I’m a Chi mom just like you and I struggle sometimes with the same issues that you do. One of those being urine stains on the carpet. One of those struggles is removing pet urine stains.
When we bought this house one of the things I liked most was the fact that there was no carpet except in the bedrooms and the T.V. room. When you have dogs, even well-behaved housetrained dogs you think of those things. Accidents happen, regardless of how good your Chihuahua is.
In our living room, which is the room you see when you first walk into the door is just for sitting and talking with friends and family. It’s our gathering place unless we want to watch television (or as my UK and Australian followers might say the telly) we do that in our T.V. room downstairs.
When we moved into this house we went shopping for an area rug to put in front of the fireplace in the middle of the living room. I have to tell you I had never before or since paid as much for an area rug as I did that one. But, after all, it was going to be in the room people saw first when they came into our house.
The last year or so before my Chico passed away he had arthritis and could no longer go up and down the stairs to go outside. He found other ways to let me know, however, and I would carry him up and down the stairs to let him out and back in. I thought this arrangement was working well. Until…
I noticed a big spot on the corner of our rug that is hidden from view in front of the fireplace and behind the coffee table. Apparently, I didn’t always notice the signs he was giving to let me know he had to go out and he also later became somewhat incontinent.
Yikes! By the time I noticed, it was not a small stain! I was upset, not at him, but at myself. I should have started to use potty pads so he would use those instead of my beautiful and expensive area rug! I’ve learned a few things over the years about pet urine stains. So, here are some DIY ways to remove stains from a carpet that I have learned over the years.
Tips Before You Begin
Thankfully, I learned a long time ago some tricks and hacks that work for removing urine stains from the carpet. Some of these DIY carpet cleaning tips I learned from my mother years ago.
Always make sure your Chihuahua is in a crate or in another room. This way he not only will not be in your way, but he won’t be able to breathe harmful fumes. Here are some good tips to begin with when trying to remove pet urine stains:
Clean as soon as you can. As in my case, the longer you wait the more difficult it will be to get rid of the stain.
Do NOT rub. If you rub at the stain, particles will be spread and embedded deep into the carpet fibers.
Test the spot first. It is always wise to do a test before you use any stain remover to make sure it won’t discolor the carpet.
DISH SOAP
Using dish soap really does work wonders as a DIY cleaning solution for removing stains on your carpet. Actually, it is one of the best. Dish soap works great for removing chocolate, grease and oil, and more types of stains.
- With the dish soap (most recommended is Dawn) mix 2 cups of cold water.
- Using a white cloth dip into the mixture and gently blot the stain until it is gone.
- When the stain is gone blot it with cold water to blot up what remains of the dish soap.
AMMONIA
This is one of my mother’s favorite to use for certain stains including pet urine stains. It is powerful but stinky. I suggest you open some windows when using ammonia.
Never, and I mean NEVER mix ammonia with bleach! The reason ammonia is especially useful is that it will neutralize odors ground into your carpet. Just be aware that cat urine has ammonia in it and if you have a cat he may assume that you have just added a new litter box for him to take advantage of.
DIRECTIONS WHEN USING AMMONIA:
- Mix 1 cup clear ammonia into 1/2 gallon of warm water.
- Dab the solution on the carpet stain and let it sit for approximately 15 minutes.
- Using a light-colored cloth or sponge blot the area gently until the stain is gone.
- Repeat if necessary
white vinegar
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White vinegar is a cleaning superhero. The following homemade formulas can remove a variety of different stains.
For small stains, mix 2 tablespoons of salt in 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Dab on the stain, let it dry, and then vacuum.
If the stain is a large one (as in my case), add 2 tablespoons of borax to the mixture of white vinegar and salt.
When you have a really tough stain, maybe one that has been ground in, use 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch to make a paste. Rub (yes, you can rub this one) it on the stain with a dry cloth. Let it set for two days and then vacuum.
Have a paint stain? Use 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons laundry detergent, and two cups water. Work this solution into the stain and blot, let dry. Repeat if necessary.
Oh no! You spilled your coffee (or tea) on the carpet! No worries. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Blot the stain, let dry.
BAKING SODA
Getting rid of odors in your refrigerator is not the only great way to use baking soda. If you spot it early enough that the stain is still wet, baking soda is the best choice. It will soak up the fluids from urine or vomit and deodorize your carpet at the same time.
- First blot up as much as you can with a clean cloth
- Pour bakins soda directly on to the stain and pat it gently with a paper towel.
- Let the baking soda sit on top and it will absorb the mixture as well as what is left of the stain and the odor.
- Wait an hour and then vacuum
- You can follow up with a purchased carpet cleaner or one of the other DIY cleaners listed here.
CONCLUSION:
So, I suppose you are wondering about my carpet stain. Well, I’ve tried nearly everything, but it lingers. Poor Chico had been using that spot as his restroom (never poop, just pee) for quite a while before I noticed it. Long enough for it to soak deep into the fibers and the pad underneath. I have tried and failed many times. I had professional carpet cleaners come out and they couldn’t remove it either.
I’m afraid my carpet is a lost cause and we will have to replace it. But, as my mother used to say, “there is no use crying over spilled milk” or in this case urine.
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