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Pet Damage Restoration Services
Pet urine can cause permanent damage to your floors and fabrics, and it can also create an unhealthy indoor environment. When urine is first deposited onto a floor or fabric, it has a pH of about 5 or 6, which is on the acidic side of the pH scale, making it easier to remove when fresh. As it dries, the urine turns alkaline, reaching a high pH of 10 to 12, making it increasingly difficult to eliminate. The warm acidic state of the urine creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria that begin to flourish almost immediately. In this original acidic state, the urine starts to oxidize and react with the carpet, leading to color changes that can become permanent if not addressed quickly. Some of this discoloration is due to the strong ammonia that forms as the urine undergoes bacterial and chemical changes. If left untreated for days or weeks, depending on the fabric or floor type, it can alter the dye structure, resulting in permanent staining. Even if the soluble deposits are removed, the damage to the dye structure may already be irreversible. For effective pet stain removal and urine odor treatment, consider our carpet cleaning services. We've also listed some Do-It-Yourself stain removal steps below, but you can always feel free to give us a call at One Step Ahead for professional-level treatment!
Do-It-Yourself Pet Stain Removal
What to Know
There are two sources of odors associated with urine. The first comes from bacteria that grow abundantly in dark warm places with a never-ending food source. A pet can feed the bacteria daily! This bacteria growth and breakdown of the urine creates amino acids. These complex organic compounds will often work deep into the fibers to a point of becoming part of the fiber. This can present a challenging situation. The waste materials and gases from the decomposing urine create an unpleasant odor. When dried urine is remoistened, it gives off an ammonia gas. If smelled once it is seldom forgotten.
The second source of odor is chemical odor that is present even when the bacteria have been killed. This explains the reason that more than sanitizing is necessary to neutralize odors from urine. Urine also presents additional odor problems when the relative humidity is high. The salts and crystals that are left behind as the urine dries are hydrophilic and draw water to them. Dried urine is often easy to smell in the humid months because the salts attract the moisture, the moisture evaporates putting out a greater proportion of odorous ammonia gas. You must get rid of the urine salts in and under the carpet to get rid of the odor. That’s why cleaning existing urine spots WILL NOT remove any associated odor. In fact, it could INCREASE the odor in the air space for a temporary period of time.
What to Do
The best tool to have for effective carpet cleaning services is a small one-gallon wet vac, or a small spot removal machine. A small wet vac can be purchased for under $30.00. We recommend using a small machine because the more convenient it is, the more likely you will be to use it in the event of an accident involving pet stains.
If you can tackle the urine while it is fresh, you will have a better chance of complete pet stain removal. Simply suck the urine right out of the carpet. Then apply some of One Step Ahead’s Avenge and let it sit for a few minutes. After that, pour a measuring cup of warm water on the spot and use the wet vac to rinse the carpet. Always dry the carpet as much as possible and refrain from scrubbing or rubbing the carpet, as this can distort the face fiber and break down the fiber protection, making it easier for stains to set in.
If the urine spot is older than 24 hours, first apply One Step Ahead’s Avenge, rinse the carpet with warm water, and then use the wet vac. You can also mix 1 part white distilled vinegar with 2 parts water and apply it to the spot, followed by rinsing with warm water and using the wet vac again. However, do not use vinegar on fresh spots, as the acid in vinegar cannot counteract the acid from fresh urine. The vinegar treatment works best after 24 hours when the urine has turned alkaline, providing an effective urine odor treatment.
Which Cleaning Agents Should I Use?
Enzymes are the best cleaning agent for urine, vomit and feces. An enzyme is the only cleaning agent that actually eats up the bad bacteria. For the best results use an enzyme spotter after you have rinsed the carpet, especially if the spot is not a fresh one. We recommend Nature’s Miracle, which can be purchased at any local pet store. Always read the directions before use!
Which Products Should I Avoid?
Try to stay away from products with high pH such as ammonia, Resolve, and oxygen bleaches. These products will leave the carpet with a residue in a high pH state, which will enable the carpet to attract dirt like a magnet. In some instances the use of the wrong product can cause the urine stain to be permanent. Please call One Step Ahead first if you are not sure about a product you may want to try.
What Happens if the Damage is Severe?
To effectively address urine odor, it is essential to completely eliminate all alkaline salt deposits left behind by the urine. This process can be quite extensive and time-consuming, especially when utilizing professional carpet cleaning services. In more severe cases, the following steps will be necessary for thorough pet stain removal: pulling up the carpet, removing the affected pad, cleaning the back of the carpet, treating the floor with an enzyme treatment, sealing the floor with an odor barrier if needed, treating the back of the carpet with an enzyme treatment, installing a new tack strip, installing a new pad, re-installing the carpet, cleaning the carpet, and topically applying enzyme treatment.