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2 DIY Homemade Enzyme Cleaner Recipes for Dog Urine Smell & Stain Removal

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By Nicole Cosgrove

puppy peeing inside the house

If you don’t use the right cleaner to clean up dog urine, they’ll keep heading back to the same spot to pee again. But enzyme cleaners from the store can be expensive, and they don’t always work!

The truth is that making an enzyme cleaner to clean dog urine is easier than you might think, and chances are that you already have everything that you need! We highlighted the most effective formulas for both new and old stains here.

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The Most Effective DIY Recipe for Old Urine Stains

What You Need:
  • White vinegar
  • Warm water
  • Baking soda
  • Spray bottle
  • Paper towels
  • Vacuum

If you’re looking to remove old stains, you might be surprised by how easy it is to make and use an effective formula. All you need are equal parts white vinegar and warm water, a touch of baking soda, and a vacuum!

Once you’ve combined the vinegar and the water, simply add it to a spray bottle, spray the affected area, and work it in with a brush. Then, blot the area with a paper towel to soak up any excess. Do not scrub — just blot.

Once the area is damp, sprinkle a little baking soda over the spot, and let it dry. Don’t do anything to speed up the process; just let it sit until it’s completely dry. Finish by vacuuming up the baking powder and repeat the process as needed for ideal results.

person spraying on the carpet
Image Credit: Syda Productions, Shutterstock

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The Most Effective DIY Enzyme Cleaner Recipe for New Spots

What You Need:
  • White vinegar
  • Warm water
  • Baking soda
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide
  • Spray bottle
  • Paper towels
  • Vacuum
  • Disposable gloves (optional)

The best time to clean up a urine spot is as soon as you see it, so if you found a fresh spot, you’re in luck! Start by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and warm water, and spray it generously over the affected area.

Dab the area with a paper towel to soak up the water, vinegar, and urine mixture — you might want to wear disposable gloves for this part. Don’t rub, scrub, or do anything else — just dab!

Once you have the area slightly damp, apply a small amount of baking powder and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Allow this mixture to settle in and dry naturally before vacuuming up whatever is left when it’s dry.

Repeat the steps to remove an old stain as needed to finish the job.

Getting Rid of the Smell

If you think that you can simply clean up the mess and the stain and smell will immediately dissipate, you’re probably going to be a little disappointed. That said, if you don’t already own an air purifier, you probably want to look into getting one.

Candles or scented sprays only mask the odor, they don’t eliminate it. Eventually, the candle burns out or the spray dissipates, and the odor will linger and settle into the carpet or surrounding area.

Even if you can’t smell what’s left floating around in the air or what settled into the carpet, chances are that your pet can. If your pet can smell urine in the area, there’s a good chance that they’ll come back to urinate again.

What you’re left with is a reoccurring stain, an extremely frustrating problem, and an excess of homemade enzyme cleaner!

beagle is sniffing the carpet
Image By: Oksana Shufrych, Shutterstock

Why Using the Best Stuff Is Important

When you’re cleaning up urine stains, whether they’re fresh or old, it’s vital that you use the best of the best. If you go for something subpar, then you’re not cleaning up everything, and there’s a good chance that your pup will head there to pee again, putting you back at square one.

The wrong cleaners can also stain your carpet or fail to get up stains. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to get up.

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Final Thoughts

You don’t want your dog constantly peeing on the carpet, but you don’t want to spend a ton on enzyme cleaners, either. With the DIY enzyme cleaners here, you can get the best of both worlds: a stain-free, odor-free home, all without spending a ton of money on commercial products!

The best part is that both methods are completely natural and actually work!


Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

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