Having a pet can bring joy and happiness to your home, but it also brings the occasional mess. any and every dog owner knows that cleaning up dog pee on wood floors (and carpets!) is an unfortunate task that often comes with having furry friends in the house.
With some knowledge of how to identify urine stains, clean them properly, prevent future accidents and choose the right cleaning products for your floor type you’ll be able to keep your hardwood or laminate looking beautiful without too much effort.
In this article – you’ll learn all this information plus tips on maintaining its finish and shine here so you can tackle any urine-related issues head-on – no matter how many times they come up!
Identifying Urine Stains on Wood Floors
Urine stains on wood floors can be typically identified by their color, location, and odor. Knowing how to recognize these signs can help you quickly identify and clean up any accidents your pet may have had.
Color of Urine Stains:
Fresh urine stains are usually a yellowish-brown color that will darken over time as the stain sets in. If the stain is not cleaned up right away, it may turn into a darker brown or black color depending on the type of flooring material.
Location of Urine Stains:
Urine stains tend to occur most often near doorways or other areas where pets frequently enter and exit the home. They also tend to accumulate in high-traffic areas such as hallways or living rooms where pets spend more time playing or lounging around. They can obviously happen at any point on the floor – but you’ll find that these are the most common locations.
Urine Smell & Odor:
The smell of urine is unmistakable and can easily be detected if there is an accident on your wood flooring. This strong ammonia-like odor will linger until it has been completely removed from the surface with cleaning products specifically designed for pet messes.
Once you’re confident that the mess you’re dealing with is in fact dog urine, then it’s time to clean it as quick as possible.
Cleaning Up Dog Pee on Wood Floors
As with all spills and stains – you’ll have a much easier time cleaning them if you do so right away before they dry and set in.
Removing Fresh Urine Spills:
Cleaning up fresh urine spills on wood floors is actually relatively easy.
First, use a cloth or paper towel to blot the area and absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Then, clean the area with a mild detergent and warm water. Avoid using too much water since this can cause damage to your floor’s finish.
After cleaning, dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Treating Old or Set-in Urine Stains:
If you have an old or set-in urine stain on your wood floor, it may require more aggressive methods for removal.
Sanding down the affected area is one option but should only be done if absolutely necessary since it can leave marks on your floor’s finish. Another option is to use an enzyme cleaner specifically designed for pet stains which will help break down any organic matter that has been absorbed into the wood fibers over time. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully when using these products and always test them in an inconspicuous spot first before applying them liberally across larger areas of your flooring surface.
Once you’ve removed any visible signs of urine from your wood floors, it’s important to disinfect the entire area to prevent bacteria from spreading further throughout your home environment.
Use a commercial-grade disinfectant spray (according to its specific directions) and allow it ample time (usually 15 minutes) before wiping away any excess residue with a damp cloth or sponge mop head attachment – never use abrasive scrubbing pads as they could scratch up delicate surfaces like hardwood floors.
Cleaning up dog pee on wood floors can be a difficult task, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s possible to effectively remove fresh spills and old stains.
Preventing Future Accidents on Wood Floors
Training your dog to go outside is the best way to prevent future accidents on wood floors.
Taking them outside regularly and investing solid time into quality training regularly is the absolute best way to avoid any messes in the house, as well as many other behavioural issues.
Training Your Dog To Go Outside
Again – the most effective way to prevent dog pee accidents on your wood floors is to train your dog to go outside when they need to go to the toilet.
It’s important that you set up regular times throughout the day for them to do their business so they learn when it’s appropriate and where it should take place.
You’ll want to reward them with treats each time they successfully complete their task so that they understand what behavior you’re expecting from them going forward.
Using Pet Deterrents And Repellents In Problem Areas
If teaching your pet new habits isn’t an option for some reason, then using pet deterrents and repellents in problem areas can be helpful for keeping them away from certain parts of your home – especially if there have been past incidents involving urine stains on wood floors in those spots before.
These products usually come in sprays, granules, or ultrasonic devices which emit either an unpleasant smell or sound whenever animals approach it – making sure that no more messes will occur again.
Installing Protective Coverings For High Traffic Areas
Installing protective coverings is another great way to protect against potential dog urine-related damage.
