Natural Ways to Remove Pet Urine

Even the best house-trained pet sometimes has an accident--especially young and elderly animals. If you’re going to share your home with a dog, cat, or other creature, you must be prepared to remove and clean pet urine from your home occasionally. The best method is to use natural techniques and products. This is cheaper, safer for your family and your pet, and more likely to remove odors, so your pet isn’t drawn to continue doing its business in the same spot. Many common kitchen products are among those best suited to remove pet urine from your home and furniture.

  1. Towel

    • Your first line of defense is to soak up as much of the urine as possible--especially if the animal urinated on carpet or upholstery. Use a white towel (or paper towels) to blot up as much liquid as possible.

    Dish Soap

    • Following the blotting up of the initial mess with towels, liquid dish soap and warm water can be used to clean the area where the pet urinated.

    Vinegar

    • After cleaning the area with soap, vinegar is often recommended as a rinse. Vinegar will cut the smell of urine and make it less likely your pet will smell its past transgression and find it acceptable to urinate in the same location again. Let the vinegar remain on the area long enough to soak in and reach layers where the urine might have penetrated.

    Baking Soda

    • Baking soda can be sprinkled over areas where pets have urinated. The baking soda should be allowed to remain at least two hours and then vacuumed up.

    Peroxide

    • Hydrogen peroxide will break down the urine, making it less likely that a permanent stain or odor will result. However, use peroxide with caution in areas that might discolor.

    Rubbing Alcohol

    • Rubbing alcohol will clean the area where your pet urinated, and it will disinfect as well. Again, be careful of using rubbing alcohol on furniture or upholstery that is likely to discolor.

    Borax

    • Borax can eliminate the odors of pet urine by attacking the bacteria in the urine that cause the smells and the stains. Sprinkle borax over the area and let it stay for at least half an hour, then vacuum or shampoo up.

    Enzymes

    • There are several products available from veterinarians and pet supply stores that contain live bacteria and enzymes that naturally break down and digest the stains and odors associated with pet urine. Many of these products will also naturally clean upholstery or carpet at the same time.

    Black Light

    • One of the most frustrating aspects of removing pet urine from a home is finding the hidden spots where you dog or cat has urinated. Turn off all lights and turn on the black light. The urine spots will glow so you will know where you need to clean.