To get rid of dog pee smell, first blot fresh urine, then use an enzymatic cleaner (best for breaking down odors) or a homemade solution like equal parts vinegar and water to neutralize the ammonia, followed by baking soda to absorb lingering odors, letting it sit before vacuuming, always testing cleaners in a hidden spot first.
If a spot in your home smells like urine, your dog may conclude that it's OK to pee there again. Baking soda is a natural deodorant and can be used to remove stains and smells from carpet made of cotton, wool or synthetic fabric. Mix a solution of baking soda, vinegar and water and spray or dab it on the area.
Use a neutralizing agent directly on those spots (vinegar, baking soda, etc.). If a baseboard or lower wall urine stain is really persistent, you can try painting over it with odor sealing paint. Fill your house with fresh-smelling things.
If urine reached padding/subfloor/drywall: smell can persist indefinitely without replacement or professional remediation. Typical timelines: With professional deep cleaning (hot-water extraction + enzyme) and drying: weeks to months for odor to fade, sometimes requiring repeat treatments.
Step 2: Mix Your Magic Elixir
Time to whip up your pet-friendly cleaning solution! Grab a spray bottle and mix equal parts white vinegar and water. A cup of each should do the trick. Vinegar is like a superhero for tackling pet odours - powerful and natural.
Biocide Systems' Liquid Shocker™, can be used as the ultimate pet odor remover. Specially formulated for the deodorization of hard surfaces, this powerful solution is perfect for cleaning and deodorizing countertops, walls, floors, and more.
Enzyme-based cleaners are powerful tools for deep cleaning and odor removal in bathrooms. These cleaners contain specific enzymes that break down the molecules found in urine, including proteins and uric acid, effectively eliminating the source of the odor rather than just covering it up.
The most common mistake is under-treating the area. Urine spreads wider underneath than what you can see on the surface. So you might clean a small spot, while the affected area is actually much larger below.
Mix one part vinegar with one part water, spray on the affected area, and let it sit for 10 minutes before blotting it dry. Another effective method is baking soda. Sprinkle it over the urine spot and let it sit for 15 minutes. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odor.
Professionals also apply odor neutralizers. These neutralizers don't mask or cover up bad smells or create competing scents to “drown out” those unpleasant odors. Instead, they actually change or absorb the chemicals that create smells. Neutralizing those chemicals removes smells completely.
Certain smells, such as citrus, vinegar, essential oils, coffee, strong cleaning agents, and commercial pee sprays, can help deter dogs from urinating indoors.
When you breathe in these ammonia fumes, not only does it smell bad, but it can cause some severe problems as well. If your pet has urinated in a place with reduced ventilation such as a room or even in the house, it could trigger issues like asthma, pneumonia, and in some cases, even suffocation.
When getting rid of dog urine smell naturally, don't underestimate the power of simply hosing down the outside area with water. Water on its own works by diluting urine and washing it away. To take things up a notch, pet parents can also use baking soda to help remove lingering odors.
Mix water (½ cup), white distilled vinegar (2 tablespoons), and citrus fruit juice (20 drops) to make an excellent home remedy for dogs peeing on carpets. Put the solution into a clean spray bottle, shake thoroughly, and spray a liberal amount on the spot he loves to pee on or the entire carpet (must be clean).
“Enzymatic cleaners such as Rocco and Roxie or Angry Orange work well and are quicker and easier to use [than baking soda],” she says. Nature's Miracle Pet Stain and Odor Remover is also widely recommended by veterinary and cleaning professionals for tough pet messes.
That unpleasant stench lingers long after the liquid has been absorbed, and can last months unless treated properly. To effectively remove these offending odors, you'll want to make sure you're eliminating them, not just covering up the smell (as many products do).
With your dog's strong urine odor, it may seem like your lungs are burning, including your respiratory tract and nose. Prolonged exposure to the odor can also cause skin and eye irritations like skin burns, permanent eye damage, and even blindness!
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.
Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent.
Pet stains that were not fully removed before cleaning can also contribute to bad odours. Cleaning may temporarily mask the smell, but as the carpet dries, the odours can resurface. This is especially true if pet urine has penetrated deeply into the carpet fibres or padding, where it's harder to eliminate.
ZORBX Unscented Odor Eliminator Spray 128 Oz, 1 Gallon - Used in Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities - Advanced Trusted Odor Remover Formula - All-Purpose Deodorizer for Dog, Cat, Home, Carpet & Car.
Avoid bleach, sand, and vinegar.
How to Stop Dogs from Peeing in the House
Cold water is the best choice for removing urine stains. Using hot water can actually set the proteins in urine, making the stain more difficult to remove. For best results, rinse or soak the stained item in cold water as soon as possible before washing.