Top 7 Best Carpet Cleaners for Pet Urine (stains & odor)

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Dealing with accidents is just another part of being a dog owner.

Despite all of the training that people do, dogs are bound to make mistakes every once in a while. They’re not capable of holding things in forever. If they don’t have access to their usual potty spot, the only other alternative is to go on the carpet.

Cleaning pet stains from the carpet

Urine stains are one of the worst messes to deal with.

The ammonia and organic matter in urine cause all kinds of destruction. If the mess is not dealt with promptly, your carpets are at risk for damage. Not only that, but that strong odor will only get worse over time. 

The longer you neglect to tackle the stain, the more that smell will waft throughout your home.

Luckily, there are some great products out there that are specifically formulated to getting rid of stains and smells.

The best carpet cleaners for old pet urine are capable of neutralizing all of those odor-causing microorganisms to eliminate any signs of the mess. Plus, they’ll keep your carpet looking good as new.

Pet carpet cleaners are not like normal cleaning solutions.

Standard cleaning products don’t do much to tackle the root cause of the stain and smell. Thus, they’ll only temporarily mask the issue. To truly get rid of that mess, you need a product that’s made for pet urine.

Here’s a collection of carpet cleaning solutions that’ll get the job done.

8 of the Best Carpet Cleaner Solutions for Pet Urine Stains

1. Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

Whether you’re dealing with urine, diarrhea, or vomit, this powerful cleaning solution from Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. has you covered. It’s a professional-strength cleaner that manages to do the work of many different products. 

At its core, this option is an enzymatic cleaner. It works to completely dissolve all organic matter to leave your carpets in good condition. However, it also acts as a surfactant stain remover to make picking up heavy messes a breeze.

When it comes to scent, this cleaner does have a light fragrance. It’s not overpowering and dissipates relatively quickly.


2. Hoover PetPlus Pet Stain & Odor Remover Solution Formula

Hoover PetPlus Pet Stain & Odor Remover Solution Formula

Hoover is one of the most trusted vacuum brands. This enzymatic cleaner is great for picking up all types of organic messes and works well with deep carpet cleaning machines. 

Though, the solution itself is effective enough to remove stains and odors on its own. It’s approved for both carpets and furniture upholstery. The formula is very strong. However, it’s septic safe and won’t cause any damage to your carpets.

The scent is rather subdued. It has a fresh linen fragrance to make your home smell clean.


3. Earth Rated Unscented Stain & Odor Remover

Earth Rated Unscented Stain & Odor Remover, 32-oz bottle

If you’re looking for a gentle solution that’s safe and non-toxic, this option from Earth Rated is a good choice. 

It doesn’t have any harsh chemicals or strong smells. Plus, it’s certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute. So, you can rest easy knowing that it won’t cause any damage. You can even use it on upholstery, pillows, and most fabrics.

When it comes to cleaning power, this solution does well across the board. It’s an enzymatic solution that eliminates bacteria and organic matter. After soaking for up to 10 minutes, your carpets should be as good as new.


4. TriNova Pet Stain & Odor Remover

TriNova Pet Stain & Odor Remover, 32-oz spray bottle

From TriNova is this plant-powered cleaning solution. It has a blend of natural enzymes to take care of stains and smells in no time. 

The great thing about this particular product is that it’s completely safe to use. There are no chemicals in it at all. The only ingredients are natural enzymes, healthy bacteria, and some bamboo extract. To provide a light and fresh smell, mint essential oils are used as well.

Overall, the carpet cleaner is a great choice for anyone who wants to clean messes up while keeping the home safe for pets and kids.


5. Nature’s Miracle Oxy Pet Stain & Odor Remover Fresh Scent

Nature's Miracle Oxy Pet Stain & Odor Remover Fresh Scent, 32-oz bottle

The pet stain remover from Nature’s Miracle uses the power of oxygen to lift stains. The ingredient list is very limited. It only has oxygen concentrate, water, and fragrance. Thus, it’s safe to use in your home. 

When you apply the solution to a urine stain, it will immediately get to work lifting that stain up. It also doubles as an odor neutralizer, treating the affected area in one step.

The carpet cleaner uses oxygen to penetrate deep into the stain. Whether the urine is fresh or completely dry, this product will help you get rid of it.


