Prep first
Before you start
- Check the care tag on any fabric item, and if there isn't one, test a hidden spot first.
- Pick up loose hair, litter and solids, and move bowls, beds and toys out of the room.
- Keep the pet out of the area until it's completely dry.
- If a stain is old or set in, treat it first with its own method, then come back to the odor.
Pet odor builds up where animals sleep, eat and go to the bathroom, and it soaks into padding, subfloors and the backing of rugs. The smell you notice is usually the top of a bigger problem, so start by finding every spot that's causing it.
Getting dog smell or cat smell out of a house comes down to finding the source, removing it, and drying the area fully. Start with the bedding, the litter box and any accident spots, since those are the usual sources. Scent sprays only cover the smell, so the real fix is removing the source of the smell.
7 items
What you'll need
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- Paper towels and newspaperThey soak up as much urine as possible before any cleaner goes on. (opens Amazon)
- Black light and chalkUrine glows under black light even when it's old, and chalk marks each spot you find. (opens Amazon)
- Enzymatic cleanerIt works on the urine itself, which is what keeps the odor from coming back. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaIt soaks up odor on soft surfaces and can be added to wash loads. (opens Amazon)
- Wet vacuum or carpet extractorIt pulls the rinse water out so the padding doesn't stay soaked. (opens Amazon)
- Clean, cool waterIt rinses the spot without adding heat or harsh chemicals.
- Washable vinyl or flannel-backed tableclothIt covers furniture that can't be moved and discourages re-soiling.
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Find every soiled spot
Sniff around the room and check rugs, cushions, and the floor along the walls, since the smell is strongest at the source. Then turn off the lights and scan with a black light, because urine glows even when it's old, and outline each spot with chalk.
Tip. Pets often return to the same corners, so check where they sleep first.
Step 2 of 7
Blot up the wet urine
Cover each wet spot with a thick layer of paper towels, top it with newspaper, and stand on it for about a minute. Swap in fresh towels and repeat until the spot is barely damp.
Tip. Work from the edges toward the center so the urine doesn't spread.
Step 3 of 7
Rinse and pull out the water
Rinse the spot with clean, cool water, then pull the water out by blotting or with a wet vac or extractor. Keep going until the spot feels only barely damp.
Careful. Skip ammonia and vinegar cleaners here, since strong smells can encourage the pet to mark the same spot again.
Step 4 of 7
Apply an enzymatic cleaner
Test a small hidden area for staining first, then wet the whole spot so the cleaner reaches the urine itself. Leave it to work and keep the area moist while it sits.
Tip. Older stains may need a couple of days, so apply it again if the smell is still there.
Careful. Don't steam clean the area, since heat sets urine stains and odor and high heat kills enzyme cleaners.
Step 5 of 7
Let the area dry fully
Let the spot air dry, and lay a weighted dry towel on top to pull up any remaining liquid. Keep the pet out until the area is completely dry.
Step 6 of 7
Check the spot with black light
Once it's dry, scan the marked spots again with the black light to confirm they're clean. If anything still glows, it needs another pass before you move on.
Step 7 of 72 to 3 hours
Deodorize the sleeping areas
Sprinkle baking soda over the pet's sleeping spots and nearby soft surfaces, and leave it for 2 to 3 hours. Then vacuum it up so the room smells clean and no residue is left behind.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Look for an enzymatic cleaner made for pet odor, and check that it's safe for your fabric or flooring first. Choose unscented products for pet areas, since fragrance can mask the smell without removing it.
Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover, Enzymatic Cleaner, 32 oz
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Eliminator, Severe Mess
OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant Concentrate
BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on pet odor, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The spot looks clean, and it doesn't glow under the black light or smell like urine when you lean in close after it's fully dry. Check it again once it's dry, since damp padding can still smell even when the top looks dry. If it still glows or smells once it's dry, repeat the enzymatic cleaner and let it dry again.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for the source
Machine-washable items
Bedding, blankets, and washable pet items can take a full wash. Add a one-pound box of baking soda to the regular detergent, then wash as usual.
Air dry the items if possible. Check the care tag first, and skip any item it says not to wash.
Couch or furniture that can't be moved
If the piece is too heavy to move, cover it with a washable vinyl or flannel-backed tablecloth to discourage re-soiling. Check the cushion seams and underside, since urine can soak through to the padding.
