Ah, the joys of having a puppy – the cuddles and precious playtime are memorable! How about the occasional accident on your beautiful hardwood floors? I know that cleaning a pet's pee can be a nightmare. I’m a victim!
Wondering how to clean puppy pee on a hardwood floor?
Blot the pee with paper towels. Next, mix water and vinegar, then gently scrub the spot. Rinse with plain water and dry thoroughly. This also helps to remove odors, keeping your floors clean and fresh.
Here are easy methods for freshening your home and restoring your floors' beauty!
Let's get started.
How to Clean Puppy Pee on Hardwood Floor
Cleaning up puppy pee from a hardwood floor is vital to prevent damage and odors. Here's how to do it:
- Act Quickly: Use paper towels or a cloth to soak up the pee. Press firmly to absorb as much as you can.
- Try a gentle cleaning solution: Add 2 to 3 drops of vinegar to a mixture of mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Use the solution to clean the area to eliminate the stain and pee odor.
- Scrub Gently: Dip a soft cloth or sponge in the cleaning solution and gently dab the affected area. Avoid being too hard on the floor to prevent scratching the wood.
- Rinse and Dry: Thoroughly rinse the area with clean water and then dry it carefully with a towel or microfiber cloth.
- Neutralize Odors: Sprinkle baking soda on the area and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it to neutralize any lingering odors.
- Prevent future accidents: Try using puppy pads or taking your puppy outside more frequently. Consistent potty training is vital to keeping your floors clean and avoiding accidents.
If you prefer using commercial products, buy those safe for pets and humans, such as Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator. Seventy percent of Amazon’s clients love it. For example, KK from Amazon says, “Absolutely Amazing!”. Sonja, on the other hand, says, “Does what it's supposed to, could smell better though.” Daniel Villaseñor says, “I finally found the solution!!”
Procedure
- Apply enough amount on the affected area
- Let the spray cleaner sit for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Blot using an absorbent cloth and let the surface air dry.
Following these steps promptly and gently cleaning the area can effectively clean puppy pee from hardwood floors and prevent long-term damage.
Does Puppy Pee Damage Hardwood Flooring?
If not addressed quickly, puppy pee can damage hardwood flooring! The acid in the pee can break down the hardwood floor’s finish. The pee's acids and salts can stain the wood, making it darker in some places.
Also, the wetness from the pee can make the wood swell and bend, making it uneven and possibly dangerous to walk on.
DIY Cleaning Solutions for Puppy Pee Accidents on Hardwood Floors
If your puppy has accidentally peed on your hardwood floors, use DIY cleaning solutions to tackle the mess effectively:
- Vinegar and water solution
- Baking soda paste
- Hydrogen peroxide solution
- Lemon juice
Vinegar and Water Solution
Combine white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Spray it on the spot where your puppy peed and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Allowing the solution to sit helps the vinegar soak in and lift the pee out of the wood. Vinegar is acidic; hence, it neutralizes the bacteria in the dog’s pee, eliminating its odor.
Use a clean cloth or paper towel to remove the liquid and any leftover mess. Rinse the spot with plain water and dry it well with a towel.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda, likely in your kitchen cupboard, is a great natural odor eliminator for pet urine. It works effectively on wet or dry pee stains.
Sprinkle baking soda on the spot after blotting up any extra wetness using a paper towel. Let it sit overnight to soak up any remaining odors.
Vacuum up in the morning; the smell should be gone, and the surface completely clean.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Wear rubber cleaning gloves and a mask when working with hydrogen peroxide. Also, be extra careful when using hydrogen peroxide; it can bleach the hardwood flooring.
Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a clean spray bottle. As with every other cleaning agent/solution, spray a small amount on an inconspicuous area and allow it to sit for about 3 minutes. Check for any discoloration or other damage on the floor. If there is damage or discoloration, don’t use the product. If not, proceed.
Spray a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the peed area. Let it sit for about 3 minutes, then wipe with a lint-free microfiber cloth. If it’s an old pee stain, apply some force when scrubbing the surface to remove it completely.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, with its natural acidity, effectively neutralizes the strong ammonia odor from puppy pee.
Mix water and lemon juice at a ratio of 1:1 and put it in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the affected area, making sure that it’s thoroughly covered. Let the solution sit for about 4 minutes, then scrub with a dry absorbent cloth.
Dip another cloth in distilled water and rinse the area thoroughly.
Seeking Professional Advice for Severe Puppy Pee Damage
If your hardwood floors have severe damage from puppy pee, it's time to seek professional help.
First, contact a flooring specialist or a hardwood floor professional cleaner who knows about pet stains. Explain the problem and schedule an inspection/cleaning service.
Conclusion
Cleaning puppy pee on hardwood floors needs quick action and the correct cleaning methods to stop stains and smells while preventing floor damage.
You can use lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, plain water, baking soda paste, or a commercial product such as Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator.
The key is to do a spot test to ensure you won’t damage your floor while cleaning puppy pee.
