If you’re looking for an effective solution on what to do when dog urine soaked into hardwood floor, then you’ve landed on the right page where we have provided detailed information on it.
Pets are inseparable parts of our lives. They are no less than a family member. We love them, thank them for their unconditional love and value them until their last breath. This is supposed to be a pet’s story from birth to death.
Despite loving our pets so dearly, sometimes we feel annoyed with them. Their mischievous nature sometimes gets on our nerves and peeing here, and there is one of them.
We need to train our pets rather than be harsh to them, but what about the floor that has been damaged by the pee? Hardwood floors, especially, are one of the brutal victims of pet urine.
The floor’s look, functionality, and durability as well can be massively affected by pet urine – the toxic chemicals of their waste. We are sure no matter how well-trained your pets are now, you have faced this issue at least once in your lifetime.
This is very common, and that is why we have to be prepared to get rid of unwanted stains on our favorite hardwood floor and prevent such mishaps in the future.
In this blog, we have covered each point, starting from the intensity of the damage, various removal methods, the preventive measures too, and much more if you’re dealing with dog urine soaked into hardwood floor.
Dog Urine Soaked Into Hardwood Floor — A Crucial Element To Damage Your Floor
Hardwood floors can be damaged by cat and dog urine because of the way they seep into and permeate the subfloor. Damage to the wooden floor may not harm its structural strength, but pee stains the floor, leaving black patches.
Once it’s drenched, it can leave a musty scent on your floorboards. After allowing your dog’s pee to rest on the wooden floor for an extended period, you’ll notice an unpleasant ammonia stink in your home.
If you don’t act quickly, the odor will get stronger and the stain will be difficult to remove. A permanent stain may be left by the urine that soaks into the floor, and the moisture in the pee attracts mold and mildew, which can begin to grow on your floor.
Preparation For The Removal
Dog and cat urine stains and odors can be removed from your floor using a variety of home remedies. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar solution, and even commercial stain removers are all viable options.
Stains and odors can be removed with most of these methods. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove dog feces from hardwood flooring. If you are tired and confused looking for the solution on how you can eliminate black water stains from your hardwood floor then we recommend you read this detailed guide on it.
Ventilate The Room
Using a fan or opening the windows can assist in removing any lingering odors and particles from the air. It will also assist remove any hazardous fumes that may be generated during the cleaning procedure.
Clean Up Messes
Make sure your floor is free of any canine waste, both solid and liquid. Take the carpet and rugs out of the room if they’ve been soaked by the dog. Be sure to have enough paper towels on hand to absorb any urine spills quickly.
Maintaining a hardwood floor requires swift action in the event of a spill. Faster removal of pet urine means less time for it to soak into the porous wood and hence less time to smell it as well.
This will make it easier to see the areas that have been contaminated by dog pee throughout the cleanup process. Read this definitive guide if you are irritated with sticky floors after mopping.
Stain Removal Process
After covering the preparation section, it is time to discuss the effective ways of removing pet stains from your hardwood floors. If you have followed the preparation steps well, you can proceed to these further steps to get the desired result.
At first, we are going to discuss the most effective way of removing stubborn stains like pet pee from your hardwood floor. If you can expect some natural product as the most effective solution, you will be disappointed.
The most effective solution that we can use to remove pet stains from the wooden floor is hydrogen peroxide. Let’s understand the process.
Also, Consider: Complete Process To Get Rid Of Hazy Hardwood Floor
Use Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Use or spray some 3 percent hydrogen peroxides directly on the affected surface to remove dog urine stains. Use a hydrogen peroxide-soaked towel to cover the solution of hydrogen peroxide that has previously been placed over the affected floor area.
Soak Into The Stain
Allow the stained area to soak in a solution for 15 minutes before cleaning it. When all else fails, let the material be soaked in water overnight to remove the stench and stain.
The stain and the urine odor should be gone by the time the sun rises. Dog pee stain and smell on your floor can be removed by repeating the previous process for heavily wet urine areas.
Strong Bleach
A harsher bleach like chlorine or oxalic acid may be necessary if hydrogen peroxide fails to remove the discoloration completely. Apply the bleach mixture to the stain with a sponge or a cloth towel and let it sit for five minutes.
Apply baking soda to neutralize it, and then rinse with water. Wait for the area to thoroughly dry before refinishing.
Clean Up
Use a towel to wipe it down, but avoid rubbing it. Simply dab or blot.
Dry The Spot
After wiping for a few minutes, use a clean towel to blot the affected area until it is completely dry. When hardwood floors are damp for an extended period, warping is frequent. This stage should be completed as quickly as feasible.
Other Stain Removal Processes
If you don’t want to use hydrogen peroxide, you don’t need to be upset. We have other ways for you. Check out the other effective ways to help you in this pet stain removal process.
Use Of Vinegar Solution
Acidic white vinegar can neutralize ammonia, making it odorless. Dog urine contains a wide variety of germs and bacteria that vinegar effectively kills. Here are the steps to use vinegar to remove dog feces.
- Spray a can with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water. A vinegar solution can also be purchased; however, these usually contain a nominal amount of 5% vinegar.
- Add a few drops of grapefruit oil to the solution if the odor is too strong and can spread to the entire house.
- Spray the solution you’ve produced in steps one and two above as you scrub the affected area on the hardwood floor.
- After you’ve finished washing, use some clean water to rinse the floor part and then dry mop it. It is possible to use either a dry or a wet vacuum to remove dog urine and surplus moisture.
Use Of Baking Soda Solution
Baking soda is basically an alkaline crystallized powder. It neutralizes the acid content in the urine since it is a base with a pH of over seven. This can cause a pH that is neither acidic nor acrid.
Using a quarter cup of baking soda, apply a thin layer of baking soda to the area where your dog has defecated. Make sure you don’t overdo it and let it sit overnight in a dog-infested area. Using a vacuum cleaner, thoroughly clean the area in the morning.
Pour two tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water into a spray bottle, and shake well before using. To get rid of the urine stains, shake thoroughly and then spray the mixture over the affected area.
Afterward, dab it dry with a microfiber cloth or dry towel to remove any remaining residue.
Use Of Enzymatic Cleaners
To break down the urine molecules and germs, the enzymatic cleaner containing enzymes proteins can dissolve it. In place of hydrogen peroxide in step 3, enzymatic cleaners can be used. The enzymatic cleaner should be allowed to sit on the place for at least 15 minutes or so before wiping it away.
Use Of Hair Developer Solutions
The use of hair development solutions may be recommended by some hairstylists. They act as a bleaching agent, removing the stain from the floor as a result. After 15 minutes, use it to moisten the area and then wipe it clean.
Dry the floor properly with plenty of fresh air. The foul odor and discoloration can be removed by allowing the air to flow freely. If necessary, use a sander for sanding the afflicted region of the hardwood’s surface.
Use the hair developer solution and leave it to rest for at least 20 minutes before washing your hair. Rinse the area with soap and water. Use a stronger bleach if the stain persists. It is possible to remove stains and smells from wood with chlorine.
Use Of Commercial Cleaners
If the natural recipe fails to remove the dog’s urine from the completed hardwood floor, then you’ll need to use a commercial remedy. Stain remover for professional use is available.
As far as how to use them goes, they are identical. Clean the area, apply the products to the dry area, and wait the time indicated on the product packaging. Bolt it down and use a clean cloth to wipe down the area around it.
In addition, there is a product specifically designed to remove odors. Spray it on and wait for it to dry. Cleans and deodorizes the environment by killing the micro-organisms.
Use Of Steam Mop
A steam mop should not be used in a urine-dried region. The steam mop’s vapor and pressure will simply exacerbate the problem. The urine will spread further because of the high-pressure vapor. So avoid using a steam cleaner to remove pet stains from carpets and upholstery.
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Manage Leftover Stains
Do not panic if you have tried everything and the stain and odor persist, but exercise caution when using any other cleaners. Knowing what products to use to clean hardwood floors is key.
Commercial removers designed for pet stains are safe to use on hardwood floors, but steam cleaners and abrasive treatments are not. Check a spot before using anything, and always read the label carefully.
Seal Hardwood Floor
Sealing your hardwood floor may be necessary if you’ve used a rough cloth or acidic cleaner on it. The hardwood floor’s top protective layer can also be worn away by dog pee.
Dust and debris must be entirely removed from an area where staining was removed, so vacuum it all up. Use fine sandpaper to get the job done. More than 80 to 100. To avoid over-sanding, use a finer grit of sandpaper for the final step.
Surface distortion can be further exacerbated by an uneven surface. Then apply two or three coats of wood finish to the area by mixing colorant with spirits and then sprinkling it on.