This could include placing mats or rugs over these surfaces, as well as using furniture coverings for maximum protection against any accidental spillage happening again.
Choosing the Right Cleaners for Wood Floors
When it comes to cleaning wood floors, natural cleaners are usually the best option to start with as they can be used to clean up spills and dirt without damaging the finish of your floor. With some baking soda, vinegar and warm water – you should have everything you need to clean up most urine spills.
Note: This method applies to fresh urine stains
- First, using gloves- soak up all of the dog pee with paper towels by blotting the paper towels onto the spill area until it is dry.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the urine area and let it sit on the floor overnight. This will soak up any urine that may have seeped into the floorboard cracks – as well as neutralize the urine odor.
- Vacuum the baking soda off the hardwood floor the following morning.
- Mix 1 cup of warm water with 1 cup of vinegar in a container with a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil to help disinfect and remove odors. Spray or sponge the solution onto the area and wipe away any remaining urine.
- Rinse the floor with clean water and a washcloth. Make sure to dry the wood floor with a towel as standing water can buckle and cause mold on your hardwood floor.
If you’re dealing with a set-in or particularly stubborn urine stain – you may need to go for a more ‘heavy-duty’ commercial cleaner.
Commercial cleaners designed specifically for wood floors are also available on the market but should be used sparingly since they often contain harsh chemicals that could damage your floor’s finish over time.
When using commercial products, make sure to read all instructions carefully before applying them to your flooring surface. Additionally, avoid using any type of abrasive cleaner like steel wool or scouring pads which could scratch or dull the finish of your wood floors.
Maintaining Your Wood Floor’s Finish and Shine
Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they require regular maintenance and care in order to keep their finish and shine.
Vacuuming and dust mopping the floor surface on a regular basis is essential for removing dirt particles that could scratch or dull its surface over time. Spot-cleaning spills immediately will also help prevent staining or discoloration of the floor’s finish.
Applying a wax or polyurethane coating every few months will help protect it from wear and tear caused by everyday use – and make cleaning up spills a lot easier. Waxing your wood floors should be done with caution as some products may contain harsh chemicals that can damage the wood’s finish if used incorrectly. For best results, use an approved product specifically designed for hardwood floors.
When applying wax, make sure to spread it evenly across the entire surface using a soft cloth in circular motions until all areas have been covered completely. Once finished, buff out any excess wax with another clean cloth before allowing it to dry completely overnight before walking on it again.
Polyurethane coatings provide extra protection against scratches and scuffs while also providing an additional layer of shine to your wood floor’s finish without having to apply multiple coats of wax each time you clean them up. Before applying polyurethane coating however, make sure that your floor has been thoroughly cleaned first as any residue left behind can cause streaks when applied over the top of them later on down the line which would ruin its overall look once dried up afterwards.
When caring for your wood floors, always remember that prevention is key. Clean up any dog pee, pet accidents, food spills and standing water as quickly as possible. Try not to drag furniture across them whenever possible as this could leave permanent scratches along its surface over time, even if you manage to get away with doing this just once or twice in between applications of either type of protective coating mentioned earlier.
FAQs:
How do you disinfect your wood floors after cleaning up dog urine?
By using a mix of vinegar, baking soda and essential oils such as tea tree or eucalyptus – you are applying a number of natural disinfecting agents to your wood floor that will neutralise dog pee.
Does dog pee soak into wood floors?
Yes, dog pee can soak into wood floors. It is important to clean up any messes quickly and thoroughly in order to prevent urine from seeping into the floorboards.
Can you get dog urine smell out of hardwood floors?
Yes, it is possible to get dog urine smell out of hardwood floors. By using the vinegar, baking soda and essential oil cleaner detailed in this article – you will be removing the dog urine smells from your floor and home.
Conclusion
Cleaning up dog pee on wood floors is a relatively simple task – made even simpler if you can identify the urine stains quickly and use the right cleaners for your specific type of flooring.
By making sure you clean up dog pee on your wood floors quickly and properly – you will be helping to ensure that your hardwood or laminate surfaces remain in top condition for years to come, and your home is clean and sanitary.
