How to Remove Old Dog Urine Stains

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: April 20, 2024 References

Removing a dog urine stain is easiest right after it happens, but sometimes you’re not home when your dog has an accident. Fortunately, you may be able to get out old, dried dog urine stains using products commonly found around the house, like liquid dish soap and baking soda. If those methods fail, you still have a chance of removing the stain with commercial products or with the help of a professional.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Dish Soap

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Stir the mixture thoroughly until the water becomes sudsy.^{[1]
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Make sure the entire stain is covered with the mixture. You want the affected area to be soaked with the mixture.

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Try to soak up as much of the liquid from the soap mixture as you can with the paper towel. Vacuum over the area if you’re having a hard time removing the excess liquid from the mixture.^{[2]
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Make sure you rinse the stained area with warm water after you finish so there's no leftover soap. Dry the affected area with paper towel when you're all finished.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Peroxide

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Make enough of the solution that you’ll be able to fully soak the stained area with the mixture.^{[3]
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Press firmly as you're blotting with the rag so the solution gets worked deep down into the stain. Don't rub the stain with the rag.^{[4]
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Cover the entire stain so it's soaked with the solution. Take care not to get a lot of the solution on unaffected areas of the carpet.^{[5]
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Firmly press down on the brush and scrub in back and forth motions across the surface of the stain. If you don’t have a scrub brush, a toothbrush will also work.
Use more paper towels as needed.
Regular store-bought baking soda will work. Leave a thin layer of baking soda over the entire surface of the stain.^{[6]
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Use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Stir the mixture thoroughly.^{[7]
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Use back and forth motions as you scrub. Press firmly down on the scrub brush to help work the solution and baking soda deep into the stain. ^{[8]
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Try to leave the stain as dry as possible when you're finished so there's no leftover solution on the carpet. You can also run a vacuum over the area to remove any leftover liquid.

EXPERT TIP

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

Try this approach from our expert: First, clean the area with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Scrub the area thoroughly with a clean white rag, then rinse the area, making sure you get all of the dish soap out. Dry the carpet very thoroughly. Then, do the same thing all over again, but this time with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. This will help neutralize any odors. Dry the carpet again, then sprinkle baking soda liberally over the entire area. Leave it on for at least an hour, then vacuum it away.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Solutions

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1
Buy a commercial dog-urine stain remover at the store. Commercial stain fighting products come with built in enzymes that help eliminate urine stains and odors. Apply the stain remover to the urine stain and follow the directions on the label.^{[9]
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- Look for products that are specifically designed for use on dog urine stains.
- If you’re worried about the ingredients in a commercial stain remover affecting your dog or your family, look for a stain remover that’s labeled “green” or “all natural.”
Search online for “carpet-cleaning machine rentals near me.” If you don’t want to use the chemical cleaner that comes with the machine, replace it with an all natural cleaner or a homemade cleaning solution. Follow the instructions given by the rental company to remove the stain.^{[10]
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Contact a local carpet cleaner and pay to have them come treat the stain. A carpet cleaner should have the machinery and solutions necessary to fully eliminate the stain and odor from your carpet.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

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Question

I tried the method of white vinegar, baking soda, and peroxide. It bleached our carpet, but the stain is still there! What do I do?

Community Answer

I know it's not homemade, but I use this stuff by OxiClean called "Out." It got out a urine stain that was 4 years old, it's a miracle.

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Question

I have a textured yellow-white rug, and my dog peed on it. What's the best method to remove it?

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Community Answer

Wash it with a stain remover twice in a high temperature wash. After washing, simply let the rug air dry.

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Does the ways of taking the dog urine out of carpet also take out the color of the carpet?

Community Answer

If you use bleach it will. You should just use some water and carpet cleaner. Then just put a towel over top with a heavy book for at least 24 hours. If the urine is still there than repeat step one.

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Tips

If you're having trouble locating an old dog urine stain on your carpet, try using a blacklight to help you find it. Turn off all the lights in the room and turn the blacklight on. The dog urine stain should light up under the blacklight.^{[12]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

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