3 Hacks to Remove Urine Stains

Ah, those lovable dogs and their cute and clever antics! Don’t we all love the way they play fetch and run and jump and roll around and lick us affectionately and pee all over the carpet and — wait, pee all over the carpet? Okay, maybe we aren’t exactly a fan of that aspect of dog ownership, now are we?

Dogs can be housebroken and trained to let their owners know when they need to go outside and make a little weedle or some other bigger job, but before that happens — and sometimes after as well — the interior of your home becomes Rover’s marked territory. The stains and smells of Phydeaux’s little mishaps and dishonourable discharges can leave a lasting impression on rugs and carpets, furniture, and other items in your home if they’re not taken care of immediately.

If you’re fortunate enough to catch your pet in the act of relieving himself all over the rug, take the steps that have to do with the dog’s training and then attend to the poodle puddle right away. Use a rag or some paper towels to soak up as much of the mess as possible, and then clean the area with a mixture of cold or lukewarm (never hot) water and some sort of cleaning agent. Peroxide works well at removing the chance of a stain as well as the odour, but it should not be used on certain fabrics or dyes. A dab of dishwashing liquid (the kind you use in the sink, not the dishwasher) mixed with water can do a good job on these fresh marks as well.

For stains that have been allowed to sit for a time, you’ll need to take slightly more drastic measures. Organic cleansers work best on stains like these and should be chosen over chemicals. If you do use chemicals, peroxide is your friend once again as it can act as a terrific stain remover. Again, you’ll want to dilute with warm water and apply it to the area. Some scrubbing will be necessary, but it should be done as gently as possible, depending on the type of fabric. If we’re talking about carpet, some vigorous scrubbing will probably beokay as the fibres are designed to take a bit of a beating. But be careful not to go ham on the carpet and scrub it with all the force of your pent-up aggression. Excessive scrubbing canshorten the lifespan of your carpet.

If the soiled items are washable fabrics like clothing, towels, or small throw rugs, the stains should come out in the wash. Put the item in the washer by itself with the regular laundry detergent that you would normally use and some colour-safe bleach (whites can and should be done with regular chlorine bleach).

The best way to deal with doggie urine stains is to avoid having them happen in the first place, which can be accomplished through careful and meticulous training. If the occasional whoopsie does happen, don’t lose your head. Deal with the dog in the appropriate manner and rest easy in the knowledge that, in most cases, pee washes out.