No matter how well-trained your dog is or how strictly you adhere to your potty-break plan, accidents happen and you are going to need carpet and furniture cleaning. Whether on the carpet, hardwood floor, or anywhere else, immediate action is the best method to ensure that dog urine does not leave a permanent mark (and smell). Even if you come across a dried pee puddle or stain, there are things you can do to get rid of the odor. Some stains may be difficult to locate. This is when a urine stain detector can assist you in determining which areas need to be cleaned.

Urine Stains on a New Carpet or Fabric
Your dog has just urinated on the carpet. What happens next? Fortunately, you most likely have the necessary cleaning supplies on hand. Spread a thick layer of paper towels over the damp area and, if feasible, under it. Wrap it in a thick layer of newspaper. You can either stand on the paper for a few minutes to help it absorb the urine faster, or simply leave the paper until the majority of the urine has been absorbed. Then, rinse the area with cool water after removing all of the paper. Blot up any excess water with towels or a damp vac. Fair warning: the soggy towels will most likely stink, which is a good thing because it implies you’re extracting as much pee and its stench as possible.

After you’ve wiped up most of the liquid, the following step is to get rid of the stink. And your best weapon for this is a regular household item: baking soda. Spread baking soda thinly and evenly on the damp spot, taking care not to overdo it; 1/4 cup or less is usually sufficient for most stains. Allow the baking soda to rest overnight before vacuuming thoroughly. You may need to vacuum up all of the powder multiple times until the area seems clean to the touch.

Another method incorporates another common home item, vinegar. 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a clean spray bottle. Shake it up to combine the chemicals before spraying on the stain. Allow it to settle for a few minutes before blotting with towels until clean.

Fabric and Carpets with Dried Dog Urine
What if you didn’t discover an accident location until it had dried? Or have you recently moved into a new home and discovered that the carpet in the living room smells like dog urine? While removing the smell from dried stains is more difficult, there are some efficient strategies to try.

Begin by thoroughly washing the area with simple water. Use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to saturate and suction the area until it is clean. Avoid using a steam cleaner because the heat can permanently establish the odor and stain. If you don’t have a wet-dry vacuum, you can try repeatedly wetting and wiping the region with warm water and clean clothes.

If this does not remove the odor, use an enzymatic cleanser. These bio-based cleaners break down and eliminate odors and stains at the molecular level. Choose an enzyme-based cleanser designed specifically for pet stains.

Hardwood Has New Urine Stains
Your dog just peed on your wooden floor. Don’t sit there wringing your hands; you must move quickly. Cover the puddle with a large wad of paper towels or dish towels. You can speed up absorption by standing on the towels for a few minutes. Continue to soak up the urine with fresh towels until a towel comes up dry.

Getting Rid of Hardwood Odors
Because urine can saturate the wood, removing scents from hardwood floors is tough. You do, however, have a few options. The first is comparable to what would be used on carpet. Combine white vinegar and water in a one-to-one ratio. Apply the solution to the stain using a sponge. Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it down with a clean, dry towel. Some experts recommend a more diluted solution of 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. If you’re concerned about the impact of vinegar on your floors, use this less concentrated version. In any case, test the solution on a tiny, inconspicuous area of the floor first.

If the stink persists, sprinkle baking soda on the damp floor and leave it for at least several hours or overnight. Then vacuum it up with your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment. Finally, apply an enzyme-based stain remover that is appropriate for hardwood floors. First, test it in a tiny area and then follow the guidelines on the product’s container. When the pee and odor have been fully eliminated, clean the floor with whatever you normally use.

Whatever your dog has piddled on, the best course of action is to respond quickly. The sooner you start, the more probable it is that you will be able to eradicate all traces of urine odor. You don’t want any remaining remnants of his accident for your dog to uncover, because he might decide this is his new favorite area to pee.