If there’s one thing that the Bay area loves, it’s dogs. From San Francisco to Marin County, pups rule the parks, beaches, and, of course, our homes. While they bring plenty of joy to your lifestyle, there are a few trade-offs that can come along with our furry friends – specifically, accidents on the carpet that lead to pet urine stains.

As well as being unpleasant, pet urine stains can quickly destroy your carpet and rugs and ruin the general vibe of your space. They’re also very difficult to clean – we often find that when well-intentioned pet owners try to tackle the issue themselves, things can go from bad to worse.

Here, we explain why it’s so important to get professional help to treat pet urine stains. If you happen to find an accident on your rug or carpet, follow our advice for the best chance at saving it from permanent damage.

Why are pet urine stains so difficult to clean?

Pet urine has a low surface tension, which means it will soak into fibres quickly and easily.

To put it into context, liquids with high surface tension (such as water) have more resistance – if you spill water on your carpet or rug, you’ll notice that it doesn’t all soak in immediately, but beads up on the surface for a while at first.

Pet urine, on the other hand, will very quickly penetrate the fabric of your carpet, rug, or upholstery. In very bad cases, it’ll even get through the padding and into the sub-floor, causing a whole second layer of issues.

Once the urine has soaked into your carpet or rug, it starts to do a lot of damage. Bacteria begins to grow, which causes your home to smell and eats away at the carpet or rug fibres, leading to deterioration and color loss.

Even if you manage to clean the surface of a pet urine stain, the odor and damage will continue to cause problems – as well as gradually destroying your carpet or rug, it might also encourage your dog and other canine visitors to continue marking.

Learn more about the science of pet stains.

Pro cleaners can remove pet urine from your carpet

We have specialized equipment and procedures that are designed to remove contamination and neutralize odors, giving your carpet, rug, or upholstery the best chance of recovery. We can also apply fibre protector post-cleaning, to help your carpets and rugs maintain their quality over time.

Our treatment process will vary depending on whether the stain is on your carpet, rug, or upholstery.

Our in-home service for pet urine carpet stains includes:

• Saturation
• Waste extraction
• Deep cleaning
• Odor neutralization
• Drying (if needed)

If your rug or upholstery has been affected, we’ll take it off-site for treatment at our cleaning facility. Here, we’re able to soak, rinse, extract, and dry your items with the very best products, and customize the treatment process to suit the severity of the stain.

What to do when you find a stain

If you notice a pet urine stain, there may be some things you can do to prevent the damage from getting worse in the time it takes a pro cleaner to arrive and treat it properly.

• Give us a call. Our team can give you a quote, book a service, and talk you through the best next steps, based on the stain you’re facing!
• Typically, it’s best to start by blotting the stain with white cloth towels or paper towels until the moisture I completely absorbed – keep going until it’s as dry as can be. And remember to wear gloves!
• Create a cleaning solution by mixing one part white vinegar with two parts water.
• Use a plain white cloth to massage the solution into the stain spot – don’t rub, but gently work it in.
• Once you’ve diluted the stain as much as possible, blot with more dry cloths or paper towels.

Avoid using over the counter pet stain removers, spotters, or detergent – they can leave residue and cause even more staining or spotting.

Show your carpets, rugs, and upholstery the same kind of love you show to your dog – we can help create a fresh, safe, and relaxing space that you and your canine companions will enjoy. We’re here for pet owners in the Bay Area, from San Francisco to San Rafael and beyond!