far down into the fibers of your carpet and then the powder can be thoroughly vacuumed up.

The result of this easy yet effective method is that your carpet smells fresh and clean without harsh chemicals. Even better, it's an inexpensive, environmentally friendly option that's safe for pets and people alike.

6. Blacklight To Find Stains

Dog urine stains may sometimes go undetected because they dry up and merge with the surface. However, the black light may make their detection a whole lot easier, urine would show under ultraviolet light.

Just simply turn off the light in the room and run the blacklight across the area you think your dog could have urinated upon. Dried-up urination spots will become visible through the use of a blacklight, whereby you can surely pinpoint exactly which areas need cleaning.

Once you find those areas, you'll be able to take the appropriate cleaning agent and administer a dose-for instance, an enzymatic cleaner or vinegar solution so that the mark is completely removed, both stain and odor. This is quite useful in carpets and upholstery, where stains might not always be as evident to the naked eye. 

7. Upholstery Steam Cleaning

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Steam cleaning is one of the most effective methods to eliminate dog urine odors on upholstered furniture. The high-temperature water vapor from the steam cleaner degrades the deeply entrenched odor and stains within fabric fibers.

The action of heat-opening upholstery loosens and lifts off urine particles while sanitizing the area. After steam cleaning, follow up with either a deodorizing cleaner or an enzymatic cleaner to ensure the smell is fully neutralized.

Steam cleaning can also do wonders in renewing your furniture without using any harsh chemicals, which is very pet-friendly. While much of the actual cleaning is accomplished through steam, the addition of an odor-removing solution makes for a fresh-smelling result. Be sure to allow some drying time after cleaning so mold or mildew doesn't accumulate inside your furniture.

8. Outdoor Hose And Baking Soda

If your dog frequently urinates outdoors, the smell can accumulate in grass, patios, and decks over time. To remove outdoor odors from urine, start by watering down the area to dilute the urine and wash it away.

After a rinse, liberally sprinkle baking soda over smelly areas. Let the baking soda sit for several hours to dry and absorb the smell before once again rinsing it with water.

This will not damage most outdoor surfaces and is an eco-friendly and natural method for urine odor elimination in your yard. If the odor persists, this can be repeated, or one could use a mild vinegar rinse afterward for added success.

9. Bleach Diluted for Outdoor Areas

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A very successful remedy for stubborn outdoor urine odors, especially on concrete or hard surfaces like patios, is a bleach solution that has been diluted. Mix one part bleach with ten parts water; then apply this to the surface.

Apply the solution and then immediately rinse the area with plenty of water to remove the residue.

However, while bleach may effectively disinfect, it is important to take caution around pets and plants. Make sure the area is fully dry before allowing your dog back onto the surface, and avoid use in grassy areas or gardens, as this will cause harm to the plants.

10. Neutralizing Pet Stains With Lemon Juice

The acidity in lemon juice works to break down the enzymes present in urine, which causes the smell. You may apply fresh lemon juice or a lemon concentrate mixed with water in a spray solution form onto the spot, allowing it to sit for a few minutes before simply wiping it off with a cloth.

Lemon juice removes the odor but leaves a fresh, citrus smell that can help naturally deodorize your house. This works well on most hard surfaces, from tile to wood floors, but with fabrics and carpets, you will want to use it sparingly, as it may discolor because of the acidity.

Always do a small test on the patch first before applying it in any capacity, as the acidity contained in lemon juice could discolor any fabric material.

11. Wet Vacuum Cleaner

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A wet vacuum cleaner or carpet extractor is among the best tools that come into play in handling dog pee, more so on carpets and fabric surfaces. On the principle of spraying water on the surface while simultaneously sucking it out with dirt, stains, and odor, this equipment will work beautifully.

You can use a vacuum with plain water or, for better results, mix in a pet-safe cleaner or deodorizer. The vacuum suction pulls out particles of urine from deep inside the fibers, hence ensuring complete removal of the odor.

Wet vacuums remove dog urine odors and help disinfect the area to prevent any type of bacterial accumulation. Allow it to be followed by vacuuming with an enzymatic-based cleaner to break down organic elements present in the urine.

