Are you a dog owner? Maybe you’ll recognize the struggle of having a puppy that isn’t house trained yet or caring for a senior dog who is no longer mobile enough to make it to the backyard in time. Either way, pet urine can be a hassle to deal with on carpets.
Have no fear, we’re here to present a number of solutions for urine stains and odors. Here is a list of the top carpet cleaners, specifically for pet urine. We’ll also give you some extra information to help you pick the solution that’s best for you.
Choosing the Best Carpet Cleaner for Pet Urine
Picking out a product to get urine out of your carpet? Consider some of these points:
Carpet Material
Not all carpets are made of the same material. Carpets can be made of polypropylene, polyester, wool, or nylon. Know from which type of material your carpet is made.
Keep In Mind
Carpet fibers can be seriously harmed with chemicals and bleaching agents that are too harsh. Some carpet cleaners are more mild, but rely on ingredients, such as enzymes, to remove stains.
Before you invest in a product, ensure it is appropriate to use on the kind of carpet that you have. If you don’t know the exact material of your carpet, you can try doing a “spot test” on an area that isn’t often seen. Use the product as directed and wait for it to dry before concluding whether or not it is safe.
Reaction Time
Carpet cleaner reaction time begins when the product first makes contact with the carpet and finishes when its washed off and dried.
If your carpet is placed in an area that a lot of people tend to walk over, you’ll need to keep in mind how long you will need to keep the area free from traffic. If you have kids, a busy home, or pets who need to roam around, this might be difficult.
Carpet cleaners usually need approximately five minutes of reaction time. Some will start working right away and can be removed in a few minutes. However, these might also be weaker, needing to be applied a few times.
Efficiency
When you select a product, efficiency is usually the first requirement. Some cleaners will need a lot of effort along with the product to remove stains.
Not only will this cost you time, but it might also cost you a lot of money since you’ll be running through product very quickly.
You need to be careful when cleaning urine out of carpets because overusing product can cause stains to soak further into the carpet, making the small even harder to get out.
A lot of big carpets contain a pad underneath them intended to protect the floor. The problem with these pads is that they are sponge-like, which makes them prone to soaking up fluids.
Remove Quickly
If you know that your carpet pad has come into contact with stains, it will be difficult to correct. It can also result in the growth of mold in your carpet due to the dark, damp and warm environment of the carpet pad. Mold could be a potential health risk for your family.
To steer clear of this kind of situation, make sure you follow instructions and don’t overuse your carpet cleaner. You can always repeat those steps if the stain isn’t fully removed.
Versatility
Pets seem to have endless creativity when it comes to where they go to the bathroom. Owning a product that can multitask on different surfaces will save you time and money.
Most carpet cleaners don’t come with harsh chemicals. This makes them generally okay to use on different surfaces. Of course, always make sure that a product is safe before using it.
Type
You can pick from a few different kinds of carpet cleaners. They have various application methods and will need slightly different cleaning methods.
Foam: These cleaners are ready to use and generally include an applicator that helps take the stain out. They will require a bit of elbow grease, since you’re required to work it into the stain. Some need a bit more waiting time after application.
Powder: This variety is easy to use and should be sprinkled onto the stain. You don’t need to scrub it and can vacuum the carpet after the waiting time is over. These won’t be as effective as other methods on stains, but they work for removing smells.
Spray: Spray cleaners are probably the most common kind of cleaner. They let you target small areas and can usually be used on upholstery like sofas. Sprays can soak into carpets easily to deal with stains, but they aren’t as convenient for large areas.
Shampoo: Shampoo cleaning is really only useful for cleaning very large areas. Most shampoo cleaners need special machines or equipment, but usually work very well.
Urine stains typically respond best to foam or spray cleaners, which are easy to use.
Quick Guide to Ingredients
Carpet cleaners have a number of different formulas, so it is important that you select one that will work for you. They contain various active ingredients, but most are either oxy-based or enzyme based. Both are gentle enough for carpets and offer ease of use.
Enzymes
Enzymes are the best at removing organic materials. That includes urine and feces. Enzymes contain good bacteria that can eat other bacteria, usually the harmful ones, and destroy them.
Using enzyme-based cleaners means you won’t need to clean the area with water afterwards. All you need to do is vacuum up that area once the product is completely dry. You can also use enzyme-based cleaners on non-fabric surfaces like floors, but also on upholstery and rugs.
Another benefit of using enzymes on pet urine is the fact that they are non-toxic, meaning they won’t harm the health of pets or humans.
Enzyme-based cleaners can take the form of a pre-diluted formula or a concentrate. Pre-diluted cleaners are labeled as enzyme-based most often, so these are probably your best bet.
Oxygen-Based Cleaners
Oxygen cleaners – or oxy-cleaners – are, as the name suggest, activated with oxygen. When they touch stains, they react with the surrounding air to cause bubbles. The bubbles formed by this reaction are able to dissolve and lift particles in the stain up. Then, they can be wiped away manually.
A number of oxy-cleaners also use hydrogen peroxide, which can bleach out old stains. The issue with peroxide is that it can also lighten surfaces if you aren’t careful
Warning
Hydrogen peroxide should be used with caution, following instructions carefully, as it can be corrosive to organic materials.
Some oxygen-based cleaners use a combination of powders like perborate or sodium percarbonate. Cleaners with these are efficient at disinfecting surfaces and are often used in the place of chemical disinfectants. As a plus, they are also good at taking out odors.
Oxygen-based cleaners sometimes take the form of foaming formulas, but can also come in spray and powder form.
Best Carpet Cleaners for Pet Urine
We took note of all the considerations above when putting together this list of the best cleaners.
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Rug Doctor Professional Pet Deep Cleaner
Best Carpet Shampoo for Pet Urine
If you need to deep clean some major surface area, you might want to consider this Rug Doctor carpet shampoo. It uses pro-enzymes that are powerful enough to work quickly and long term, meaning that they stay active up to 24 hours after application. The result is a professional-grade clean that has been recognized by customers everywhere.
This product, thanks to powerful enzymes, can also destroy odors to avoid your pets retracing their steps and trying to soil that area again.
The one disadvantage is that a carpet cleaning machine is needed to complement this cleaner. You can always rent one at a hardware store.
Pros
* Non-toxic and non-irritating formula.
* SpotBlock protects your carpet from dirt and stains.
* Perfect for big areas.
* Enzymes will keep working for up to 24 hours.
Cons
* Not great for spot cleaning.
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The Verdict
Removing pet urine from carpets can be an annoying and difficult task. Urine can turn into a nasty scent quickly, which can destroy carpets over time. This means you’ll need to act as soon as you detect urine stains.
It is important to think of the material in your carpet when choosing a carpet cleaner. We recommend products that are non-toxic to pets and humans, like those with oxygen products or enzymes.
Tired of minding accidents and stains on your carpet? What tips have you picked up over the years? Let us know in the comments!