Dog urine is typically acidic, which is why it can break down the finish of a hardwood floor's surface; especially if the urine is allowed to dry up. It might leave a stain on the surface, make it lose its shine and cause discoloration.
Waterproof rug pads are your best line of defense against pet urine on area rugs. They provide a strong barrier that will prevent your dog's accident from seeping into your hardwood floors. This prevents the need for time-consuming refinishing required to remove pet stains from wooden flooring.
Dog urine can cause damage to your hardwood flooring, whether it is sealed or unsealed. If it leaks down into the subfloor, then it can cause even more damage and cause the subfloor to break down, which is never good.
The Best Floors for Dogs that Pee Often
Tile or LifeProof laminate are two of the top contenders. Vinyl plank flooring has come a long way and can look just like hardwood. Plus it's waterproof and simple to wipe down if there are any accidents.
Unlike water stains, pet stains leave a blackish green color. Another way to tell if your hardwood floor has pet damage is by the color of the stain. Typical water damage leaves a grayish stain, but pet stains leave a distinct blackish green color. If the urine stains are real heavy, this color will really stand out.
Hydrogen peroxide (3%) mixed with water is often the cheapest and most effective solution for animal urine cleaning. Simply moisten the rag or soft absorbent cloth like felt and apply to the spot. Allow the rag to sit \for few hours to thoroughly remove the urine stain and odor from the hardwood floors.
Many (but not all) dogs hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus smells like citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even bergamot can repel some dogs from an area. You can use these smells in scented candles or sprays to see if it keeps your dog away from an area where you don't want them peeing.
Deodorizing the Area
Apply a 1:1 solution of warm water and vinegar using a cloth towel. Wring the towel thoroughly to avoid adding excess liquid to the floor. Wipe the area gently, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then blot it dry. The vinegar should remove odors as it evaporates.
Don't use vinegar or baking soda.
Many DIY home cleaning solutions involve the use of vinegar or baking soda, but these are, in fact, the worst things you can apply to your wood floors. They actually damage and dull the polyurethane, which can irreparably ruin them.
Not only will a vinegar and water solution eliminate urine odor if your dog has already peed on the rug, but it will also deter them from urinating on the same carpet again. The acidic smell of vinegar is known to repel dogs from peeing on area rugs as they do not like the smell of vinegar.
Keep their routine and environment as consistent as possible and advocate for them in situations that might spark the behavior. For example, if your dog urinates when strangers bend over and greet them, politely ask strangers to keep their distance and toss a treat to your pup instead.
Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel. Some experts advise using a more diluted formulation of 1/2-cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
Do mop a wood floor with a damp mop or cloth. String mops are less common these days, and that's not a bad thing for cleaning wood floors. They can be tough to evenly wring out and use. Microfiber cloths are great for using with wood flooring.
Oil Based Polyurethane Dry times
For oil-based polyurethane, it can take up to 24-48 hours for the finish to dry and up to 72 hours for the fumes to dissipate completely. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 72 hours after applying an oil-based polyurethane finish.
Dog urine is typically acidic, which is why it can break down the finish of a hardwood floor's surface; especially if the urine is allowed to dry up. It might leave a stain on the surface, make it lose its shine and cause discoloration.
Traditional household cleaning products such as vinegar, baking soda, soap, and the like seem to work at first because they eliminate some of the components of your pet's urine. White vinegar in particular is highly alkaline, which means it can act as a deodorizer for spaces marked with dogs' urine.
Hydrogen peroxide works best for floors and carpets. The product is more oxidizing; therefore, it removes the ammonia smell from the urine. Trisodium phosphate is essential in removing bacteria and pee stains. Scrub the stained area with strong Trisodium phosphate.
Laminate, tile and hardwood floors look great, and they're easy to keep clean, but your dog's paws aren't designed to walk on such smooth hard surfaces. And that can lead to slipping, sliding and falling – and potentially serious injury.
' The answer is yes, hardwood flooring is ideal for pets. The word 'pet' is a very general term so, here we are talking about cats and dogs; animals that will be walking on your hardwood floor. There are many different types of hardwood floors and some are more durable and hard wearing than others.
Of course, any hardwood floor is a better surface for pet-friendly homes than carpet. All the allergens such as dust, mold and animal dander that can get buried in a carpet can be easily swept away on a hardwood floor.
You can do that with dish soap, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a clean rag. Use a small bowl to mix a bit of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Soak the mixture and apply it to the pee stain using a rag. Keep it on the stain for at least 15 minutes so the products have enough time to work their magic.
But allowing the urine to sit and decompose on the spot will cause it to become increasingly alkaline and corrosive, to the extent that it burns through the finish and into the wood.
How long does dog pee smell last? Left untreated, urine takes up to five years to off-gas on it's own. The longer dog pee or cat urine sits in a carpet the worse the problem becomes.