Make sure the surface is leveled before you start. Then, apply polyurethane or a similar sealant to the floor.
Refinishing
A professional wood floor cleaner is your best chance for stubborn stains and smells. Your floor’s damage will be assessed by a professional, and the best solution will be found.
If you’re a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, you may try sanding down the place and reapplying the stain. Keep in mind that the friction from sanding too quickly can set in more of the stain and odor.
A packet of wooden floor restoration markers can also be used to cover the stain. Remember that these solutions may not always provide the best outcomes, so you should move cautiously.
You Might Also Like To Read: Get Rid Of Buckling Hardwood Flooring
Removal Of Stains When It Is Still Wet
Always use a pair of gloves and grab a roll of paper towels before beginning. In order to get the most out of the puddle, gently set them on the urine. Remove damp towels and resume the blotting process with dry towels if they become saturated.
Clean the area with a damp towel and then dry it with a towel to remove any excess moisture. Regardless of whether or not you can detect the odor, now is the time to deal with it.
Your dog will keep returning to the exact location to relieve itself if it detects the scent. What you need to know: Sprinkle some baking soda over the affected area while it is still wet.
It’s best if you let it rest for at least eight hours, but preferably overnight. Please clean it up with a vacuum that won’t damage your floor. Using baking soda as a natural deodorizer eliminates odors that just won’t go away.
Prevent Pee Stains
Even though cats and dogs and any other creatures we care about are a part of our everyday lives, we want to make sure they’re comfortable. Instead of evicting your dog or putting him in a kennel, you may protect the hardwood floor from pee damage by installing a pet urine barrier.
Here’s how to keep dog and cat urine off your wooden floors:
Wood Flooring Sealant
When hardwood floors aren’t sealed, dog urine tends to seep into the wood. If you scrape the wood floor, the urine will penetrate the sealant and soak into the subfloor.
Apply a sealer to your wood floor to prevent dog pee from going inside into the wood and leaving dark stains, which is the best approach to protect it. When it comes to preventing pet pee from seeping into your hardwood flooring, polyurethane sealants are excellent.
Pet-Friendly Rugs
Everyone has witnessed some pet messes around the house. Corners and other places that aren’t easily accessible tend to be the most common locations for them.
Consider installing a pet-friendly floor in high-traffic areas of your home to protect the hardwood floors from dog urine soaks and aromas. Pet-friendly carpets can be used to help soak up and absorb the urine and odors from your dogs.
Using this method will keep the hardwood floors from being stained by pee.
Nail-Clipping
It is very easy for dogs and cats to scratch wood floors and leaves stains and other damage in their wake. As a result, pet urine tends to accumulate more quickly in certain areas. Soon after it dries, you’ll see dark stains on your hardwood floor’s surface.
Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is an excellent method to avoid these scrapes and urine stains. If you have a lot of scratches on your floor, it will be more difficult to remove urine stains and prevent them from seeping into the subfloor.
Penetrating Oil
Applying penetrating oil to your wooden floor is another fantastic approach to prevent stains and make it pet-friendly simultaneously. This oil penetrates into the wood’s grain, making it more resistant to pet pee and making it more durable.
As a general rule, you should only apply penetrating oil to the areas of your floor where damage from dog urine is most common.
Keep Reading: Process To Get Rid Of Wooden Floors Easily
Few Words Before Wrapping Up…
Pets are our hearts. They don’t understand what we don’t like or like until we make them understand with some gesture. At least they learn if we follow the right tactics to teach them.
Preventing unintentional pet messes in your home is easier with proper pet training and regular veterinary visits. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of getting rid of dog feces on hardwood floors.
This was for prevention. If the mess is already made and you are looking for a solution, you can always follow the methods we have shared in the above article if dog urine soaked into hardwood floor.
We have categorized them with the most effective method and others. There are various alternatives that you can opt for if one method doesn’t work for you or you don’t want to opt for it.
A commercial and specially designed cleaning solution may be necessary to remove dog pee and other pet stains from hardwood floors that have dried.
When dealing with long-lasting staining, it is best to wipe the floor as soon as possible in order to avoid damaging your wooden floors or leaving behind unsightly black streaks.
After that, you can use a steam mop to bring the floor back to its original shine. Don’t hesitate to contact the professional if none of the methods works for you as it is a matter of your hardwood floor that you can’t afford to risk ruining.
