How to Remove Pet Odor and Stains: Urine, Vomit and Dog Smell

A pet accident can look clean and still smell, and if your pet can smell it, they may go back to the same spot. To eliminate pet odor for good, you have to break down what is in the carpet or fabric, not cover it with a scent. This guide covers how to remove pet odor and stains from carpet, upholstery and bedding, what to use on vomit, why ammonia and steam make things worse, and when a pet that keeps having accidents needs a vet visit rather than more cleaning. The steps follow guidance from Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States), the ASPCA, the U.S. EPA and the Merck Veterinary Manual.

What to keep on hand

• Thick paper towels or old towels, and newspaper
• An enzymatic cleaner made to neutralize pet stains and odors (the ASPCA notes these are sold at pet stores)
• Baking soda
• Your regular laundry detergent
• A small black light (UV flashlight) for finding old spots

Skip ammonia-based cleaners and vinegar for urine. The ASPCA explains that urine contains ammonia, so cleaning with ammonia can draw a pet back to the same spot. Humane World for Animals gives the same warning about vinegar and other strong chemical smells.

How to clean fresh urine from carpet or a rug

• Soak up as much as you can. To absorb the urine, lay thick paper towels with newspaper on top over the spot and stand on them for about a minute. Repeat with fresh towels until the area is barely damp. Humane World for Animals suggests putting one soaked towel where you want your dog to go, so the smell points them to the right place.
• Rinse with cool, clean water and blot dry again, as Humane World for Animals advises.
• Apply an enzymatic cleaner. Follow the label for how long to leave it. Enzymes break down the waste that causes the smell, rather than covering it with a scent. Give it time to work and let the area dry fully.
• Use a carpet stain remover only after it dries, if any stain is still visible.

Do not use a steam cleaner on urine. Humane World for Animals warns that the heat can permanently set the stain and the odor. If urine has soaked into the padding under the carpet, you may need to replace that section of carpet and padding.

Old stains and odors you cannot see

If a room smells but you cannot find the source, turn off the lights and use a black light. Urine stains usually show up under UV light. Humane World for Animals suggests lightly outlining each spot with chalk so you can find it again with the lights on. Old, set-in stains may need a rented carpet cleaner first, followed by an enzymatic cleaner. Some take more than one round.

Upholstery, curtains and other fabric

For a couch or chair, blot as much urine as you can, then test the enzymatic cleaner on a hidden area before treating the stain. Remove cushion covers and wash them if the care label allows. For a curtain or other fabric that cannot go in the washer, blot and treat with an enzyme cleaner, or check the care label for dry cleaning. Avoid heat until the smell is gone, since heat can set it.

Bedding and washable items

For pet bedding, blankets and washable covers, Humane World for Animals suggests adding a one pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and washing as usual, then air drying if you can. If you can still smell urine, wash again with an enzymatic cleaner added.

How to clean up vomit

• Pick up solids with paper towels or a plastic scraper, lifting rather than wiping.
• Then use the same steps as for urine: blot, rinse with cool water, blot again.
• Treat the spot with the same enzymatic cleaner you use for urine to break down what is left, and follow the label.

The American Kennel Club advises calling your vet right away if your dog vomits often or vomits blood, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours as a reason to see a vet.

The litter box

In homes with cats, a box that is not kept clean is an odor source of its own, and the ASPCA notes that cats avoid messy boxes. The ASPCA recommends scooping at least once a day and, once a week, washing the box with unscented soap or baking soda and replacing all the litter. Avoid ammonia and strongly scented cleaners, which may put a cat off the box. Clean any accident outside the box with an enzymatic cleaner.

Everyday pet smells: air, grooming and fresheners

Air fresheners and air purifiers help less than people hope. The EPA says filters built for particles, such as pet dander, do not remove gases or odors. Units with a gas-phase filter, usually activated carbon, can trap some odors, but the EPA notes that carbon is not especially effective against ammonia. The EPA's first advice is to remove the source and let in fresh air. An air purifier with a good particle filter can still help with dander if anyone in the house has allergies; our post on reducing pet dander covers that.

Be careful with essential oils and scented sprays. The ASPCA lists oils from plants such as eucalyptus, citrus and lemongrass as toxic to dogs and cats. A harsh chemicals smell is not a sign of clean, and pets are closer to the floor than we are.

Regular brushing and baths with a dog shampoo keep normal dog smell down. If your dog still smells strongly soon after a bath, the AKC notes that ear infections, skin infections, dental disease and anal gland problems are common causes. That is a vet visit, not a cleaning problem.

When accidents keep happening

Cleaning removes the odor. It does not fix the reason for the accident. Humane World for Animals and the ASPCA both say to have a pet with repeated accidents checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes first. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists straining to urinate and blood in the urine as reasons to see a vet.

If your vet finds no medical cause, it is a training matter. Take your dog out more often, watch for signs they need to go, supervise or use a crate when you cannot watch, and reward them for going in the right place. Humane World for Animals notes that retraining can take a week or more. Make old accident spots less appealing by cleaning them fully with an enzymatic cleaner and, if needed, blocking access for a while.

Sources: Humane World for Animals (formerly HSUS), How to remove pet stains and odors; ASPCA, Urine Marking in Cats, Litter Box Problems and Animal Poison Control plant list; U.S. EPA, Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home; American Kennel Club on dog vomiting and dog odor; Merck Veterinary Manual, When to see a veterinarian.