Getting rid of dog urine smell out of hardwood floors can be quite a challenging task.
There are different ways to go about it, depending on the surface in question, whether it is the carpeting in the bedrooms, the living area, and so on. Hardwood floors are especially prone to staining and other damage when they get wet. Urine makes it even worse due to both the smell and color.
This is a common problem for households with puppies who have not yet been sufficiently house-trained. Therefore, you can expect your floors to get peed on in the housetraining period.
CAN DOG PEE DAMAGE YOUR FLOORS?
Stains and Discoloration
Urine has chemical compounds that can act like acid, which can eat through the varnish or paint and even the wood underneath. Upon wiping off the urine with a rag, those compounds can stick there, which results in the floor losing its woody look.
Corrosion
Since dog pee has ammonia and uric acid, it can corrode hardwood floors by going through the protective coating on top. If addressed early on, all you have to worry about is the stain. But if you let it sit, it can further expose the wood underneath to other elements. Also, the ammonia can trigger the germs within the wood grain, giving them a chance to multiply.
Smell
Unlike cat pee, you may not notice the odor of dog pee. However, the stinky dog urine stuck on hardwood floors can get worse in time. The odor of ammonia stays in the wood, making it more noticeable as time passes well after the event of your dog’s urination.
Swelling
Wood swells when exposed to moisture. The same can occur with dog urine, and it can deteriorate the wood. The pee can penetrate in the wood over time, thus contributing to swelling.
That moisture can spread on to surrounding panels of the flooring. At this point, the damage may become irreversible and the floor will require a comprehensive overhaul.
HARDWOOD FLOOR DOG PEE CLEANUP NECESSITIES
1. Enzymatic Cleaner
All dog owners should have an enzymatic cleaner at the ready. They’re an essential part of the dog home training toolkit, and you ought to keep them within reach if your dog inadvertently pees where it shouldn’t. But how exactly do enzyme-based cleaners operate?
The cleaner utilizes enzymes that break down the acids and other compounds in the dog urine, hence the name. It also kills the germs within the urine, therefore keeping your hardwood flooring from further damage. The cleaner can also dissuade the dog from peeing in those spots over time.
Cleaners also work well when the pee has dried. Therefore, when you spot a stain on the floor due to dog pee, there’s no need to panic. Spray some cleaner like Rocco and Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator on it a few times and wait before washing it off. The enzymatic action will break down bacteria and chemicals that may produce stains and odors, leaving fabric and cushion material clean and fresh. You can use it on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, carriers, kennels, bedding, and many other materials without leaving any discoloration. It’s chlorine-free, so it’s generally safe for your pets!
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide functions in a straightforward manner. It dries the pee out of the hardwood flooring and kills all the germs in it, keeping it from spreading and soaking through.
Hydrogen peroxide includes two oxygen molecules. It breaks down the ammonia on contact. That eliminates the urine odor completely. However, care should be taken not to allow children or pets near the liquid until it has dried.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an effective acid neutralizer. Sprinkling baking soda over the area neutralizes the acid and also takes away the stench of ammonia. For maximum effect, leave it for at least six hours or even overnight. The following day, your dog is unlikely to pee there again.
However, care should be taken not to allow your children or pets near the powder.
While it can be frustrating when your puppy makes an oopsie on the floor, do make sure to keep your dog well hydrated and immediately go to the vet if you notice your dog having accidents more often, especially if there is blood in the urine.
HOW DO YOU NEUTRALIZE DOG URINE?
If you need to clean up dog urine, baking soda naturally neutralizes dog urine. Sprinkle it liberally where the dog has been, and brush it in to the carpet, or into the cracks on a hardwood floor. Leave for around an hour at least, and then vacuum it all up along with any smell.
IS DOG URINE HARMFUL TO HUMANS?
The strong odor of dog urine can be irritating to eyes and throat.
WHAT IS THE BEST DOG URINE ODOR REMOVER?
There are many proprietary cleaners that are very good, but several effective methods to remove the smell of dog urine use ingredients that be found in your kitchen cupboard.
Watch this video for some more great tips:
