Pets are precious companions but they can be messy at times. It’s not unusual to notice pet urine on your carpets and or upholstery. Pet urine smell is unbearable, so you need to get rid of it as soon as possible. One effective method of cleaning is using a steam cleaner.
Therefore, as a homeowner, you may ask, “Can a steam cleaner effectively remove pet urine odor?” Well, that depends on how you use it, which we explain in this article.
We already understand that a steam cleaner works using heat through steam to loosen dirt and kill microorganisms. But when applied to per urine, it tends to only increase the smell.
The reason behind it is that the hot moisture will bond the proteins into your upholstery and carpet fibers, making the odor more permanent. This is why we recommend using steam cleaning, alongside other methods to permanently remove urine odor.
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So, Does Steam Cleaning Remove Pet Urine Smell?
Steam cleaning can’t remove pet urine smell without being combined with other methods. The urine must be pre-treated and vacuumed first. Otherwise, the odor will only increase.
Disadvantages of Pet Urine in Your Home
The Odor of Ammonia:
The strong smell of ammonia is the most apparent negative effect of pet urine in your home. While all urines contain ammonia, its concentration in pet urine is higher. If inhaled in a poorly ventilated room, it may irritate the eye and skin, cause pneumonia, and lead to cough phlegm, especially in children.
Molds:
When pet urine infiltrates deep into your carpets, for example, some of its elements can attract moisture, which facilitates the growth of mold. Molds like aspergillus and penicillium can cause respiratory problems in the long run.
Growth of Microorganisms and Bacteria:
Some types of bacteria grow inside pet urine conditions. Such bacteria aren’t very dangerous, especially to healthy people but they can still lead to sinusitis, inflammation in the respiratory tract, and allergies.
Children and those with weaker immune systems may suffer more severe consequences. Meanwhile, stains caused by microorganisms and bacteria are hard to clean.
Triggers Re-offense
Pets tend to pee again where they can smell urine. This is why you need to use an effective method to completely get rid of their urine. It’s important to note that they usually have a better sense of smell than humans.
Which Products Can I Use to Neutralize the Smell of Pet Urine?
Enzymatic Cleaners:
Enzymatic cleaners are effective products that remove urine stains and odor effectively from your carpets. They release active bacteria that get rid of ammonia residue left behind by pet urine and any other wastes by feeding on them.
Thankfully, you can easily find enzymatic cleaners in shops around you. We describe the process of using it with a steam cleaner in the sections that follow.
Vinegar and Baking Soda:
Vinegar is an excellent solution that neutralizes the odor of pet urine while killing multiple types of germs and bacteria. It’s non-toxic. Baking soda, on the other hand, is an effective deodorant.
To use them, you need several wet paper towels, equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water, and some baking soda. The process for removing the urine and its odor is described in the next section.
How To Get Rid of Pet Urine Using A Steam Cleaner
Follow these steps to effectively and permanently remove pet urine smell and stains from your carpet using a steam cleaner and a few additional products.
Step 1: Absorb As Much Urine As Possible
If the spot or area is still wet, you’re going to use paper towels to soak up excess urine as much as possible. Place the paper towels above the urine to cover it completely and let them absorb as much urine as possible.
If possible, add a layer of newspapers and stand on them to ensure maximum absorption.
Step 2: Apply The Right Product
Here, you can use vinegar alongside baking soda or simply go for an enzymatic cleaner. Add equal parts of distilled white vinegar (or the enzymatic cleaner) into a spray bottle and spray the solution over the affected area.
Ensure it penetrates as deep as possible by adding a sufficient amount of the solution.
Step 3: Give It Time to Dry Up
Now, give it time around 10-15 minutes to penetrate well and finally dry up. In case you used white vinegar, sprinkle two spoons of baking soda over the surface after it has dried. Give it another 10 minutes.
Step 4: Vacuum and Steam Clean The Area
After it has dried, it’s time to remove all loose dirt, dead microorganisms, and other particles by vacuuming the area. Ensure that you cover all areas of the affected spot with your vacuuming machine.
Then, prepare your steam cleaner and pass the hot moisture over the spot in the same pattern that you vacuumed. All odor and stains should be gone.
Do Carpet Cleaners Get Rid of Pet Urine?
Yes, most carpet cleaners can remove pet urine doors from your home for you. So, if you can’t use our recommendations for one reason or the other, contacting carpet cleaners can do the trick. Always ensure that you’re dealing with a recommended merchant.
Can I Stop My Dog From Peeing Inside the House?
Yes, you can do several things to stop your dog from peeing on your carpets and upholstery. But you first need to understand what has caused the problem, which can be medical, behavioral, or based on age. If it’s medical, visiting a vet is the way out. Otherwise, all you need is to train the dog.
The Bottom Line
It’s now delight that your question, “will steam cleaning get rid of pet urine smell” is comprehensively answered by us. All that remains is for you to take action right now and restore the pleasant environment inside your home.
Good luck!
