What If My Floor Is Untreated
If your hardwood floor has little to no staining or treatment, you can always try the above methods. However, depending on how long the urine has been there, you might have to use a sander to get rid of the urine smell. That is the worst-case scenario. A sander will remove a thin layer of the untreated wood that the cat has urinated on.
Usually, sanding wood requires some know-how, and many people feel better reaching out to professionals to have their floor sanded. But this is the last resort option. Definitely try cleaning the area first before you start sanding away at your floors!
Hand Scrapers To The Rescue
Sometimes, the damage is so big that even tons of sandpaper cant handle it. In that case, go with hand scrapers. They are a powerful tool against old, stubborn stains and are available both offline and online for cheap. You probably already have a couple of these in the garage if you like to work with wood. A quick reminder to be very gentle with your scraping so that you dont remove too much of the hardwood.
But even if the scrapers do leave some tiny marks, grip paper should help smooth them out. Yes, were talking about careful hand sanding of the affected areas.
Can Pet Urine Damage Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are susceptible, and even if yours are sealed, urine can still cause damage. If your pet caused staining in an area where you havent noticed, the fluids might have soaked into the wood.
In many cases, the hardwood flooring may require sanding and refinishing. However, this will only work if the stain is rather shallow. You might have to replace the wood entirely if the stain is deep.
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As Usual Mop The Floor
Rinsing the floor with warm water removes any remaining detergent residue. Avoid excessive scrubbing of the floor. Use a rag to dab or blot instead. A vacuum cleaner can remove pet hair and other debris from the carpet and upholstery. Once the floor has dried and cleaned, its time to replace the clean carpet.
Is it possible to protect the wood from pet urine damage by sealing it?
Sealing your hardwood floors is a great technique to keep urine from ruining your floors. Its all up to you which floor sealant or pre-finishing product you decide to use. Your major objective is to raise the thickness of the plywood layer that covers the subfloor. Sellotape between your pets paw and hardwood floor is an analogy.
Unlike tiles, hardwood floors are porous. Liquids can seep into the woods lowest layers even if they are very little. The damage to the wood fibers is difficult to notice since it takes time. Mold and mildew can grow in wood because of the moisture that seeps into the wood.
Scratches increase the moisture absorption rate in hardwood flooring from pets claws. Urine can seep into the subfloor if the floor seals are scratched. Even if the outside surface is strong enough to keep liquids out, the small gaps from scratches can still let in harmful moisture.
Read more about removing pet odors from subfloor on inman
How To Remove Cat Urine Smell From Hardwood Floors
Removing cat urine smell from hardwood floors can be challenging. For a home solution, try hydrogen peroxide applied directly to the affected area. Pour the hydrogen peroxide over the stain and then cover it with a clean cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Cover the cloth with plastic wrap, weighting it with a book if necessary. Allow this to sit overnight or for at least 8 hours. The hydrogen peroxide should remove any stains and eliminate the urine odor. However, hydrogen peroxide can lighten the floors and the affected area may need to be sanded and refinished. Hydrogen peroxide also will work for dog urine stains and odor as well.
Determining options for getting cat and dog urine smells out of hardwood floors can seem daunting. If the project seems too overwhelming, it’s time to call in for professional help. Cat urine or dog urine, it doesn’t matter, the at ServiceMaster have the expertise and right equipment to remove urine smell from .
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How To Get Cat Urine Odor Out Of Wood Floors
- Pin
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Estimated Cost: $10 to $20
While you love your cat, as a homeowner with beautiful wood floors, you like your floors, too. But cats and wood do not mix. Cat urine has an unmistakable, ammonia-like, pungent smell that permeates the room and can even extend to the rest of the house. Until the cat urine odor is addressed, it will announce itself every time you enter the house. Older, heavily used wood floors’ porosity makes the problem even worse, since the urine is able to soak into the wood. While it is no simple task to get the smell of cat urine out of wood flooring, it can be done by using the right type of cleaner or, if the problem is advanced, by sanding the floor.
- Scrub brush with nylon bristles
What To Do If Your Cat Pees On Clothing And Linens
If your cat has urinated on a bedspread or linens that need to be dry-cleaned, get the linens to a professional cleaner as quickly as possible. The longer the pee stays on the material the harder it is to get rid of the smell.
