Pets make life fun but the urine they leave behind can permanently damage your flooring. It can also create an unhealthy indoor environment for you and your family. Right after urine has been deposited, it has a pH of about 5 or 6. This is on the acidic side of the pH scale. It is also much easier to remove when they are fresh. When urine dries it turns “alkaline” and has a pH between 10 and 12. It also becomes more difficult to remove. Urine is warm and acidic, and the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to flourish right away. Urine will start to oxidize and react with your carpet. It will change the color of it permanently if it’s not removed immediately. Some of the color change is due to the strong ammonia that forms as the urine passes through a bacterial and chemical change.
Sources of Pet Odor on Carpet
There are two sources of odors that are linked to urine. One comes from bacteria that grows like crazy in a dark, warm environment with all the food it needs. Your pet can feed that bacteria on a daily basis! Amino acids are created with the bacteria growth and the breakdown of the urine. These acids will move deeply into the carpet fibers and become part of them. The gases that the decomposing urine emits creates an unpleasant odor. Any time the urine moistened it will produce ammonia gas. The other source of odor comes from a chemical odor that persists even when the bacteria have been killed. This is the reason that the affected area needs to be sanitized to neutralize odors. The problem will intensify if humidity levels are high. When the urine dries the salts and crystal that are left behind will draw water to them. This is the reason it’s easier to smell dried urine spots in the humid months where moisture will produce ammonia gas.
How Can I Remove Dog Urine Odor from Carpet
If you own pets, it’s a good idea to own a one-gallon wet vac. Having one on hand will make it more convenient when an accident occurs. Remember, you have a much better chance at removing pet odors when they are fresh. Simply suck the urine up and apply a product with a pet odor removal enzyme. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then pour a cup of warm water on the spot and suck it out of the carpet. Dry the spot as best as you can and do not scrub. Scrubbing can break down carpet fibers and remove any carpet protection. This leaves your carpet more prone to future stains.
Older urine spots will need an application of a pet odor removal enzyme followed by a rinse with warm water. Then you can use your wet vac. You will then need a solution of one-part white vinegar with 2 parts water. Apply this solution to the spot, rinse with warm water, and wet vac. The vinegar solution should only be used after 24 hours when the urine has become alkaline. If you use it on fresh urine the acid from the vinegar won’t be able to counter the acid in it.
Carpet Cleaning, Stain & Odor Removal & More in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & the East Bay of California
In order to remove pet odors, all the alkaline salt deposits need to be completely removed. This can be difficult and time consuming, making professionals your best bet. Contact Carpet Care 2000 today!
