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.
Pee-pee pads will work on any type of floor as long as your dog is trained to use them. Area rugs with a rubber backings can provide a moderate amount of protection, but wash them or replace them frequently.
Dog urine is typically acidic, which is why it can break down the finish of a hardwood floor's surface; especially if the urine is allowed to dry up. It might leave a stain on the surface, make it lose its shine and cause discoloration.
Waterproof rug pads are your best line of defense against pet urine on area rugs. They provide a strong barrier that will prevent your dog's accident from seeping into your hardwood floors. This prevents the need for time-consuming refinishing required to remove pet stains from wooden flooring.
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.
Many (but not all) dogs hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus smells like citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even bergamot can repel some dogs from an area. You can use these smells in scented candles or sprays to see if it keeps your dog away from an area where you don't want them peeing.
Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the dog pee, offsetting its odor. Vinegar is pet safe, effective, cheap, and eco friendly. Let the vinegar solution sit for 3-5 minutes or carefully follow the instructions on the cleaning product's label.
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.
WHITE VINEGAR AND GRAPEFRUIT OIL
Mix one cup of vinegar into a warm water-filled bucket and the add some drops of grapefruit oil to the solution to get rid of the odor. Scrub the floor with this safe cleaning solution, concentrating on the most prominent spots. As you scrub, the odor and stains should be disappearing.
Vinyl is a favorite flooring option for kitchens and bathrooms and also makes great flooring for dogs that pee, as it's very resistant to liquids and easy to clean.
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.
Use polyurethane as a top coat.
Other than installing actual waterproof flooring, this is the most effective way of protecting the laminate from water damage. Even if this won't take care of the gaps between the planks, a polyurethane top coats will protect the floorboards.
Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery. The heat will permanently set the stain and the odor by bonding the protein into any man-made fibers. Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar.
DON'T use a steam cleaner, whatever you do. The heat can actually bond the proteins in the urine or other pet waste to the fibres of your carpet or floor — making the stain and smell next to impossible to remove.
Window cleaner is a surprisingly effective pet urine cleaner
By using an ammonia based cleaning spray, such as Windex, we are able to disinfect the impacted area and neutralize much of the ammonia and urea salts.
Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel. Some experts advise using a more diluted formulation of 1/2-cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
Since dogs don't like to do their business in their favorite hangout spots, you can simply spend more time in the areas that they use as a bathroom. By doing this, your dog might use that space as another lounging spot and avoid urinating in it. In addition, you can try placing your dog's toys or bed in these rooms.
Vinegar Cleaning Solution– Add one part white vinegar to one part water. Urine smells like ammonia, and this is neutralized with white vinegar. After blotting the area dry, pour the vinegar solution on the affected area, and let the solution soak for 10 minutes to reach the deepest fibers in the rug.
Vinegar is an excellent urine stain remover; it breaks down the uric acid in urine and makes the stain easier to remove. When the cycle is complete, run the load again (this time adding detergent) and wash at the hottest water temperature recommended for the fabric.
How long does dog pee smell last? Left untreated, urine takes up to five years to off-gas on it's own. The longer dog pee or cat urine sits in a carpet the worse the problem becomes.
Hydrogen peroxide works best for floors and carpets. The product is more oxidizing; therefore, it removes the ammonia smell from the urine. Trisodium phosphate is essential in removing bacteria and pee stains. Scrub the stained area with strong Trisodium phosphate.
While laminate flooring has many strong points, its most significant downside is its poor resistence to water. Laminate flooring can tolerate some water on top surface but it should not be allowed to pool and remain for long. Otherwise, the water may seep below and affect the sensitive core layer.