Will Carpet Cleaning Remove Urine Smell? Anyone who has a pet knows the frustration of trying to remove stinky urine smells from the carpet. Will carpet cleaning remove that persistent urine smell? Thankfully for all pet owners out there, the answer is a resounding yes!

But only if you use the right cleaner for the right job.

The tricky thing is that some cleaners will remove the carpet stain, but only mask the smell. You might think the battle is won when the stink fades away, but give it a few days, and you’ll start to smell the urine again as the perfume wears off.

Why? Well, fresh pet urine is acidic and can be handled by adding a base. However, urine that’s sat for a while will contain high levels of ammonia, also known as NH3. The concoction is colorless so it won’t worsen the visible stain.

But it will stink to high heaven if left long enough. What you need is a cleaner that will not only mask the urine but actually destroy it, breaking it down and getting rid of that stain for good. For that, you need a few million enzymes to lend a hand.

Enzymes

When selecting the carpet cleaner, check the back of the bottle and look for key phrases like ‘enzymatic cleaners.’ These will contain a multitude of enzymes such as Lipolases, amylases, and protease, all of which target a specific type of stain.

They attack the urine’s at the molecular level, breaking it down and getting rid of both the smell and the stain at the source.

What’s the best cleaner?

The best enzymatic cleaner for pet urine will always be the ones made specifically for pet urine and carpet. You can find enzymatic cleaners for all sorts of things, from laundry to general household cleaning.

Check-in at your local pet store to find pet-friendly cleaners and keep them on hand while housebreaking your furry friend. Sadly, urine stains are unlikely to be a one-time occurrence.

Pocket-Friendly Options

If you’re tight on cash or bundled up in quarantine and can’t make it to the store, don’t worry! Here are some everyday products you have under your sink and in your cupboards that can be turned into powerful cleaners.

Hydrogen Peroxide

If the stain is fresh, toss some hydrogen peroxide on the spot. Fresh urine is a strong acid, which hydrogen peroxide neutralizes as a base. It oxidizes the urine at its molecular form, transforming the molecules it ones much less offensive to the nose.

Just be careful if you have a colorful carpet; too much can mess with the dyes and leave your carpet discolored. Keep the solution around 3%, but even that can bleach some carpets. If you plan to use this method regularly, test it out on a small piece of the carpet beforehand.

Vinegar

Mix white vinegar with water 1-to-1, meaning half water, half vinegar. If you’ve got it, toss a scoop of Sodium Bicarbonate is there for an extra kick. If you think that sounds fancy, don’t worry; you probably know it as a common baking soda.

Spray your homemade potion on the spot and let it sit for about ten minutes, then start dabbing with a paper towel. Don’t rub! You’ll only push the urine deeper into the carpet, making it harder to fully remove.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda is also great for older stains that are already set into the carpet; just pour some on the spot, leave it for a while, then vacuum it up. The longer you let the baking soda sit, the better it works. Remember to block off the area so your pet can’t reach the baking soda; it’s harmless to cats and dogs in small doses, but large amounts can be toxic.

Machine Cleaning

If your carpet is getting stained over and over again, you should consider machine cleaning. You can find professional carpet cleaners wherever you live, who will give your carpet a deep scrub. If you’re worried about the cost, remember you won’t need this for every little stain.

Once or twice a year should be enough for most pet owners. You can also buy these machines for yourself – check online for used ones in your area.

Will Carpet Cleaning Remove Urine Smell? – Conclusion

So there you have it! With various chemicals, products, machines, and some good old fashioned elbow grease, you can tackle any surprises your pet springs on you.