How to Remove Dog Urine Stains from Carpeting

By Dr. Kristie

If you have a dog, you know that sometimes “little accidents” can happen and sometimes they occur right on your carpeting. This can be a source of great frustration and heartbreak especially when your dog’s urine leaves a visible stain on your beautiful rug. Fortunately, there are a variety of effective ways to remove dog urine stains. Here are some general guidelines for removing dog urine stains:


Work quickly.

The faster you start the stain removal process, the less likely that the stain will become bonded to the fibers of your carpeting which will make stain removal more difficult.

Test stain removal products before using them.

Test any stain removal products on an area of your carpeting that doesn’t show before using it on the stain. You want to be sure the stain removal product doesn’t leave a stain of its own or otherwise damage your carpeting.

Try inexpensive home remedies first.

There’s no point in running out and buying an overpriced urine stain remover when there are simple, inexpensive solutions to remove dog urine stains right in your own cabinet.

Remove all of the urine odor.

If you leave some of the urine odor on your carpeting, your dog will have a tendency to mark that area again out of instinct.

Never rub, but always rinse.

Always blot the urine with a soft, clean towel. Never rub the area since this damage your carpeting. Always rinse the area with water to dilute the stain before beginning the urine stain removal process.


Here are some common household products that may remove dog urine stains from your carpeting:

Vinegar

Mix together a half and half solution of white vinegar. Use this after completing the blotting and rinsing process. After applying the diluted vinegar solution, blot several more times.

Peroxide

Dilute peroxide to a strength of around 4% with water. Put this solution into a spray bottle and spray the stained area. Allow it to set for four minutes before blotting. Be sure to do a patch test on a nonvisible portion of your carpeting before applying it to the stain.

Dishwashing detergent

Apply undiluted dishwashing detergent to a damp sponge and gently work it into the urine stain. Use a damp sponge and repeated blotting to remove the dishwashing detergent.


If the above methods don’t work, you may have to resort to buying professional strength products to remove the dog urine stain or have a professional carpet cleaner work his magic on the area. Removing dog urine stains from carpeting can generally be done safely at home with common household products and a little elbow grease.