There are a number of different household products that can be used to neutralize dog urine smell. Baking soda, vinegar, and enzymatic cleaners are all effective at removing the odor. In some cases, you may want to avoid steam cleaning fabrics, as it can set the stain and make it more difficult to remove.
Neutralize the smell Then you're going to want to douse the spot with an enzymatic cleaner or simply make your own cleaning solution by combining (white or apple cider) vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the dog pee, offsetting its odor.
There are four natural options for removing pet urine: cleaning with vinegar and baking soda, use a solution of vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap, create a vodka-based solution, or an enzymatic remover with essential oils.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Both will help neutralize the bacteria in the urine, but will only work to absorb odor after you've cleaned up Fido's initial mess. For carpet, mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of warm water, then add in 2 teaspoons of baking soda for an odor-neutralizing spray.
Likely the most effective DIY pet odor remedy and the one we want to share with you is a Baking Soda – White Vinegar Spray. Put two equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and add 2-4 tablespoons of baking soda. (Note: be sure it's baking soda and not baking powder.)
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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).
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.
Hydrogen peroxide in the range of 2-4% destroys odor causing bacteria. Surfactants allow deep penetration into thick soft surfaces like mattresses, upholstery, and carpet. Hydrogen peroxide helps safely remove stains from soft surfaces.
Fully mix one-part hydrogen peroxide and one-part Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area with the mixture. Let the solution sit on the stain for one minute. Begin scrubbing, making sure to work bristle brushes deep into the carpet or rug to remove any waste that had previously soaked into the fibers.
DIY Pet Urine Remover Spray: -2 cups white distilled vinegar (can substitute for cider vinegar), -2 cups of lukewarm water, -4 generous tablespoons of baking soda, -Spray bottle, -1/2 teaspoon Dawn liquid dish soap.
Instructions: Combine two parts baking soda with one part vinegar to create a paste. Add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, if desired. Rub on urine stains or other messes and let sit for a few minutes.
Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar neutralizes ammonia, which is one of the components of dog and (especially) cat pee, while baking soda is a good all-purpose deodorizer, and also neutralizes uric acid (another of the components of pet urine).
Besides being nontoxic, both vinegar and baking soda can be effective at lifting urine and neutralizing odors before they have a chance to set in. Three percent hydrogen peroxide is also safe for pets and carpets, while being tough on stains.
Urinary tract infections, cystitis (bladder inflammation), bladder stones, kidney disease, or arthritis or age-related incontinence could all be causes of house soiling in dogs. In addition, pets with diarrhea or other intestinal illnesses may not be able to make it outside fast enough.
Urine stains contain organic enzymes that are difficult to remove completely with traditional cleaning methods. So, while vinegar may give you some odor relief, it will only solve the problem for a couple of hours tops. Don't mess around and get yourself an enzyme cleaner instead.
Hydrogen peroxide is better than white vinegar for killing those odor-causing bacteria, but you don't want to use it on colored carpets.
One way to combat this issue is to make a mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap. Once the mixture has been made, simply pour it over the affected area. Let the mixture sit for thirty minutes so that it can start to break down the odor-causing particles in the carpet.
Start by mixing white vinegar with water (undiluted vinegar can damage carpet fibers). Soak a rag in the solution or pour a small amount directly onto the dried urine spot. Allow the solution to sit for 2-5 minutes to ensure it soaks into the fibers. You may even see wetness on the rug's backing, and that's ok.
It's important to know that the uric acid that gives urine it's ammonia-like smell is harder to dissolve in colder water at a lower pH, like that provided by vinegar, but is easier to dissolve in warmer water at a higher pH like that provided by baking soda.
Some of the most effective household cleaners aren't meant to be mixed. You probably already know never to combine harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia (or really, bleach and anything). But common pantry essentials that are often used for cleaning — like baking soda and vinegar — shouldn't be mixed either.
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, apply the solution to the urine stain, then leave it for about 20 minutes, and blot it up with a clean, dry cloth.
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!
Hospitals, nursing homes, health care clinics, and other facilities have relied on ZORBX® as the guaranteed odor remover for urine, bile, human waste and other body fluids.
Add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is my favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into the water and stir. Then funnel the water into your spray bottle.