Removing Pet Odor from Carpet and Rug

We adore our pets, but there’s no way to refute the idea that sometimes, they can be smelly! Anybody who’s tried to house train a puppy or had a sick or aging pet knows that accidents are inevitable. When they happen, you’ll need to know how to get rid of the resulting, offensive odors quickly and efficiently.

You might be a DIYer, a professional house cleaner, opening your own cleaning business, or just wondering whether you need professional assistance to make your home smell fresh. Either way, keep reading to learn how our Pros banish pet odors from rugs and carpets.

What Makes Pet Odor So Difficult to Remove?

Any smell that gets into an area rug or carpet can be challenging to remove, especially if whatever created the smell — urine and vomit are common culprits — has had time to set. But before we get into what you’ll need to remove those odors and how to do it, let’s dive into a related topic: why are pet odors so darn persistent?

It all comes down to chemistry. Pet urine can really stink up your carpet or rug. Dog urine smells like ammonia, and the same is true of cat urine. If you’ve ever cleaned with ammonia, you know what a powerful aroma it has. It’s important to be careful using ammonia to clean pet odors because it can actually have the opposite effect to what you want, since lingering smells may prompt your pets to soil the same spot again.

A contributing factor that can complicate the removal of pet odors is that rugs and carpets have fibers that can hold onto the stink even after you’ve cleaned it. If you have a carpet with a deep pile, you’ll have to be especially diligent to get rid of those smells.

Cleaning Products and Supplies You’ll Need to Remove Pet Odor

Depending upon your preferences, you may want to buy a product to get rid of pet odor or try a DIY version. Here are some of the materials and cleaning products you may want to have on hand.

You’ll notice this is a relatively small list of items. If you get to pet odors quickly, you’ll be able to banish them quickly. 

How to Get Pet Smell Out of Carpet

Before we get into some detailed methods, let’s walk through the basic steps to remove pet odors from rugs and carpets.

Step 1: If you’re dealing with a urine stain and the area is still wet, use paper towels or clean rags to soak up as much of the urine as you can.

Step 2: If possible, place another cloth or paper towel under the stain to avoid the urine seeping through to the floor underneath. This method is a must if you’re cleaning an area rug.

Step 3: Use your foot to apply pressure.

Step 4: Repeat these steps until the area is mostly dry.

Step 5: Rinse the area with cold water, then dry using the same method as above.

If you get to urine quickly, then this method should get rid of any potential odors.

Home Remedies for Removing Pet Odor from Carpet

There are lots of home remedies that you can employ to get rid of pet odors.

One of the most popular doesn’t even require any “whipping” because it’s a product you already have in your home. We’re talking about baking soda.

After you’ve cleaned up after your pet, sprinkling a little baking soda on the affected area can help you finish the job. Let the baking soda sit overnight, and then vacuum it to get rid of any remaining smells.

Homemade Enzyme Cleaner for Dog Urine

You might have seen bottles of enzyme cleaner at your favorite pet store or at the supermarket, but those things are expensive. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to get the benefits of enzymatic action without emptying your wallet.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 2 tsp baking soda

You’ll add the water and vinegar to a spray bottle, then gradually add the baking soda. Watch the video below to see the whole process.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Remove Pet Odor

Here’s your guide from our Pros to help you get rid of pet odors quickly.

How to Get Rid of Pet Odor in House

Pet odor can be more than just pee on your carpet. There are other odors to consider as well, from cat litter boxes to dog hair. Here are some steps to take if your house still smells like your pet even after you’ve cleaned the carpet.

Step 1: Sweep and vacuum thoroughly to remove as much pet hair as possible. Keep in mind that if you have a dog with an undercoat or any animal with long fur, you may need to make several passes and employ a lint brush to get everything.

Step 2: Spot-treat any areas where you can smell pet odors using the basic method we talked about above. Use an enzymatic cleaner or a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar, then use a paper towel or clean cloth to soak up the moisture.

Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda over any area that you treated and allow it to sit overnight, then vacuum it.

Step 4: If you have a cat, scoop the litter box every day. Older or incontinent cats may need to be bathed to remove any lingering smell.

Step 5: Dogs should be groomed and bathed regularly. Their fur can hold on to odors and regular grooming will minimize the amount of fur you need to deal with.

Step 6: After cleaning your carpet, you may want to consider using carpet shampoo as a final touch.

How to Remove Cat Urine Odor from Carpet

The process for removing cat urine odor from carpet is the same as the basic process we listed for removing odors from carpet. That said, cat urine is on another level in terms of smelling bad. Here are some pointers to help you.

• Get to the urine as quickly as possibly, ideally before it dries.
• If it is dry, use a damp cloth to wet the area, then a dry cloth or paper towel to soak up as much of the urine as possible.
• Use an enzymatic cleaner, either homemade or store-bought, to treat the area. Don’t rub it in since this may push the odor deeper into your rug or carpet.
• Sprinkle the area with baking soda and leave overnight.
• Vacuum up the baking soda.

Other solutions that may be helpful in lieu of enzymatic cleaner include a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water, or pouring hydrogen peroxide directly on the affected area.

How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell Outside

If your dogs do their business in your yard, then you may find that you can smell it, particularly if you’re experiencing hot and humid weather. Follow these steps to get rid of the smell.

Step 1: Identify areas where the odor of urine is strong. Dogs often prefer to use the same spot every day, so there may be only a few places you need to treat.

Step 2: Odors that have seeped into the ground can make grass turn yellow and die. Use an enzymatic cleaner that’s designed to be attached to your hose to saturate the ground and get rid of odors.

Step 3: If your dog has peed on a hard, non-porous surface, activated charcoal is an extremely effective way to remove the smell of urine. Keep in mind you’ll need to vacuum it after the fact.

Step 4: A DIY or store-bought cleaner can be effective in other areas, including porous surfaces. Make sure to saturate the area for the best results.

After you’ve removed odors, you may want to consider roping or fencing off a section of your yard to make future smells easier to track down and eliminate.

Best Enzyme Cleaner for Dog Urine

If you don’t want to DIY an enzyme cleaner, here’s what to look for in an enzyme cleaner at the store.

• Chemical compounds called proteases are the most effective at removing pet odors
• Spray bottles are useful because they allow for precise application of the cleaner
• Some people prefer a scented cleaner 
• Choose a cleaner with excellent online reviews

Some of the top-rated products on Amazon include Rocco & Roxie Supply Co Stain & Odor Eliminator and Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator.

FAQ About Removing Pet Odor 

Conclusion

Pet odors are no joke, but with the right cleaning products and advice from our Pros, you’ll be able to make your home (or your client’s home, if you’re a professional cleaner) smell fresh and clean all the time.