Short answer: blot up as much as you can right away, rinse the spot with cool water, blot again, then treat it with an enzyme-based pet stain cleaner and let it work before blotting dry. For old or repeated accidents, urine has usually soaked into the carpet backing and pad, and the smell will keep coming back until it is treated and extracted at that level.
Fresh accidents: step by step
- Blot, do not rub. Press white paper towels or a cloth firmly into the spot. Stand on them to pull up more liquid.
- Rinse with cool water. Pour a small amount on the spot and blot again. Avoid hot water, which can set the stain.
- Apply an enzyme cleaner. Follow the label and give it time to break down the urine.
- Blot dry and let air move over the spot.
Why the smell comes back
Urine does not stay on the surface. It runs down the fibres into the carpet backing and the pad underneath, and sometimes into the subfloor. Surface cleaning makes the top look fine, but the salts left behind absorb moisture from the air. On humid days or after the carpet gets damp, the odour returns. That is why repeated accidents in the same spot are so hard to fix at home.
What not to use
- Ammonia-based cleaners. They smell like urine to pets and can encourage them to go there again.
- Bleach. It can remove carpet colour permanently.
- Steam or very hot water on a fresh spot before the urine is rinsed out.
- Heavy perfume sprays. They mask the smell for a day without removing the source.
When to call a professional
Call when the smell keeps coming back, when there are several spots, when stains have spread under furniture, or when you are preparing to move out or sell. A professional treatment locates affected areas, applies an odour treatment that reaches the backing, then rinses and extracts. In severe cases the pad under the stained area may need replacing, and an honest company will tell you before you pay.
How to find old urine spots you cannot see
The smell often comes from spots nobody noticed. Turn off the lights and use an inexpensive UV flashlight: dried urine usually glows a dull yellow or green. Check along walls, behind furniture, near doors and in corners where pets like to go. Press a white paper towel on suspect areas after lightly misting with water; a yellow tint or strong odour confirms it. Mark each spot with painter’s tape so every one gets treated, not only the obvious stain in the middle of the room.
Stop repeat accidents in the same place
- Remove the odour completely, because pets return to places that still smell like urine.
- Block access to the area for a while, or place a water or food bowl there, since most pets avoid soiling near where they eat.
- Take dogs out more often, especially after meals, play and naps.
- Keep litter boxes clean and in quiet spots, one per cat plus one.
- Talk to your veterinarian if accidents start suddenly, because they can point to a health problem.
When the pad and subfloor are affected
Urine soaks through the carpet into the pad underneath and sometimes into the wood subfloor. Surface cleaning cannot reach it, which is why the smell returns on humid days. A professional treatment uses an enzyme or oxidizing product that is worked down to the depth the urine reached, then rinsed and extracted. In severe cases, the section of pad is replaced and the subfloor is sealed before the carpet goes back down. Ask for an honest assessment before you pay for cleaning that cannot fix a soaked pad.
Professional pet odour removal
UltiClean treats pet urine with deep cleaning and odour treatment across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket. Call (647) 676-0576 or see carpet cleaning and odour removal.
Pet Urine in Carpet FAQs
Does vinegar remove pet urine?
A mild vinegar and water mix can help on a fresh spot, but it will not reach urine that has soaked into the pad. Do not use vinegar on wool without testing.
Can you get old urine stains out?
Often, yes, though some old stains leave permanent colour change. Odour is usually the bigger problem, and that needs treatment below the surface.
Will steam cleaning set the urine stain?
Heat on untreated urine can set the stain. Professionals pre-treat urine spots before hot water extraction.
How do I find old urine spots?
A UV flashlight makes old urine spots glow in a dark room. Mark them before treatment.
Is professional pet odour treatment safe for pets?
Yes, once the carpet is dry. Keep pets off until then.
How often should pet owners clean carpets?
Every 6 to 12 months. Read how often to clean your carpets.
UltiClean treats pet urine and odours across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket. See odour removal and carpet cleaning, or call (647) 676-0576.
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Written by
Carpet, air duct and tile cleaning specialist at UltiClean
Seyedamir (Amir) Vafamand has 12 years of hands-on experience cleaning carpets, upholstery, air ducts, dryer vents and tile and grout in homes across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket. This guide is based on that work.
- 12 years of experience
- 1,100+ jobs completed on Jiffy
- 98% approval rating
- $2M liability insurance
UltiClean Air Duct & Carpet Cleaning Services
54 Limeridge St
Aurora, ON L4G 7X9
(647) 676-0576, open 24 hours, 7 days a week