Animal urine is a rather benign substance. When it leaves a healthy animal, it is sterile. In small amounts and low concentration, the odor and appearance may be undetectable. Still, any urine deposit on carpet should be treated appropriately.

If you are lucky enough to catch the animal in the act, you can pour salt liberally onto the urine while it is still wet. Use enough salt to cover the spot completely. The salt will absorb and neutralize the urine. Let it dry for 8-12 hours and vacuum away.

But most of the time, the urine is already dry by the time we find it. In this instance, and if the urine deposit is not more than three days old, you can apply a 50% mixture of WHITE vinegar and 50% CLUB SODA to the affected area. Saturate sufficiently to cover the spot and finish the job by placing a folded towel on the area. Set a weight, such as a book on the towel and leave overnight. The remaining moisture will residue and wick into the towel.

Once urine contamination has reached the point that it has penetrated the carpet and padding, or has turned to a pungent bacteria, removal of the odor becomes more difficult. Heavy urine deposits are much more challenging to treat, and you will need the help of Tru-Clean.

Why? Because urine undergoes a dramatic chemical change as it ages. The water in the urine evaporates and leaves behind organic compounds that become more and more concentrated.

Bacteria begin to consume the urine and break down the proteins, sugars, and other organics. During the process of bacterial digestion, the bacteria secrete ammonia, and a strong, pungent odor becomes apparent. The urine turns from a mild acid to a strong alkali. The strong alkaline deposits attack the dyes in some carpets. Over time, the dyes can be weakened or removed, causing permanent color-loss.

The adhesives used in the carpet backing can be dissolved, and the carpet can literally fall apart. Permanent damage to the wood and concrete sub-floors will also result from deep penetration of concentrated urine deposits, requiring additional expensive repairs. The most critical action to prevent permanent damage is to act quickly when you notice a spot.

Tru-Clean has several techniques available to clean, treat, and deodorize pet contamination. Also, there are different cleaning and deodorizing agents in our arsenal. The decision of which methods and agents to use will depend on several factors such as the amount of contamination present, the depth of penetration, the construction of the carpet, the fiber content, the installation method, the subfloor type and the size of the affected area must all be considered.

There are times when damage is too severe, and the best option is to replace the carpet and padding. In such situations, we can assist by sealing the subfloor and adjacent materials with a specialized odor-counteracting sealer so that the new carpet does not inherit the old odor problem.

If you have a pet odor problem, the best action is to call Tru-Clean for a professional assessment of the situation. We are experts at handling difficult odor problems and can help you to choose the right solution.

Tru-Clean is a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the International Carpet & Rug Institute. In addition, we are A+ Rated with the Better Business Bureau and a six-year-in-a-row-winner of the coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award. Our services are relied upon by interior designers, flooring retailers, veterinarians, property management companies, and referred by restoration and carpet cleaning companies throughout SW Florida.

For more information about our pet urine odor treatment services, please visit us online at www.TruCleanSurfaceCare.com or call us any time at 239-541-4888.