You love your pets, but sometimes accidents happen. If your pet piddles in your home, don’t rush out and spend a fortune on the latest miracle cleaning solution. Instead, try one of several one-ingredient home remedies that are simple, safe and effective.
Vinegar
While it may seem like using vinegar to remove a urine odor would leave your house smelling like vinegar, the is actually a very effective odor neutralizer. Put white vinegar in a spray bottle and use it to saturate the offending area. Leave it in place for a few hours, then go over it with a steam cleaner. If you’d rather, leave the vinegar until it dries: As the vinegar smell fades, so will the odor of urine. Always test a hidden area of the carpet beforehand to make sure the vinegar doesn’t affect the color.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can neutralize strong odors and is harmless to you and your pet. Sprinkle baking soda over the smelly area, and work it in well with a broom or a scrub brush so that it gets to the odor’s source. Let it sit for about 24 hours, then vacuum the area thoroughly. The soda will come up, bringing the urine odor along with it. If the smell is really bad, make a baking soda paste by mixing it with a bit of water. Then rub it in well and allow it to dry before vacuuming the area.
Corn Starch
Corn starch works along the same lines as baking soda, though its use as a deodorizer is not as well known. Sprinkle it thickly over the soiled area and work it in with a broom or a brush, then leave it for at least 24 hours. If the odor is particularly troublesome, spray the area with water until the corn starch is wet all the way through, then leave it until it dries. Vacuum up the residue to remove the corn starch and the odor.
Bleach
Chlorine bleach will effectively remove pet urine odors from a concrete surface. Use this method for smells on your patio or in the garage, but use care when handling bleach. Bleach can damage your clothing, carpets and furniture; neither you nor your pet should breathe the fumes. Put some bleach in a spray bottle and apply it full-strength to the affected area. Leave it for an hour or two, then rinse well. This method also works for wooden decks, but test all surfaces for colorfastness in a hidden area before applying bleach.
