If the urine has fully soaked in (say overnight) proceed to the treating step.

1. Soak Up the Urine

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If the carpet is still wet remove as much urine as possible without pushing it deeper into the carpet by placing paper towel on top and allow the urine to soak into the towel without pressing down. Remove the soaked sheet and place in the bucket and repeat until no more urine is soaked up.

Now use the terry cloth (or continue with paper towel).

Place the towel on top of the stain. Working from the outer edge to the middle to prevent spreading the urine press down gently with your fingertips until the towel is soaked (do not rub the carpet as this can damage its fibers). Keep repeating this step using a clean towel. As less urine soaks into the cloth press a little harder until no more is soaked up.

Add a little water to the soiled area either by pouring from a container or use a water spray. To prevent visible urine stains forming on the carpets’ surface, repeat the mopping up routine with clean cloths and more water until there is no more yellow (urine) on the cloth.

2. Treating

• Either use a Pet safe enzymatic product (such as Nature’s miracle) or distilled white vinegar diluted with water (50:50). Both will break down the organic compounds in the pet urine cocktail, including uric acid, which causes the strong odor.

• Pet safe Enzyme cleaner (such as Nature’s miracle, bottle not spray). Costs more than vinegar but may be odorless. Not suitable for wool carpets (or other protein based materials).

• Distilled White Vinegar and Water solution 50:50. The cheapest remedy, it will leave a faint vinegar smell for a while which will deter the pet from reoffending.

• Non enzyme pet cleaner. Check the label to make sure it is suitable for wool carpets and will neutralize the odor forming compounds in urine.

• In order to neutralize the urine below the surface the solution must come into contact with the urine.

• Pour a cup of the vinegar/water solution or the enzymatic cleaner on the stain and an inch or two around the edge. Allow it to soak into the carpet, and down to the padding (aka underlay or cushion) and the subfloor (which is usually plywood or concrete) where the urine has gone.

• Leave for 15 minutes.

• Using a fresh towel remove the excess moisture by pressing down on it, check for any yellow on the towel. It should be clean, but if it isn’t, add more solution and use more cloths until it is.

• Allow to dry at room temperature. A fan will speed up drying, but using heat could damage the rug. Depending on the room’s temperature and level of humidity the lower areas will take a while to dry.

• When dry, give the carpet the sniff test, if you detect urine odor repeat the treatment.

3. Area Rugs

If possible, soak up as much of the urine as possible and then take the rug outdoors for treatment (along with any underlay). It will dry faster outdoors in the fresh air. If the rug was due for cleaning you may as well do the whole of it to avoid any possible water stains.

If you cannot remove the rug, but are able to roll it back this will allow you to treat the rug, any underlay and the floor separately. This way you can insure any areas affected by the urine are properly treated (with either an enzyme cleaner or solution of vinegar and water) and dried out as much as possible.