“I often clean with a microfiber dust mop, dampening it with warm water and vinegar in a spray bottle. In addition, the vinegar acts like an odor eliminator so I have no doggie smells, especially after they have gotten wet on their daily walks. I installed my laminate flooring in 2006, and it still looks great.”
Laminate flooring stands up against scratches and stains, making it great for active pets. It's also easy to maintain for most homeowners, putting it near the top when it comes to the best flooring for dogs.
Unless you are a quick draw on the mop; dog urine will damage laminate flooring, real wood flooring, engineered wood and tile grout. Unfortunately with a lot of flooring the pee will be absorbed into the floor itself or underneath and this is what can make the issue very difficult and expensive.
Avoid Using Too Much Soap
Soap only lifts dirt and oil into water, making them suspend in water. Therefore, the more soap you use, the more your mop gets saturated with dirt. So, if you do not remove all the soapy water from the floor, the dirt remains, forming streaks on the floor.
The best way to clean laminate floors is to use products made especially for them. If you don't have laminate floor cleaner, you can use a teaspoon of unscented clear dish soap in a gallon of water. A teaspoon of baby shampoo in a gallon of water will also work. Be careful not to soak the floors.
What not to use to clean laminate floors? It's important to steer clear of harsh tools and abrasive cleaners, such as bleach and ammonia, which can cause irreversible damage even if heavily diluted. You'll also want to skip acetone and nail polish remover, even if you think it could get rid of a stain.
How often should you mop if you have a dog? The frequency of mopping when you own a dog is also individual. Generally, you should mop 2-3 times a week to ensure maximum cleanliness of your floors, or whenever your furry friend brings in a little more dirt or mud.
If you're cleaning floors or other areas pets use, keep them out of the room while you're mopping floors or wiping down surfaces. If using chemicals, rinse the area with clean water afterwards. Don't let them back into the room until everything is dry.
Vinegar. Just like citrus, dogs cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It seems that a dog's heightened sense of smell is not keen on acidic smells, vinegar being another very acidic substance. It is worth noting that dogs are more repelled by the smell of vinegar than they are by lemons and oranges.
Spray the area lightly with warm vinegar and watch it foam. The same acid-base reaction that makes baking soda and vinegar great at cleaning drains also helps dissolve pet stains and lift them from the subfloor. Meanwhile, the vinegar neutralizes the scent that draws pets back to the spot.
Never use any cleaning product not designed for laminate flooring. For tough stains, a 5-1 mixture of baking soda can provide powerful cleaning. Mix 1 part baking soda to 5 parts warm water, and stir. Apply the mixture directly to the stained area, and allow to the solution to sit for 10 minutes.
As with all surfaces, first blot up all urine you can. Next blot the stain with an all-purpose cleaner then wipe. Is the smell lingering? HowToCleanStuff recommends scrubbing the stain with a mixture of a cup of vinegar, two teaspoons of dishwashing soap (without bleach) and a gallon of water.
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.
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.
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.
Apply a heavy concentrated solution of floor soap and hot tap water. After soaking, scrub up dirt with your motorized scrubbing tool. Remove dirt-filled water with wet vacuum or mop. Mop floor again with fresh hot tap water to rinse residual soil and soap.
Pet owners should clean carpets by vacuuming one to two times a week to keep up on loose pet hair, dander, and tracked dirt. Pet owners seeking a deeper carpet clean should shampoo carpet three to four times per year.
If you frequently take your dog hiking, for example, you may need to check and wash their paws after every trip to the trails. On the other hand, a pooch who spends most of their time indoors and just goes on light neighborhood walks might only need a cleaning when the weather is bad and their paws get dirty or wet.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle or bucket. Spray or lightly pour the solution on your floors, distributing it evenly with a mop. Mop away any excess solution and let dry.
Susceptible to liquid damage: Laminate floors are sensitive to moisture. Oversaturation of any liquid, not just water, can cause the planks to buckle, stain and break down if left untreated.