If the clothing, linen, or textile item can go in a washing machine, run it through a cold-water cycle immediately and hang it outside to dry, Lund says. If you still smell cat pee after the item dries, try running it through the washing machine again with a cup of baking soda and/or quarter of a cup of apple cider vinegar, and place it outside to dry. Drying the textiles outdoors will help the smell dissipate, says Marrinan.
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How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell From Permeable Hardwood Floor
Permeable floors those having pores and allowing saturation with liquid require urgent action to get rid of pet urine smell. However, normal cleaning as described in the case of impermeable floors might not suffice, and sanding the floor will be required, i.e., removing the top surface of the wooden floor.
Just get the correct sander and begin working on the floor. For engineered wood floors, disk sanders work best, while for solid, drum sanders must be opted for. Keep your cat away while sanding your floor, and do not press the same spot for long or irreparable damage may occur.
Wood Floor Cleaning Tip!
Do not get yourself into unnecessary hard work. Try cleaning the permeable floor the same way it goes for the impermeable one if it shows results, never opt for sanding.
Solution Of Hydrogen Peroxide And Water
Applying the solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is the most efficient way to clean animal urine and stains.
To make the formula, pour a gallon of water in a bucket and mix 3% of hydrogen peroxide.
Then, dip a soft microfiber cloth into the solution and apply it on the affected area. Leave it for a few hours to sit on the spot. It helps to dissolve the dirt formed by urine.
Next, use a soft cloth to wipe away the area to remove the dark spot and odor from your hardwood surface. And then, let the flooring dry.
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Pro Tips To Deal With Pet Stains
We know that you love your pets like you do your kids. But you must not want to have the pet urine and stains on your surface that unsensitized your house. You can tackle the issue by teaching the pet some discipline from an early age. You should start preparing the pet potty training early so that it doesnt poop and urinate on the floor or furniture.
Here are some pro tips that can help you to quickly potty train the pet:
Resources:
How To Remove Black Marks Left By Urine On Hardwood Floors
Judy asked: How do I remove dog urine on a hardwood floor? The wood turned black. I have used vinegar and water.
When hardwood flooring turns dark, its the unfortunate result of moisture penetrating the wood itself. Although there are a few quick fixes proclaimed to work, the only sure way to undo the damage is to restore the floor. Heres what to do.
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Try Basic Baking Soda
This is one of the cheapest and most widely available cleaning agents out there. As a natural absorbent, baking soda is quite effective against floor stains . On top of that, its also an odor detergent. Thats right: instead of masking the bad smell, it eliminates the source of that hideous fragrance. By soaking moisture, it can handle big puddles of liquid, especially from a smooth, sleek surface like hardwood.
So, if you just witnessed your furry four-legged friend do the deed, grab that soda from your kitchen shelves and cover the stain with it. Keep sprinkling until the entire stain is buried in sodabut dont overdo it. Next, give it some time to sit and do its thing. An hour should do in severe situations, leave the soda overnight, then scrub the area with a bristle brush. Go over the spot with a vacuum cleaner to finish the job.
Dont forget to rinse the area and then use a microfiber cloth to dry the floor.
Commercial Pet Urine Stain Removers
This type of cleanser is called enzymatic. They are specifically made to deal with the problematic enzymes in the pet urine which cause the bad smell. You can purchase this in pet shops, home improvement stores, supermarkets and even online.
As well as with the homemade cleansers, test this one too. It is better to be safe than sorry. Go through the manufacturers instructions about how to remove pet stains from hardwood flooring with that particular product.
If you were lucky to catch your pet just as they made the mess, you can clean the spot with a piece of cloth dampened with baby detergent. The diaper sope is specially formulated to break down the organic stains.
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Reasons Why Cats Pee Somewhere Other Than The Litter Box
Before we round up some helpful tips on how to remove cat urine smell from your wood floor, lets consider reasons why cats relieve themselves on the floor and elsewhere other than their litter box. Some of the most common reasons are:
- Your cat has medical issues like diabetes or a urinary tract infection.
- The type of litter used.
- A dirty litter box.
- Your cat is experiencing anxiety or stress.
To Get Rid Of Pet Urine Stains Turn To Enzymatic Cleaners
Ordinary detergents may have trouble eliminating ammonia crystals found in pet urine. Enzymatic cleaners are made to be tough on stains but gentle on hardwood floors because of their enzymatic nature. Rocco & Roxie Professional Stain & Odor Eliminator is an enzymatic cleaner that can remove all kinds of tough stains, including yellow pee.
