When you have a dog, it’s not uncommon for accidents to happen, whether it’s at home or in the car. One of the most unpleasant and persistent issues you will likely face is the smell of dog urine on car upholstery.
The smell is unpleasant, embarrassing, and harmful to exhale to you and animals. The urine can damage the upholstery if you fail to address it promptly. This article will discuss the materials and steps you can take to remove the dog urine smell from car upholstery and preserve its integrity.
Safety Precautions
The materials used for cleaning dog urine from the car can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. You, therefore, need to take proper precautionary measures to ensure your safety and that of your pets.
- Do not allow the dog or any other pet in the vehicle while cleaning
- Ensure the car is well-ventilated to ensure proper airflow when cleaning
- Always wear a mask to avoid directly inhaling any toxins that may be present
- Use medical gloves to void coming in contact with the cleaning chemicals, as some can be harmful
In addition to following these tips, ensure you follow the instructions on the cleaning products carefully and that the area is thoroughly ventilated during the cleaning process. When using each method, you must first identify the affected area of the upholstery, as the urine can sip through the padding and the underlying regions.
Mild Soap Water
Mild soap breaks down and removes any organic matter, such as urine, that may be present on the upholstery. The warm water helps to loosen and lift any dirt or stains. Blotting the area with a clean, dry cloth removes the urine and the solution, leaving the car upholstery clean and smelling fresh.
- Mix a mild soap, such as dish soap, with warm water
- Apply the solution to the affected area using a clean cloth
- Blot the area with a clean, dry cloth to remove as much of the urine as possible
- Allow the area to dry completely
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, which makes it an effective method for removing urine odour from your car. It absorbs the urine odor and neutralizes it, effectively eliminating the smell. Vacuuming up the baking soda removes it from the upholstery, leaving your vehicle clean and fresh.
- Sprinkle baking soda generously over the affected area
- Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the urine odor
- Vacuum the baking soda from the upholstery
Vinegar and Water
Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent and deodorizer, making it an effective method for removing urine from upholstery. It breaks down and removes any organic matter, including urine, that may be present on the upholstery, while the solution neutralizes the urine odour.
- Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle
- Spray the solution on the affected area and allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes
- Blot the area with a clean, dry cloth to remove as much of the urine as possible
- Allow the area to dry completely
Wet Vacuum
The wet vacuum method physically removes the urine from the upholstery rather than just masking the odour. It can remove any remaining urine and its odour by blotting it up as much as possible.
- Use a clean, dry cloth to blot up as much of the urine as possible
- Use a wet vacuum to remove the remaining urine from the upholstery
- Allow the area to dry completely
Odour Spray From Car Upholstery
Odour sprays are specifically formulated to remove pet urine odours, making them an effective method for removing dog urine odour from car upholstery. They usually contain enzymes that break down the urine and neutralize the odour, leaving the upholstery fresh and clean.
- Spray an odour-eliminating spray specifically formulated for pet urine on the affected area
- Allow it to sit for the recommended amount of time as per the instruction on the product
- Blot the area with a clean, dry cloth to remove as much of the urine as possible
- Allow the area to dry completely
Ammonia Granules and Aeration
Ammonia granules effectively remove dog urine odour from car upholstery by neutralizing it. After vacuuming the granules, it’s important to aerate the car by keeping the windows open for some time.
- Sprinkle Ammonia granules over the affected area
- Allow them to sit for at least 30 minutes
- Vacuum the granules from the upholstery
- Aerate the car by keeping the windows open for some time
Final Thoughts
As a pet owner, you understand how fun it can be to ride with your pet, but you can’t deny that it’s frustrating to have a dog urine smell in your car. The smell of dog urine can linger for days, even after you’ve thoroughly cleaned the affected area. If your dog has peed on the seat of your car, don’t let that lingering smell ruin your drive—contact CBC Cleaning and Construction, Inc. At (661) 294-2221 to learn how we can help!