12. Commercial Odor Neutralizers

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If home remedies seem ineffective, there are commercial odor neutralizers specifically designed to combat pet urine odors. Such products are specially formulated to chemically neutralize the compounds in dog urine responsible for odors.

Most of them are simple to use, requiring only spraying or application on the spot area for them to take effect.

They offer long-lasting odor elimination, which makes them ideal for high-traffic, high-urine areas that your dog frequents. Just make sure that you find one safe for your pet so health hazards for your dog can be avoided.

13. Charcoal Air Purifiers

Activated charcoal is extremely well-known for its prowess in odor absorption and neutralization, therefore, it will be effective in homes plagued by dog urine odor. You can hang bags of activated charcoal around the area where the smell hits hardest-be it near carpets, sofas, or even outside in the backyard.

The structure of charcoal is porous, hence allowing it to trap odor molecules, especially while purifying the air to get rid of unwanted odors.

This technique of odor control is particularly effective because it is long-lasting, since charcoal works without much exertion or replacement. It is nonpoisonous and safe for your pets, thus providing a chemical-free alternative to deodorizing your house.

Charcoal can be used along with other cleaning techniques, therefore making it an added tool in your odor-fighting armamentarium.

14. Febreze for Quick Odor Removal

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It is well-known fabrics and air fresheners in the world that trap odor molecules, and neutralize them, not only mask smells. While one may not use it to remove dog pee stains, it is an excellent temporary quick fix for instantly removing urine odors from soft surfaces such as couches, carpets, and curtains.

It's easy to use, just spray the affected area lightly, and the smell will be significantly reduced. You'll need to couple it with deeper cleaning methods, like enzyme cleaners or steam cleaning for longer-term odor control.

In a nutshell, Febreze might become an important part of your cleaning arsenal because it saves you time and efficiency for immediate results that will help you extend the freshness of your home between deeper cleanings.

15. Washing Dog Bedding Routinely

It is important to wash the bedding or favorite lounging areas regularly to avoid any pervasive urine odor. Most dog beds have washable, removable covers that fit in a washing machine. 

Use strong detergent and include a cup of white vinegar in the wash water to help neutralize any remaining urination aroma. For padding in the bed, you may have to spot clean or put the padding in the washing machine on a delicate cycle.

Washing your dog's bedding on a routine schedule helps return your house to smelling clean again and keeps your dog healthy and comfortable. It also helps to make sure your dog's bedding is disinfected and deodorized to keep beds free from bacteria and other odor-causing agents building up over time.

16. HEPA Filter Air Purifiers

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Getting an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter may be a game-changer in how to get rid of stubborn dog pee odors in the air. HEPA filters are made to catch tiny particles, all the way down in size to those that are attributed to bad smells.

Some purifiers also feature an activated carbon filter element, which is effective in absorbing odors. HEPA purifiers can greatly reduce odors and increase air quality when operating in places where your dog urinates.

Air cleaners are a godsend for dog owners because they allow the house to feel fresher and cleaner with less cleaning of the surfaces. Not only do they help with urine odors, but they also reduce pet dander and other allergens in the air, thus making them an added enhancement to homes with pets.

17. Sun and Fresh Air

Don't underestimate the power of sunlight and fresh air against dog urine odors. When possible, take advantage of those sunny days by opening your windows, allowing fresh air to flow through your house.

Leaving them outside in the sun for a few hours after your dog pees on such washable items as rugs and cushions can also deodorize them.

Regular airing in your home can make a very great difference, especially when combined with other cleaning techniques.

18. Engage in Regular Cleaning

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Minimize dog pee smells by keeping up with normal cleaning such as regular vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down surfaces on which your dog urinates are fundamental to containing odors. Even if your dog is fully house-trained, it is good practice to continue cleaning up the floors, carpets, and furniture regularly to prevent odor buildup.

Set the habit of always reaching for odor-neutralizing products like baking soda, vinegar, and enzyme cleaners to clean up any stains right away. Cleaning up regularly makes your home smell fresh and avoids the building up of bacteria and staining.

Regular cleaning prevents small mishaps from turning into odor nightmares, that's how you'll be able to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for you and your pets.

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