6. Bissell Pet Power Shot Oxy Carpet & Rug Stain Remover

Bissell Pet Power Shot Oxy Carpet & Rug Stain Remover, 14-oz bottle

The Bissel Power Shot stain remover is a unique product. It’s a pressured cleaner that’s designed to provide quick results. You can use it to clean up urine, mud, feces, and so much more. 

When you notice the accident, all you have to do is saturate the area with the solution. Thanks to the pressurized bottle, a little goes a long way. The carpet cleaner uses oxygen to lift stains and neutralize odors.

After everything is said and done, there will be no signs that an accident ever happened.


7. Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover Spray

Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover Spray

Another great product from Nature’s Miracle is this enzymatic carpet cleaner. It can be used on a wide variety of surfaces. In addition to carpets, you can use it to clean up messes from hardwood floors, upholstery, and many different kinds of fabrics. 

The blend of enzymes works quickly to dissolve all signs of the mess. It removes any lasting odors, which can help prevent your dog from marking that spot in the future. The solution has a light citrus fragrance as well. It smells great without being over the top.


8. Stuart Pet Supply Co. Professional Strength Enzymatic Cleaner for Dog and Cat Urine

Stuart Pet Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Odor Eliminator

The professional-strength cleaner from Stuart Pet Supply Co. can serve you well for many cleanup tasks. It’s an all-purpose cleaner that you can use on your carpets, smooth floors, kennels, and more. 

The cleaner is an enzymatic formula. So, it effectively dissolves the organic compounds in the urine. Plus, it makes those strong odors undetectable. For your peace of mind, the carpet cleaner is completely safe to use around pets and kids.

The only synthetic ingredients are the fragrance and nonionic surfactant, which helps to lift the stain.


Reasons Why Your Dog May Be Having Accidents

Accidents on the carpet are bound to happen at some point in your dog’s life. Understanding why your dog is having these accidents can help you put a stop it.

Typical House Training

It’s very common for young puppies to make messes on the carpet.

They’re still learning the ropes and may not have made that distinction between the outdoor potty space and inside the house.

Just be patient and keep up with your training. It takes time for puppies to learn, so don’t expect things to go off without a hitch straight off the bat.

Over time, the frequency of accidents should decrease.

Territorial Behavior

Canines often use urination to mark their territory. Usually, marking is not a problem in single-pet homes. However, issues can pop up the moment you introduce a new dog into your family.

Older dogs often see the new pup as a threat and will urinate on the carpet to show them that the home is theirs.

To stave off this behavior, you need to make sure that your dog is getting enough affection. Show them some loving and work on strengthening the bond with your new pup.

Anxiety and Fear

If you’ve ever come home to wet urine stains, your dog might have had an accident due to anxiety or stress.

Those emotions can have a big effect on dogs and make it harder for them to hold their bladders.

The same goes for fear. If your dog gets scared suddenly, they could have an accident to show that they submit. In this case, you need to make sure that you’re approaching your pup gently.

Happiness

Accidents can happen when your dog is on the opposite side of the emotional spectrum as well.

Pure joy and overexcitement can lead to wriggling, accidental urination, and uncontrollable running.

Your dog is so excited to see you that they just lose control of his or her body. Overexcitement issues can be trickier to deal with. You may need to seek behavioral training to teach your dog to calm themselves.

Medical Issues

In the worst-case scenario, accidental urination can be caused by underlying medical problems.

Issues with your dog’s kidney or bladder can be the culprit. Or, they could be suffering from a urinary tract infection or diabetes.

Whatever the case may be, it’s important to seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis.

What Kinds of Carpet Cleaners are Good for Pet Urine?

When you’re searching for the best carpet cleaners for old pet urine, you’ll see many different kinds of solutions available.

They all work to get rid of stains and smells differently. So, it’s a good idea to familiarize with your options and learn more about how they work.

Disinfectant Cleaners

One of the most common types of products you’ll find on the market is disinfectants. Basically, these solutions kill bacteria to prevent it from spreading.

They may also get rid of other microorganisms. You can find chemical-based disinfectants or natural alternatives that use ingredients like vinegar and baking soda.

Disinfectant cleaners do a good job of sanitizing your carpet. However, they’re not always 100 percent effective.

Many types of bacteria are resistant to disinfectants, so you might want to combine these cleaners with other options.

Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners are often the go-to for pet owners because they’re considered to be the safest and most effective option.

