Things You'll Need
- Vinegar
- Shop vac (optional)
- Towels/rags
- Steam cleaner (optional)
Instructions
Suck up all excess liquid with the shop vac. If you do not have a shop vac, soak up as much as you can with dry towels or rags.
Vacuum at least 24 inches around the spot to make sure you pick up any hair or dirt that will make cleanup more difficult or clog a steam cleaner. Even if you are not going to use a carpet cleaner (you can rent Rug Doctors at most grocery stores), you should vacuum a spot wider than the offending spot. If you are using a standard vacuum, be careful not to go over the wet spot.
Pour household vinegar on the offending spot (use as much as you need to cover the mess). Allow the vinegar to soak in for 10 minutes. You can use any brand of white vinegar. Fill the carpet cleaner with hot water and, if desired, your favorite carpet cleaner. Go over the spot with the carpet cleaner. If you do not have a steam cleaner, soak up the vinegar with towels. Standing on the towels allows them to soak up more liquid than just patting the spot.
Clean the steam cleaner out and fill it with plain hot water. Go over the spot with the clean water. Allow the spot to dry. If you have the air conditioning on, turn it off to allow the heat and humidity to build up in the house. The urine smell is much stronger when it is warm and humid in the house.
Sniff the air. If you smell urine, repeat Steps 3 and 4. Continue until you cannot smell urine. Depending on the size of the spot and how soon you found the mess, you may get it cleaned up with one try or it may take three or four tries to get all the smell out.
Sprinkle your favorite rug freshener (if desired) over the rug and vacuum the rug only after you have determined that there is no urine smell left.