Make sure the cleaner reaches the urine, which means wetting the spot thoroughly and giving it time. Let the area dry fully before you put the cover back on.
Litter box and the area around it
Wash the litter box weekly with warm water and unscented soap, or with baking soda, then replace all of the litter. Use an enzymatic cleaner on any accidents outside the box.
Scented cleaners can make a cat develop an aversion to the scent, so keep them away from the box. Stick to unscented products on any surface the cat uses.
Old or set-in stains
Older spots need more time, so let the enzymatic product sit for a couple of days so it reaches deep. Reapply it if the smell is still there after that.
Set-in stains are the ones that have been left for a while, so they need the full soak time. Test a hidden area before you reapply anything stronger.
Leather
Spray the spot with the enzymatic product, let it sit a few days, and reapply if the odor persists. Test a hidden area first, since leather can react to any product.
Keep alcohol, solvents, oils, and polishes off leather, since they can damage the finish. Wipe the area dry once you're done so no product sits on the surface.
Painted or varnished wood
Urine acid can react with paint and varnish, leaving discoloration that may need to be removed and replaced. Check the finish after cleaning so you know whether the damage is only on the surface.
Clean the spot with the same method first, then look at the finish once it's completely dry. Discolored areas may need more than cleaning, so plan on that once you've checked.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Wash pet beds and blankets every 1 to 2 weeks, since bacteria build up where pets sleep or chew, even after a bath. Vacuum sofas and rugs daily if there's a lot of pet hair.
Scoop the litter box every day, and keep the area around it clean.
Between deep cleans, keep your pet's favorite spots tidy and check for new accidents early, before the smell sets in.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Many common cleaners sound useful for pet odor, but several of them make the problem worse. Each cleaner has a limit with pet urine, so check it against the surface before you use it.
Works2Helps1Skip3Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mask the smell with fragrance
Scented sprays and candles only cover the smell for a short time, so the source is still there. Remove the urine first, and save any spray for after the area is clean.
Don't trust a spot that only looks clean
Old urine can soak into fibers and padding below the surface. A spot can look fine on top and still hold urine, so trust the black light more than your eyes.
Don't use fabric softener on pet textiles
Fabric softener coats the fibers and traps odors instead of releasing them. Skip it on pet beds, blankets and anything else your pet lies on.
Don't rush the drying
Enzyme cleaners can upset a pet's stomach, so keep the pet away until the area is fully dry. Check the spot once it's dry before you decide the job is done.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell returns a few days after cleaning
The cleaner probably didn't reach the urine. Wet the whole area and let it sit an hour or two or longer, and give old stains a couple of days.
The spot still glows under the black light once it's dry
Urine glows even when it's old, so the glow means it's still there. Wet the spot with the enzymatic cleaner again, let it dry, and scan once more.
Washed bedding still smells
One wash may not remove all the urine. Wash the item again with an enzymatic cleaner, and check that it's fully dry before the pet uses it.
A stain still shows after the area dries
Use carpet stain remover on the mark once the area is dry. For set-in marks that remain, rent a carpet cleaner.
When to call a professional
Urine that has soaked deep into carpet padding may mean replacing that section of carpet and padding. Have a veterinarian check any pet with regular accidents to rule out medical causes.
Questions
How do I get dog smell off my dog?
Most of the smell in a home comes from bedding, litter and accidents, so start there. If the dog itself still smells, have a veterinarian check it for medical causes.
How do I get rid of dog poop or feces smell?
Pick up any solids first, then work through the same find, blot, clean, and dry order used for urine. Check the spot with a black light afterward, since it shows soiled areas.
Do enzyme cleaners work on pet odor?
Yes, enzymatic cleaners are the best fit for urine odor because they work on the protein in urine. Wet the area fully and give the cleaner time to work, since it can only act on urine it reaches.
How long does it take to get pet odor out?
Most fresh spots clear up in one round of cleaning and a full dry. Old urine can need a couple of days of enzyme time before you can tell whether it's gone.
Is bleach a good choice for pet urine?
No. Bleach can't be used as a carpet cleaner, and it must never be mixed with ammonia, which urine contains. Use an enzymatic cleaner instead.
How do I stop my pet from going back to the same spot?
Make the spot unavailable or unattractive so the pet has less reason to return. Make the right bathroom spot attractive, too, so the pet has somewhere it wants to go.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.