These cleaners contain natural enzymes that are produced by living organisms.

They’re produced by good bacteria. Contrary to popular belief, enzymes are not living organisms. They’re simply a byproduct of living organisms. So, what do enzymes do?

Well, they’re the catalyst that causes chemical reactions. When they’re used in cleaners, they help to break down the chemical compounds in urine.

For this reason, enzymatic cleaners are fully capable of killing bacteria and neutralizing odors. They eat up the molecules that cause stains and odors to leave your carpet looking and smelling fresh.

Stain Removers

Stain removers can be broken up into a few categories.

The first type of stain remover is one that digests the molecules causing the stain. Essentially, they’re enzymatic cleaners. The two other types of stain removers are surfactants and emulsifiers.

The former causes the stain molecules to hold onto more water while the latter makes the molecules easier to remove.

The whole purpose of a stain remover is to lift the mess out of the carpet. Unless it’s an enzymatic cleaner, the stain remover will not dissolve the stain.

You must pick it up with a cloth and dispose of it appropriately.

Deodorizers

Finally, there are deodorizers.

Also called odor neutralizers, these cleaners work to change the chemical composition of the urine.

For example, the signature ammonia smell that emanates from old urine stains can be quickly neutralized with an appropriate deodorizer.

Ammonia is an alkaline substance. To get rid of the smells, odor neutralizers may contain acidic ingredients. This changes the chemical composition of the ammonia to remove the smell.

Make sure that you get a real odor neutralizer. Don’t make the mistake of getting a product that only masks the smell.

These “cleaners” have a high concentration of fragrance. They’ll cover up the smell for a bit, but they won’t get rid of it completely.

Finding the Best Carpet Cleaner for Old Pet Urine Stains

In addition to choosing the right type of cleaner, you need to consider other aspects of the product to make sure that it works for your needs.

Cleaning Time

Cleaning time refers to how long it takes for the solution to work its magic.

Some cleaners start to get rid of the stain and smell in only minutes. Others require you to wait for up to 30 minutes before you see any noticeable results.

Fast-acting solutions can be beneficial. They can help you minimize the effects of the accidents quickly.

Fragrance

It doesn’t hurt to get a solution that has some fragrance. However, you need to make sure that the fragrance isn’t the main cleaning component.

It’s also a good idea to keep things light. Strong scents don’t mix very well with urine odors!

Safety

Carpet cleaning products can contain a wide variety of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are gentler than others.

If you have a young puppy or small kids in your home, you might want to stick with gentler options. All-natural cleaners are environmentally friendly and don’t have a strong chemical smell.

Also, it’s important to see how safe a cleaner is for your carpets. Heavy-duty products might cause more damage to delicate carpet fibers.

How to Deal with Pet Urine Stains Effectively

When it comes to cleaning up accidents, timing and proper technique are key. Dog urine is very easy to spread and push further into your carpet fibers.

To avoid lasting smells and an unsightly appearance, you need to address the mess quickly.

If the accident happened fairly recently, you can blot the mess up with paper towels or newspapers.

Before you do that, spray some water onto the area to dilute the urine. You can also use a standard stain remover.

After diluting the mess, apply multiple layers of paper towel and apply pressure. Switch out the paper towel with a fresh one and keep repeating the process until you can’t absorb any more urine.

Never rub the mess back and forth.

This will only spread it around. You must soak up the urine through blotting.

Once you have absorbed everything that you can, apply an enzymatic cleaner or disinfectant. Let it soak according to the directions and blot it up. You can then apply a deodorizer.

Dry Urine Stains

If you have a dry urine stain, you’ll need to perform a few extra steps. Dry urine is notoriously difficult to get rid of. The organic matter has had a chance to soak into the carpet fiber and dry up, resulting in a stiff texture.

The first thing you should do is rehydrate the stain. This can be done with water. However, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner.

Let the solution soak. As it soaks, the enzymes will work to neutralize the stain. You can then blot the mess up or use a carpet cleaner to make your floors look like new.

Wrap Up

While urine stains might not seem like a huge deal, it’s important to take care of stains as quickly as possible.

The best carpet cleaner for old pet urine stains will keep your home germ-free. They’re capable of removing all signs of the accident and making your home feel fresh again.

Also Read: Best Chew Proof Dog Beds

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