How to Steam Clean Carpet to Remove Dog Urine

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Owning a pet can be a great life experience, but it is also like bringing a new rambunctious baby into the house. Whether you have a brand new puppy or a dog that simply enjoys marking their territory, you’re going to need to learn how to remove urine from your carpets.

As one of the most talked about disadvantages to being a pet owner, learning how to steam clean carpet to remove dog urine is important for keeping your home clean and smelling fresh. The steps are easy and it won’t take much time out of your day, plus it’s something that every dog owner has dealt with at one point in time or another.

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Why Use a Steam Cleaner for Dog Urine?

There are plenty of reasons as to why you should choose a steam cleaner as your main method for getting rid of dog urine.

Odor Removal

Using a steam cleaner gives you the ability to destroy odor-causing bacteria with the help of heat and water. The steam will penetrate into the deepest carpet fibers to kill bacteria and extract it from the material. You won’t ever have to worry about the stagnant stench of pet urine again.

Stain Removal

Steam cleaners are also great for removing stains especially surface pet stains. When the steam makes its way into the carpet fibers it works against stains by breaking them down and easily removing them. It’s the easiest way to return your carpet to its original crisp look.

Chemical-Free

It can be difficult to find cleaners that are safe to use around pets, particularly if your dog enjoys lying down on your carpets. Steam cleaning is entirely chemical free, so you don’t have to worry about creating a harmful environment for your dog.

Cost Effective

Since there’s no need for chemicals inside of the steam cleaner, it can be far more cost effective. You’ll also have a cleaner at your disposal for whenever you need it. For example, if your dog uses the bathroom on your carpet 3 days after cleaning it, you won’t need to hire a crew to come clean it again as you can spot treat the area on your own.

Learning How to Steam Clean Carpet to Remove Dog Urine

The process is simple and only requires a few steps to remove urine out of your carpet. You can also use the same steps to deal with any type of pet and human stains.

Step 1: Moving Furniture

The important thing to remember about carpet cleaning is once you steam clean one section, it’s going to be substantially brighter and cleaner than other areas of the floor. You will need to prepare to clean the entire carpet; otherwise you’re going to have to look at splotches.

Move all of the furniture out of the room, including any standing décor, to give you a clear path for cleaning. You’ll need to have a clear path to make sure that you get every possible stain that might be hidden under the furniture.

Step 2: Vacuum the Floor

Although you might be itching at the idea of pulling out the steam cleaner and starting, the first thing you have to do is vacuum the floor. Regardless of if you have plush or low-pile carpets, there can be an absurd amount of hidden loose dust, pet hair, and dirt in the carpet. When dirt gets wet it can stain floors and it can get embedded in its fibers.

Take your time while vacuuming, as you’ll need to pay special attention to all areas, including corners and crevices. Also, make sure that you use the cleaning attachments to focus on the ends and tops of baseboards.

Step 3: Spot Treat Hard Stains

If you find that there are hidden urine stains underneath the furniture or if you simply haven’t had the time to clean any stains off of your carpet, you’re going to need to spot treat them.

Even though your steam cleaner is very effective at removing stains, ones that have been embedded in your carpet for months can be more difficult. You can choose to either purchase a store bought pet-safe stain remover or you can combine distilled vinegar, mild dishwashing liquid, and anti-foamer.

Make sure to concentrate on the deepest and darkest stains first. You’re going to need to allow the stain treatment to soak into the carpet fibers for a few moments. You can then dab the stain away with a warm wet cloth to lift it away.

The stains do not have to be completely removed by using a stain treatment, but they should be substantially lighter before you begin steam cleaning.

Step 4: Preparing the Steam Cleaner

Now that your floors have been vacuumed and stains have been spot treated, it’s time to get the steam cleaner ready. By using distilled water in the reservoir tank, you’re helping to make sure that there won’t be any residue left behind on the carpets. Minerals and other particles found in regular tap water can cause your floors to get crunchy after being steamed.

All you have to do is fill the water reservoir and plug the steam cleaner into the wall, allowing the unit to warm the steam to its desired temperature. Depending on the unit you own, you might be able to adjust the heat and steam settings based on the material you’re working with.

Step 5: Steam Cleaning the Carpet

By working in a vertical pattern, begin the carpet cleaning. You’re going to want to take slow and steady strokes to allow the steam to work into the fibers and to also allow the water extraction to soak up excess water. As you make passes along your carpet, you’ll begin to notice an incredible difference between the clean and dirty side.

The best advice when it comes to steam cleaning is to make sure that you work your way from the far end of the room towards your exit. Otherwise, you’re going to have to walk across your clean carpet when you’re done.

Step 6: Allow the Carpet to Dry

Before you begin moving furniture back into the room or walking on the floors, make sure that you allow between 1 and 3 hours for the carpet to dry. Any excess pressure on the wet carpet could push water into the padding, which can lead to the production of mold and mildew.

To help speed up the drying process, consider setting up a fan just outside of the room and opening windows.

A dog can be your best friend, but they can also make quite a mess. If you’re living with a dog that isn’t potty trained, you’re going to need to use this guide to help you learn how to steam clean carpet to remove dog urine.