Is It Possible To Remove Dog Pee Stains From Hardwood Flooring
This is by far one of the top questions asked, how do you remove pet urine stains and pet odors from hardwood floors? If you have a pet, then chances are they are going to pee on your beautiful hardwoods and tinkle on your favorite carpet unbeknownst to you. If you move the carpet back and you see dark stains, then your four-legged friend has been peeing on your hardwoods. Dark stains may also be the result of liquid spills as well. With the correct products, you can get urine stains and odors that are left behind by your furry friend.
The quicker you can find the stain, the better. If you realize that your pet has used the area as a potty, don’t just wipe up the stain. Take the time to scrub the area with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. Then follow up with sprinkling baking soda over the area. This will ensure that any residuals are soaked up and it will also serve to deodorize the area as well. Let it sit for a few hours, then wipe it up with warm water and a clean cloth.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, ie., I earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and sometimes if you just click on a link at no additional cost to you. Please read my Disclosure Policy for more info.
If you are an animal lover and have multiple 4 legged friends, you may want to consider opting for pet-friendly floors. Yes, there is flooring that is more friendly and forgivable than hardwoods. Check out our article on Pet-Friendly Flooring.
15% OFF Sitewide with Promo Code: FLEX15
Most people will say that you can’t get the stain out, but I beg to differ.
Home Solutions To Remove Pet Urine From Floors
There are several commercial cleaners that should do the trick to remove urine stains from hardwood floors, however, I suggest that you start with homemade remedies before you spend all your hard-earned money. There are effective homemade solutions that people swear by. Here are a few measures on how to remove urine from hardwood floors and odors from animal urine.
Warning: Before you try this, I suggest that you find an inconspicuous place to test first.
Hydrogen Peroxide Removes Pet Stains
Option 1. Pour a little hydrogen peroxide 3% mixed with water over the stain and then cover it with a clean cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Cover the cloth with plastic wrap, weighting it with a book if necessary. Allow this to sit overnight or for at least 8 hours. The hydrogen peroxide should remove any stains and eliminate the urine odor. If this does not work, I suggest reaching out directly to Service Master Clean and scheduling a chemical cleaning.
White Vinegar and Grapefruit Removes Pet Stains
Option 2. White vinegar and grapefruit oil are a solution for removing stains. The vinegar neutralizes the ammonia that is found in animal urine. Mix one cup of vinegar into a warm water-filled bucket and add some drops of grapefruit oil to the solution to get rid of the odor. Scrub the floor with this safe cleaning solution, concentrating on the most prominent spots. As you scrub, the odor and stains should be disappearing.
Enzymatic Cleaner
Option 3. Enzymatic cleaners are non-toxic and particularly effective in breaking down urine stains and odors, according to Animal Planet. Utilizing natural enzymes, these cleaners neutralize and remove the urine. A pet that constantly urinates in the house may be a sign of a more serious problem and you should schedule a visit with your vet asap.
Baking Soda
Option 4. Baking Soda Add option 4 as a final step in option 2. Place baking soda over the area and allow it to sit for several hours or overnight. The baking soda will absorb and dry out the area… We all know that you can use baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors. The same applies to absorbing the odors from your hardwood floors.
There are numerous commercial cleaners that will do the trick as well, both chemical-based and organic. See our quick list below. Always test a small area, prior to use.
Prevent The Hardwood Floor Stains – Train your Pets To Use Litter Box
The #1 way to prevent pets such as dogs and cats from peeing in your home is to properly train them to use a litter box. Though it may be time-consuming, it is worth the time in the end. Maintain a few rags just in case your pet has an accident and wipe and treat the area as recommended above.
Feeding and watering your dog at set intervals should help you to time their bathroom needs. Puppies normally want to go to the bathroom anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes after consuming food and water, so keep a watchful eye out.
Adult dogs will let you know that they need to relieve themselves by whining or waiting at the door for you. Because so many of us are working from home, we have more of a tendency to get caught up in work and forget that our four-legged friend may not be caged throughout the day and will not hesitate to use another area to relieve themselves that is not their bed. Animals do not like to pee or do #2 where they sleep.
Professional Strength Stain & Odor Remover – Natural Enzyme Cleaner (Bulk 32oz) for Dog & Cat Urine
24 oz Ready-to-Use Citrus Pet Odor Eliminator Pet Spray – Urine Remover and Carpet Deodorizer for Dogs and Cats
Remove The Stained Pieces Of Hardwood
Hire a professional hardwood floor installer to remove the damaged pieces and replace them. This is not the most cost-effective, but it will give you the results that you desire. You will need to resand and restain the floors. Sanding floors is not something you should try on your own. As much as we love a good DIY, this is not the time to try your DIY skills.
Choose A Dark Stain
Another option is to sand your floors and stain your floors a dark stain that is dark enough to cover up the spots. Consider using dark walnut, ebony, royal mahogany, or jacobean. Any dark stain will do the trick. All of these colors are trending and may give you a fresh new look in 2021 and solve your urine problem at the same time.
Here are the top products that I recommend when it comes to floors. Best Steam Mop for tile floors. Best hardwood floor cleaner. Best product for eliminating Urine smell.
Some great ideas ! Lord knows I have had my fair share of pet issues. I don’t think I tried the vinegar and grapefruit. I’ll give that a try next time.
I have definitely tried it and gotten fairly decent results.. I’ve been watching (Babysitting) my son’s dog. Monday through Friday, she’s my dog!