Its safe to use on hardwood floors because it doesnt contain chlorine. Lets see if you can test it out in an unnoticeable location first. Its possible to test your floors reaction to rugs by placing them in the corners or other designated spots.
Following a successful test of its stain-removing abilities, you can apply it to the urine-soaked area. Wait at least 24 hours before checking to see if the stench has gone away. You may have to repeat the process several times before seeing any results.
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Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Cat Urine On A Hardwood Floor
Overall, hardwood floors are fairly durable and easy to maintain, but cat urine is a still a formidable opponent for any surface. Whether yours are the popular oak or maple floors or you have a pricier wood like teak or black walnut, youll need to use some care to get the stubborn cat pee smell and stain out without damaging the floor.
Everything You Need To Know To Save Your Precious Hardwood Floor From Dog Urine
Most of our houses have hardwood floors. Besides being aesthetically pleasing it is the base of construction for most houses since it is both, a permanent flooring, which can go on for years as well as temporary flooring to make future renovations easier.
As for the pet owners, namely dog owners are faced with difficulties when their dog urinates on their hardwood flooring. To begin with it, might seem like a small trivial matter and owners usually just wipe it off and assume that fixes the issue. Those who have had dog urine for a long time on their hardwood floor can notice the detrimental effect dog urine has, as it eats away at the flooring. With proper care and quick actions this can all be avoided.
This is all you will need to know about dog urine soaking into hardwood floors and how to tackle the situation.
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Use An Enzymatic Cleaner
Enzymatic cleaners remove cat urine smell effectively by breaking down the acids and neutralizing bad bacteria. The commercially available enzymatic cleaners come in various brands, we recommend Live Odor Free which has been developed specifically for eliminating cat pee smell.
Procedure: Blot and remove as much of the urine then soak the affected area with the enzyme cleaner and let sit for about 15 minutes. Next, wipe and blot out the enzymatic cleaner and allow the area to dry.
Clean Floors For Your Pet And You
If you can make cleaning and disinfecting your hardwood floors part of your regular cleaning routine, then you can more easily stay ahead of the trail of messes and pet stains that your pet leaves behind. Youll ensure that your floors and your home are clean for you, your pets, and your family.
1. Clorox® Scentiva® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths are not for use on unpainted wood and unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn surfaces. Test a small area first.2. Swiffer® is a registered trademark of The Procter & Gamble Company.3. vs. Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes4. When used as directed on hard, nonporous surfaces.
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Why Does Cat Urine Smell So Bad
Cat urine consists primarily of urea, urobilin/urobilinogen, uric acid, sodium, creatinine, and pheromones, all of which are in a concentrated form. Bacteria break down the urea, which releases ammonia, resulting in a pungent odor. Also, the pheromones in cat urine get stinkier as they break down, a result of cats in the wild marking their territory and requiring the scent to stick around for as long as possible. This is why typical household cleaners and soaps do little to get rid of the smell of cat urine.
What To Do When You Notice Pet Stains
Finding pet stains on your floor can be discouraging. However, taking quick action can reduce damage.
The first thing you should do is to remove any excess fluid or material. Blot the area using a cloth or paper towel always starting from the edges and working your way in. Beginning in the center of the stain could spread it, causing damage to a larger area.
Once youve gotten rid of most of the mess, its time to tackle the stain and potentially unpleasant odor. Use one of the methods we showed above all are natural and safe to be used in family homes.
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Which Cleaning Chemicals Can Damage Hardwood Floor
During an emergency, you might reach out for strong chemicals to clean the floor. But, I strongly advise you against using harsh chemicals such as ammonia-based cleaning products.
It might not show the negative effects on the floor after cleaning, but eventually, blotches of discoloration and damaged finish will appear.
Additionally, alkaline cleaning products and abrasives are harmful to hardwood floors.
Vinegar is tricky. When used properly and in the right proportion with water, it can help the floors to shine. But, if you overuse it or make a too strong mixture, you will damage the hardwood floor finish.
Lastly, if you have hardwood floors, avoid using store-bought cleaning products that arent labeled for use on hardwood floors. Most of them contain a complex set of chemicals that can damage the floor.
Although You Will Find A Cleaner For Pet Messes In A Local Pet Store Affordable And Safe Cleaners Include The Following:
NOTE: Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide may lighten or discolor your wood floor. You may need to stain and refinish your wood floor after use.
Safety is essential while dealing with strong cleaners. Use gloves and, if possible, a gas mask. Do not riskusing them around pets and children. Keep paper towels nearby as well.
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