How to Wash Out Dog Urine

If you're a dog owner, you know that eventually every dog can have an accident inside the house. Once that happens, act quickly to prevent the stain from setting. Once the stain sets, it can be much more difficult to not only remove the stain, but remove the smell that's left behind. When removing a stain, use products and cleaning methods designed for the carpet and fabric you are cleaning, and always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for those products.

Things You'll Need

  • Rag
  • Paper towels
  • Shop vacuum
  • Enzymatic pet cleaner
  • Laundry stain remover/pretreatment
  • Laundry detergent
Show More

Instructions

  1. Carpet

    • 1

      Soak up as much of the urine as possible. Lay rags or paper towels over the area that has been urinated on and press down to absorb the urine.

    • 2

      Rinse away as much urine as possible. Saturate the carpet with water. Lay a towel or rags over the area and blot to remove moisture. Or use a shop vacuum to suck up the water and urine.

    • 3

      Spray an enzymatic pet cleaner on the pet stain. Allow it to work into the stain for 30 minutes.

    • 4

      Rub the stain with a clean cloth. If needed, apply more enzymatic pet cleaner and allow it to work into the stain. Continue the process until the stain is removed.

    Fabrics

    • 5

      Pretreat stains that have set into fabric or clothes. Spray a pretreatment laundry stain remover on the stain. Allow it to soak overnight. Alternatively, fill a bucket, sink or bathtub with the hottest water the fabric will allow. Add one tbsp. laundry detergent per gallon of water. Place the fabric in the water and allow it to soak overnight.

    • 6

      Launder in the washing machine following the fabric care instructions for water temperature and cycle. Add laundry soap and one pound of baking soda. The baking soda will help neutralize the urine odor.

      Remove the clothing or fabric once the cycle is complete.

    • 7

      Examine the stained item. If the stain is gone, dry following the fabric care instructions. If the stain is still present, spray an enzymatic pet cleaner on the fabric. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and launder the garment again. Repeat as needed until the stain is removed.